MaxPreps Top 10 interstate football matchups for 2012

MaxPreps takes a look today at  the Top 10 outstanding interstate football matchups that will take place this fall. Many of them will come early in the season, due basically to the influence of television and that they nearly all are nonleague contests.

Five of those games will feature two teams currently ranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 and No. 11 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) will be tested twice in those mega clashes.

Top 10 interstate football matchups of the 2012 season

Aug. 24: No. 10 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) at No. 11 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Good Counsel, which posted a 12-0 record last year en route to the championship in the tough WCAC, must replace two-way star Stefon Diggs, who was the Washington, D.C., Player of the Year.



However, coach Bob Milloy (365-106-1 career record) has plenty of talent returning, led by 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior quarterback Brendan Marshall, who has committed to the University of Virginia. The leading ballcarrier is expected to be Dorian O'Daniel, who has committed to Clemson.

Gorman continues to build on its recent success, which includes a 70-5 record and four state titles over the last five years.

The Gaels return 12 starters, including three-year quarterback Anu Solomon, who has thrown for 7,264 yards and 105 touchdowns with just 12 interceptions during his career. He will be throwing to three Division 1 receivers, making this game appear to be an aerial circus. Juniors Randall Cunningham and Nathan Starks also should make major contributions.

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Aug. 25: No. 13 Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) at No. 20 Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.)

This will be a "must" win for Byrnes if it is to be in the national-title hunt. It finished strong last year and will count on a talented, veteran air attack. Quarterback Shuler Bentley will be throwing often to experienced receivers Tavin Richardson and Akia Booker.

Oscar Smith's defending Group AAA Division 6 state champs will count on Dashawn Blow to step in at quarterback and Deshawn McClease to become an immediate star at running back. McClease ran for 305 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman.

Coach Richard Morgan told the Virginian-Pilot that the speedy McClease is "a special ball player and can do a lot of things on the field. He's a touchdown waiting to happen."



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Aug. 25: No. 4 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) vs. Brophy College Prep (Phoenix) at Phoenix College

Santa Margarita is loaded with talent and experience and will be in the hunt for the national title. Senior quarterback Johnny Stanton will be hard to stop. Protected by a huge line, his favorite targets will be running back Ryan Wolpin and receiver River Cracraft. Coach Harry Welch is one of the best in the country.

Though an underdog, Brophy Prep has some dangerous weapons of its own. Start with quarterback Tyler Bruggman, who has committed to Washington State. He has an explosive target in track star Devon Allen. The defense will be strong with an exceptional corps of linebackers.

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Aug. 26: Gilman (Baltimore) at No. 19 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)

Former national champion Moeller has its deepest team - both offensively and defensively - in years. The defense will be spearheaded by linebacker Shane Jones, who has committed to Michigan State University. Spencer Iacovone and Keith Watkins are outstanding backfield performers.

Gilman, bidding to climb into the Xcellent 25, will counter with the leadership of signal caller Shane Cockerille, who has committed to the University of Maryland. Anchoring the defense will be Henry Poggi, son of head coach Biff Poggi, who has built his program into a consistent power on the national stage.

The first three games are tough and will determine Gilman's fate for 2012.

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Aug. 31: No. 24 Hoover (Ala.) at South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)

Hoover returns 11 starters from a rebuilding season and adds what appears to be an outstanding sophomore class. Coach Josh Niblett (54-6 in four years) told the Birmingham News that he projects 10 or 12 sophomores to find starting positions on offense, defense or special teams.



Senior safety Devon Earl, a South Alabama recruit, brings guidance to the defense and cornerback Marlon Humphrey brings superb talent. Senior quarterback Connor Short is ready for a full season after taking over at midseason when the starter was injured.

South Panola had dominated Mississippi until the past couple years and is coming off a 9-4 rebuilding campaign. Dynamic two-way starter Antonio Conner is the key returnee. Junior Rip Kirk will move in at quarterback and will be protected by a huge offensive line, led by Mississippi State University recruit Deon Mix.

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Sept. 7: No. 14 Plant (Tampa, Fla.) vs. No. 6 Curtis (River Ridge, La.) at the Louisiana Superdome

The John Curtis Patriots have the unusual luxury of returning two starting quarterbacks. Abby Touzet filled in for Patrick Morton when he was injured and finished the season. They also have a half-dozen capable running backs with more speed than usual. They must, however, build up their defensive line.

In 42 years at the helm, John T. Curtis has earned legend status by compiling a spectacular 506-54-6 record.

The Plant Panthers have several Division 1 offensive linemen returning, led by senior Richy Klepal. Wesley Bullock gives them a go-to runner after rushing for 1,308 yards last fall. Senior Aaron Banks is expected to earn the quarterback slot. Plant lost a top receiver who moved out of state, but a good one has transferred in to help make up for the loss.

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Sept. 14: No. 17 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) at No. 11 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Bishop Gorman, with its great air attack, gets another shot at playing host to a Top 25 team and moving up in the rankings.



Bergen Catholic will bring a high-powered offense of its own to Las Vegas, with quarterback Jonathan Germano throwing to Kyle Queiro and J.J. Kulcsar. Junior Garrett Dickerson, a two-way end, will anchor the defense, which returns a half dozen starters.

Still, Bergen Catholic's biggest game always will be against state rival Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), another nationally ranked opponent.

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Sept. 14: No. 21 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

The Don Bosco Ironmen boast the nation's second-longest winning streak (46 games) and have won two of the last three national championships. However, they lost heavily from 2011 through graduation and transfers, returning just three starters on each side of the ball.

Still, highly successful coach Greg Toal will produce another winner and could spring a few surprises. He will rely on a stout defensive line paced by end Al-Quadin Muhammad. The offensive line also will continue to be a strength, although it has a few holes to fill. Three players are vying for the starting quarterback position.

Aquinas does return eight offensive and four defensive starters from last year's 10-3 team. They will have their No. 1 player at most positions as they attempt to climb back into state title contention after winning their last Class 5A championship in 2010.

Ohio State University recruit Joey Bosa, a 6-5, 275-pound senior who plays end and tackle, will anchor an outstanding defense. He will get great support from juniors Anthony Moten (6-3, 235) and Eddie Curry (6-1, 230), as well as senior Lance Virgil (6-2, 200).



Aquinas and Don Bosco have accounted for the last four national championships, but will be meeting for the first time.

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Sept. 14: St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at No. 12 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)

Trinity finished No. 2 nationally in 2011 and has most of its weapons back. The offense will be especially powerful with senior wide receiver James Quick (6-1, 180) ranked as the No. 44 player in the country by CBS/MaxPreps recruiting analyst Tom Lemming. Travis Wright and Dalyn Dawkins are other key offensive cogs.

St. Xavier, often ranked among the nation's Top 25, does not have that distinction this time around and it will face its annually rugged schedule.

However, it does return six starters on offense and the same number on defense and could pull some major upsets. Key players will be wide receivers Trey Kilgore, a 6-1, 180-pound senior, and Kevin Milligan, a 5-8, 185-pound senior. Defensively, Mark Jacob, a 6-1, 215-pound end/linebacker, will lead the way.

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Oct. 27: No. 12 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) at No. 19 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)

Bidding for a possible national championship, Trinity has about six weeks between facing perennial powers from Cincinnati. This time, Moeller will be an even more formidable foe, being ranked only seven notches below Trinity in the preseason.

Cincinnati LaSalle coach Tom Grippa told Cincinnati.com, "We have two or three Division 1 guys. Moeller has more than that. They have a Division 1 player at every position, I think."



Senior linebacker Shane Jones already has committed to Michigan State, while senior offensive lineman Alex Gall has chosen Miami (Fla.) and senior tight end Evan Jansen has selected Indiana. More commitments are expected in the future.