MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

Our weekly look inside the Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week begins in Southern California's Trinity League, rated the second-toughest high school football league in America by MaxPreps.

Holding down the No. 5 spot in this week's MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) still has a shot at a mythical national championship. But the Braves must first win the Trinity League, and the latest obstacle in their path is Mater Dei (Santa Ana). The Monarchs look to bounce back from an upset loss to Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) that spelled their exit from the Xcellent 25.

There are five more games in this week's Top 10 lineup involving Xcellent 25 teams. The highlights include No. 9 Katy (Texas) trying to extend its 46-game regular-season winning streak and capture a district crown when is plays crosstown rival Cinco Ranch, and No. 21 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) will travel to Philadelphia to take on a talented Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton, Md.) team that hasn't played a game in its own home state all season.

Jamie DeMoney correctly selected eight out of 10 winners in last week's games while Stephen Spiewak went just 5-5. That leaves the two tied for the lead in our season-long predictions contest with a 70-29-1 record. Leland Gordon, who picked seven out of 10 correctly last week, is only one game back.



Here's a look at this week's Top 10 games along with predictions by MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Leland Gordon, Colin Ward-Henninger and Jamie DeMoney.


Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)

What to watch: Mater Dei's hopes for a Trinity League title depend upon upsetting undefeated St. John Bosco. Last week's 16-7 loss to Santa Margarita was a tough outing for senior quarterback Chase Forrest, who was picked off three times -- equaling the total number of interceptions he threw in the seven previous games. On the other hand, St. John Bosco junior quarterback Josh Rosen was on the money last week in a 48-7 blowout over JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano). The five-star prospect had two touchdown passes in the game to bring his total to 17 for the season.

Just the facts: All six members of the Trinity League are among the Top 12 of MaxPreps' Pac-5 Division playoff rankings. St. John Bosco is No. 1 and Mater Dei checks is No. 3. … Friday's game will be the ninth meeting in the series since 2004. St. John Bosco has won the last two meetings after Mater Dei had won the previous six in a row.

Mitch Stephens: St. John Bosco 28, Mater Dei 24
Kevin Askeland: St. John Bosco 40, Mater Dei 14
Jamie DeMoney: St. John Bosco 31, Mater Dei 7
Stephen Spiewak: St. John Bosco 35, Mater Dei 28
Leland Gordon: St. John Bosco 21, Mater Dei 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. John Bosco 28, Mater Dei 21
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Hoover (Ala.) at Opelika (Ala.)

What to watch: This Thursday night special is a rematch of last season's Class 6A state championship. Hoover won that game big (31-0) to claim its seventh crown since the turn of the century. Led by a defense that is giving up less than a touchdown per game, the No. 13 Bucs (9-0) have outscored opponents by an average of 33 points. Opelika began the season with six straight wins, but has dropped two of its last three, including a 21-14 loss last week against archrival Auburn.

Just the facts: A win gives Hoover a third undefeated regular season in four years. The Bucs are 122-11 against Alabama opponents and 130-14 overall since 2004. … Before finishing runner-up in the state playoffs last season, Opelika had failed to qualify for the postseason the three previous years.



Mitch Stephens: Hoover 35, Opelika 28
Kevin Askeland: Hoover 30, Opelika 24
Jamie DeMoney: Hoover 25, Opelika 13
Stephen Spiewak: Hoover 31, Opelika 17
Leland Gordon: Hoover 41, Opelika 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Hoover 42, Opelika 21
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St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) at DePaul (Wayne, N.J.)

What to watch: DePaul must pull an upset against No. 4 St. Joseph Regional Friday night to stay in the hunt to win the Big North-United, rated the nation's toughest football league by MaxPreps. The Spartans (6-1) have won five straight after a Sept. 21 loss to then-nationally ranked Paramus Catholic. Included was a surprising 35-25 win the following week against Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey). Meanwhile, No. 4 St. Joseph Regional (6-0) is fresh off a 27-13 win over Paramus Catholic. Senior running back Sherman Alston (a Boston College commit) was a workhorse for the Green Knights, rushing 30 times for 114 yards and a touchdown.

Just the facts: The leader of DePaul's offense is senior quarterback Zach Bednarczyk, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound Villanova recruit. He's thrown for 973 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. … SJR has won all five games against DePaul since this series began in 2009. The average margin has been 24 points.

Mitch Stephens: St. Joseph Regional 35, De Paul 21
Kevin Askeland: St. Joseph Regional 38, DePaul 31
Jamie DeMoney: St. Joseph Regional 34, DePaul 24
Stephen Spiewak: St. Joseph Regional 42, DePaul 24
Leland Gordon: St. Joseph Regional 31, DePaul 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Joseph Regional 45, DePaul 14
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Katy (Texas) at Cinco Ranch (Katy, Texas)

What to watch: With a win Saturday, Katy would clinch at least a share of a 12th district championship since 2000. The No. 9 Tigers (8-0) extended their regular-season winning streak to 46 games and their overall unbeaten streak to 24 with a 49-7 rout of Strake Jesuit (Houston) last week. Playing in place of injured Texas A&M-bound junior running back Rodney Anderson, sophomore Kyle Porter stepped up big time with 198 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Cinco Ranch (7-1) must beat Katy to keep hopes alive for its first district co-championship since 2008. That season was the last – and only time – the Cougars have ever beaten Katy.

Just the facts: Katy has played 33 games against rival schools from the Katy ISD over the last 10 seasons and won all of the games with the exception of a 27-21 loss to Cinco Ranch in 2008. … Since 1991, Katy has captured six state championships and averaged 12.5 wins per season.

Mitch Stephens: Katy 35, Cinco Ranch 24
Kevin Askeland: Katy 42, Cinco Ranch 41
Jamie DeMoney: Katy 24, Cinco Ranch 10
Stephen Spiewak: Katy 28, Cinco Ranch 17
Leland Gordon: Katy 38, Cinco Ranch 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: Katy 35, Cinco Ranch 28
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Pearland (Texas) at Manvel (Texas)

What to watch: A chance for No. 18 Pearland to solidify its presence in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings. The Oilers have been totally dominant with a 416-27 cumulative margin of victory in their first eight games. However, their opponents' combined won-loss record is just 17-47. Friday's game versus District 22-5A rival Manvel will be a major step up in competition. The Mavericks have won six straight games since a Week 2 loss to state-ranked North Shore (Houston).

Just the facts: According to the Texas High School Coaches Association's Pressbox Services, Pearland's defense has intercepted 18 passes and returned six of them for touchdowns this season. … Manvel has a cumulative record of 57-23 with one state championship game appearance since its first varsity season in 2007. In the only other meeting in this series, the Mavericks defeated Pearland last year, 42-28.



Mitch Stephens: Manvel 24, Pearland 21
Kevin Askeland: Pearland 48, Manvel 28
Jamie DeMoney: Pearland 23, Manvel 20
Stephen Spiewak: Manvel 21, Pearland 7
Leland Gordon: Manvel 27, Pearland 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Manvel 24, Pearland 21
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St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) vs. Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton, Md.)

What to watch: A Saturday afternoon neutral-site meeting between an established national power in St. Edward and a talented-stacked Eastern Christian Academy program that seeks to elevate to that level. Eastern Christian Academy (7-1) has wins over teams from Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Ohio – including a 32-29 defeat of St. Edward's chief rival St. Ignatius (Cleveland). The only loss this year for St. Edward was to St. Ignatius on Oct. 19. However, the No. 21 Eagles (7-1) bounced back with a 45-42 win over previously unbeaten and defending Division I state champion Moeller (Cincinnati) last week.

Just the facts: According to the Washington Post, Eastern Christian Academy was formed by David Sills IV, the father of Honey Badgers' quarterback David Sills – a Southern Cal commit since he was a seventh-grader. Many of the team's current players started their high school careers at Red Lion Christian (Bear, Del.) and transferred in unison when Eastern Christian Academy was established. … Saturday's game will be played at Franklin Field on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. The stadium opened in 1895 and is the oldest still-active college football stadium in the NCAA.

Mitch Stephens: St. Edward 45, Eastern Christian Academy 27
Kevin Askeland: St. Edward 17, Eastern Christian Academy 14
Jamie DeMoney: St. Edward 47, Eastern Christian Academy 29
Stephen Spiewak: St. Edward 35, Eastern Christian Academy 21
Leland Gordon: Eastern Christian Academy 27, St. Edward 26
Colin Ward-Henninger: Eastern Christian Academy 21, St. Edward 17
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St. Joseph (Trumbull, Conn.) at New Canaan (Conn.)

What to watch: Friday night's winner will have the inside track at winning the Eastern Division of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference. New Canaan (7-0) is ranked No. 1 in Connecticut by MaxPreps. The Rams are riding high after a 43-7 rout that ended a 23-game conference win streak for Staples. Meanwhile, second-ranked St. Joseph (7-0) blew out winless Trinity Catholic (Stamford) last week, 53-7. The Cadets had 318 rushing yards, including 170 and four touchdowns from junior running back Mufasa Abdul-Basir.

Just the facts: These teams have combined to win 18 state championships since 1982. St. Joseph last hoisted the trophy in 2010. New Canaan's most recent title was in 2009. … New Canaan has won three of the last four games in this series and six out of eight in games played since 2005.

Mitch Stephens: St. Joseph 28, New Canaan 27
Kevin Askeland: St. Joseph 40, New Canaan 24
Jamie DeMoney: New Canaan 36, St. Joseph 19
Stephen Spiewak: New Canaan 35, St. Joseph 21
Leland Gordon: New Canaan 33, St. Joseph 30
Colin Ward-Henninger: New Canaan 21, St. Joseph 20
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Stratford (Goose Creek, S.C.) at South Florence (Florence, S.C.)

What to watch: A matchup between two of only five unbeaten teams left in South Carolina Class AAAA -- as well as a showcase for two of the state's better quarterbacks. Stratford (9-0) is led by 6-3, 202-pound senior Jacob Park, who is rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and has committed to play at Georgia next year. South Florence features one of the Palmetto State's top junior field generals in Nick Jones. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has 28 total touchdowns this season.

Just the facts: South Florence's 9-0 start is by far its best in the past decade. The Bruins won nine games total only one other time since 2004 and suffered through five consecutive losing seasons from 2005-09. … Last season Stratford thumped South Florence, 33-14. It was the only time the teams have met in the last 10 seasons.



Mitch Stephens: Stratford 28, South Florence 21
Kevin Askeland: Stratford 35, South Florence 28
Jamie DeMoney: Stratford 31, South Florence 26
Stephen Spiewak: Stratford 30, South Florence 20
Leland Gordon: Stratford 27, South Florence 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Stratford 28, South Florence 14
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Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.) at Carrollton (Ga.)

What to watch: The Nos. 1 and 2 teams in Georgia Class AAAA, according to both newspaper and MaxPreps computer rankings. Second-ranked Sandy Creek (7-0-1) has seven consecutive wins by double-digit margins since a season-opening 27-27 tie against Plant (Tampa, Fla.) that knocked it out of the national rankings. Carrollton has yet to face a test as stern as the one posed by Plant. Regardless, the Trojans have won all eight games by an average of 42 points.

Just the facts: Some observers Friday night will focus on two players in the game rated among the Top 20 prospects in state of Georgia by 247Sports. Sandy Creek features Clemson-bound receiver Demarre Kitt (6-1, 190). Carrollton is led by Georgia-bound defensive tackle Dontavius Russell (6-3, 300). … Since 2004, Carrollton owns a winning record against all its current Region 5-AAAA rivals with the exception of Sandy Creek. The Patriots have won three out of four games in this series since 2006.

Mitch Stephens: Carrollton 28, Sandy Creek 24
Kevin Askeland: Sandy Creek 30, Carrollton 28
Jamie DeMoney: Sandy Creek 29, Carrollton 23
Stephen Spiewak: Sandy Creek 40, Carrollton 33
Leland Gordon: Carrollton 42, Sandy Creek 36
Colin Ward-Henninger: Carrollton 21, Sandy Creek 14
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Washington (Massillon, Ohio) at McKinley (Canton, Ohio)

What to watch: The 124th renewal of perhaps the most storied rivalry in prep football, set for Saturday afternoon at Fawcett Stadium on the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The collective history of winning between the two programs in unmatched: Massillon's 828 wins and 22 state titles are the most in Ohio history. McKinley follows close behind with 803 wins and 12 Ohio crowns. A win would give Massillon (7-2) some much-needed momentum entering the Division II state playoffs. The Tigers lost hard-fought games to state-ranked opponents two of the last three weeks. Meanwhile, McKinley is off to its first 9-0 start since 2005. The Bulldogs locked up the outright championship of the Federal League with a 47-0 rout of Boardman (Youngstown) last week. It was their largest margin of victory this season.

Just the facts: The list of all-time greats who participated in this rivalry include Pro Football Hall of Fame player Marion Motley and College Football Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen for McKinley. For Massillon, the notables include Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown and College Football Hall of Fame player Chris Spielman. … Massillon holds a 66-52-5 edge in the series, which began in 1894. The Tigers have also won seven of the last 10.

Mitch Stephens: McKinley 35, Washington 34
Kevin Askeland: Washington 40, McKinley 28
Jamie DeMoney: McKinley 34, Washington 27
Stephen Spiewak: McKinley 28, Washington 24
Leland Gordon: Washington 30, McKinley 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: Washington 24, McKinley 21

Jamie DeMoney is in his 20th season covering high school sports and recruiting. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll for World Features Syndicate.