MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

Desert Vista (Phoenix) snapped what was then the nation's longest winning streak (53 games) when it ran away with a 45-19 victory over Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) in last season's Arizona Division I state championship game. That rematch of one of last season's biggest upsets is part of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week.

Among the nationally ranked teams with featured matchups this week is third-ranked Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.). The Eagles open Trinity League action against Servite (Anaheim) playing without their standout quarterback Johnny Stanton. The Nebraska recruit is expected to miss the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

Elsewhere, No. 20 Lassiter (Marietta, Ga.) is on upset alert against rival Walton (Marietta), the team that knocked it out of the state playoffs last season. Meanwhile, No. 23 Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) takes on unbeaten league foe DeMatha (Hyattsville), looking for its first three-game winning streak against the Stags.

Jamie DeMoney's 8-2 record last week allowed him to open a two-game lead in our season-long predictions contest. He has correctly predicted the winner in 46 out of 60 (76.6 percent) games this year. In a tie for second place, just two games back, are Steve Montoya and Leland Gordon. Mitch Stephens and Stephen Spiewak share fourth place, only three games off the pace. Kevin Askeland sits in last place but is only four games behind the leader.



Here's a look at this week's top 10 games of the week along with predictions by MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Leland Gordon and Jamie DeMoney.

MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

Desert Vista (Phoenix) at Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)

Desert Vista was blown out by Hamilton five consecutive times before it stunned the Huskies in last year's Division I championship game, ending a winning streak that spanned 53 straight games. Eleven starters from 2011 are back this season including senior Jarek Hilgers, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back who had a career-high 269 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the Thunder's 56-35 win against Saguaro (Scottsdale) last Friday.

Read Jason Skoda's game preview story

Hamilton's two defeats at the halfway point of this year tie the total number of losses it had during the 2008-2011 seasons combined. But after starting the year at 0-2, the Huskies have won four consecutive games by double-digit margins. Last week they ran their all-time record to 17-0 against crosstown rival Chandler with a 34-18 victory.

Mitch Stephens: Desert Vista 28, Hamilton 27
Steve Montoya: Desert Vista 22, Hamilton 20
Stephen Spiewak: Desert Vista 35, Hamilton 21
Kevin Askeland: Hamilton 24, Desert Vista 21
Leland Gordon: Hamilton 35, Desert Vista 34
Jamie DeMoney: Hamilton 28, Desert Vista 14





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McKinley (Canton, Ohio) at GlenOak (Canton, Ohio) - Thursday

McKinley is unbeaten midway through the regular season for the first time since 2006. A big reason is the emergence of sophomore quarterback Eric Glover. The 5-10, 155-pounder has 919 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His 88-yard touchdown jaunt with less than a minute left to play provided the final margin of victory in McKinley's season-opening 34-28 win against Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls).

Check out the McKinley vs. GlenOak series history in the MaxPreps record book

GlenOak will seek only its fourth win against McKinley in what will be the 12th meeting between these crosstown rivals since 2004. This is a huge game for senior quarterback Reid Worstell, not only because a win would put his Golden Eagles in strong position to qualify for the Division I playoffs, but also because Worstell transferred from McKinley following his sophomore season. His father, Rick, was McKinley's starting quarterback when the Bulldogs won the state championship in 1981.

Mitch Stephens: GlenOak 21, McKinley 20
Steve Montoya: McKinley 21, GlenOak 14
Stephen Spiewak: McKinley 20, GlenOak 14
Kevin Askeland: McKinley 35, GlenOak 17
Leland Gordon: GlenOak 14, McKinley 13
Jamie DeMoney: GlenOak 23, McKinley 20





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Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)

Servite is hoping to turn around its season as play begins in the ultra-competitive Trinity League. A lack of experience at key positions contributed to Servite posting a disappointing 2-3 record against a brutal nonconference schedule. But the Friars played their best game of the season in a 38-6 blowout of St. Paul (Santa Fe Springs) last week. Junior running back Andrew Moore led the way with more than 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Read about last year's overtime thriller between Servite and Santa Margarita

Santa Margarita (5-0) had a well-timed bye week to prepare for its first game without its leader and best player Johnny Stanton. The Nebraska recruit is likely out for the rest of 2012 after undergoing knee surgery for a torn ACL. Junior Josh Canty and senior Connor O'Brien – who together have only three passing attempts this season – could share quarterbacking duties for the Eagles on Friday night. Expect Servite to load up the box in an effort to shut down running back Ryan Wolpin, a senior who has 728 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 87 carries.

Mitch Stephens: Santa Margarita 28, Servite 21
Steve Montoya: Santa Margarita 20, Servite 17
Stephen Spiewak: Santa Margarita 31, Servite 14
Kevin Askeland: Santa Margarita 35, Servite 14
Leland Gordon: Santa Margarita 21, Servite 14
Jamie DeMoney: Santa Margarita 28, Servite 21



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Walton (Marietta, Ga.) at Lassiter (Marietta, Ga.)  Watch Live via PlayOn!

Walton has four offensive players committed to play in the Southeastern Conference next season. The go-to guy on the Raiders' offense is Alabama-bound running back Tyren Jones. The 5-9, 202-pound senior has more than 1,100 rushing yards with 12 touchdown runs in five games. Quarterback Parker McLeod, a 6-3, 190-pound senior, is also committed to the Crimson Tide. Up front, 6-7, 270-pound tackle Jake Boynton is headed to Kentucky and guard Brandon Kublanow (6-2, 290) will play next year at Georgia. This season Walton has four wins sandwiched around one surprising 32-point loss to North Cobb (Kennesaw).



Check out the Walton vs. Lassiter series in the MaxPreps record book

Lassiter has lost six of its last nine against Walton. The Trojans dropped a pair of games to their rival last year, including a 30-24 heartbreaker in the Class 5A state semifinals. An offensive averaging 40 points per game is triggered by senior quarterback Eddie Printz, a 6-4, 200-pounder who has more than 1,300 passing yards this season and more than 7,000 in his career. Printz was previously committed to UCLA but has since reopened his recruitment.

Mitch Stephens: Lassiter 35, Walton 21
Steve Montoya: Lassiter 28, Walton 14
Stephen Spiewak: Lassiter 35, Walton 17
Kevin Askeland: Lassiter 28, Walton 14
Leland Gordon: Lassiter 31, Walton 27
Jamie DeMoney: Lassiter 31, Walton 17



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DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

DeMatha has lost two of the last three games against Good Counsel, but still holds a 9-6 advantage in the series since 2004. The Stags are 5-0 at the midway point for the first time in the last four seasons. A key reason has been stellar quarterback play from junior John Lovett. The 6-3, 194-pounder completed 16 of 24 passes for 237 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-10 blowout of Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) to open Washington Catholic Athletic Conference play last week.

Read Stephen Spiewak's game preview story



Good Counsel is coming off a much-needed bye week after a rigorous five-game stretch to start the season that included three games against teams that have been ranked in at least one national poll this year. On Sept. 22, the Falcons began WCAC play with a 45-24 win over Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.). Dorian O'Daniel, who is committed to play linebacker next year at Clemson, ran for 325 yards and four touchdowns.

Mitch Stephens: Good Counsel 35, DeMatha 28
Steve Montoya: Good Counsel 35, DeMatha 21
Stephen Spiewak: Good Counsel 21, DeMatha 20
Kevin Askeland: Good Counsel 35, DeMatha 21
Leland Gordon: Good Counsel 27, DeMatha 17
Jamie DeMoney: Good Counsel 31, DeMatha 18



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North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.) at Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.)

A pair of senior quarterbacks will square off in this battle of the two top-ranked Class 4A teams in Western Pennsylvania. North Allegheny's offense is triggered by Mack Leftwich, a 5-11, 190-pound Stephen F. Austin commit who has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,180 yards with 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Leftwich, a Texas native, is the son of University of Arizona tight ends coach Spencer Leftwich. For Gateway, Thomas Woodson is in his third year as the starting quarterback. The 6-2, 225-pounder has 839 passing and 156 rushing yards with 11 touchdowns in five Gateway victories. He has committed to play next year at Arizona.

See where North Allegheny ranks in the Regional Computer Rankings

In 2011, these teams did not play in the regular season but met in the semifinals of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletics League playoffs. North Allegheny won the game, 21-17, and went on to play for the 4A state championship. Gateway is looking for its first WPIAL title since 1986.

Mitch Stephens: Gateway 21, North Allegheny 17
Steve Montoya: Gateway 14, North Allegheny 7
Stephen Spiewak: North Allegheny 24, Gateway 21
Kevin Askeland: North Allegheny 42, Gateway 14
Leland Gordon: North Allegheny 35, Gateway 30
Jamie DeMoney: North Allegheny 27, Gateway 20





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Hoggard (Wilmington, N.C.) at New Bern (N.C.)

Hoggard was unbeaten when it lost to New Bern last season, 35-34, on a failed 2-point conversion attempt. The Vikings again are undefeated entering this year's matchup and hoping to end a two-game losing streak against the Bears. They improved to 6-0 on the year with a 40-34 overtime win over Laney (Wilmington) last week.

View the latest MaxPreps pro photo galleries from North Carolina

New Bern (6-0) has ridden the arm and legs of talented combo quarterback Josh Taylor. The 5-11, 175-pound senior has thrown for 1,209 yards and ran for 407 with 19 total touchdowns. Taylor had 226 yards passing and 91 yards rushing – both season highs – as the Bears mauled New Hanover (Wilmington) last week, 63-34.

Mitch Stephens: New Bern 28, Hoggard 24
Steve Montoya: Hoggard 21, New Bern 13
Stephen Spiewak: New Bern 44, Hoggard 30
Kevin Askeland: New Bern 28, Hoggard 21
Leland Gordon: New Bern 45, Hoggard 41
Jamie DeMoney: New Bern 48, Hoggard 23





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First Coast (Jacksonville, Fla.) at Fleming Island (Orange Park, Fla.)

First Coast enters the game with a 23-game regular-season winning streak dating back to 2010. The Buccaneers boast a highly athletic defense with five players committed to FBS colleges. It includes 6-2, 225-pound senior Daniel McMillian, ranked as the No. 15 inside linebacker recruit in the nation.

See where First Coast, Fleming Island and all the nation's teams stand in the Freeman Rankings

Fleming Island was beaten twice by First Coast last year after it had won the two previous meetings in the series. The Golden Eagles (5-0) have recorded shutouts in two of their last three games, including a 30-0 decision over Orange Park last Friday. One week earlier, Fleming Island edged defending Class 4A champion Bolles (Jacksonville), 33-28.

Mitch Stephens: First Coast 21, Fleming Island 16
Steve Montoya: First Coast 21, Fleming Island 20
Stephen Spiewak: First Coast 35, Fleming Island 28
Kevin Askeland: Fleming Island 14, First Coast 7
Leland Gordon: Fleming Island 28, First Coast 20
Jamie DeMoney: Fleming Island 27, First Coast 22



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Temple (Texas) at Midway (Waco, Texas)

A week after it was shut out by Carroll (Southlake), 34-0, Temple more than made up for the scoring drought with a 69-29 outburst over Shoemaker (Killeen) last Friday. The star for the Wildcats (3-1) was senior quarterback Zach Allen. The 6-3, 185-pound Syracuse recruit accounted for eight touchdowns in the game – five passing and three rushing – and had more than 370 combined yards.

This game is one of the Top Texas football games of the week



In its first district contest as a Class 5A team, last year's Class 4A-I runner-up Midway was more than up to the challenge with a 46-6 blowout of Ellison (Killeen) a week ago. It was the third time in four games the undefeated Panthers' defense held an opponent to seven points or less. Offensively, Midway's top playmaker is senior receiver Hunter Jarmon, an emerging force in the Midway offense. His father James played running back at Baylor in the mid-1980s.

Mitch Stephens: Temple 42, Midway 35
Steve Montoya: Midway 35, Temple 28
Stephen Spiewak: Midway 35, Temple 30
Kevin Askeland: Temple 48, Midway 35
Leland Gordon: Midway 49, Temple 40
Jamie DeMoney: Midway 42, Temple 21



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Christian Brothers (St. Louis) at DeSmet Jesuit (St. Louis)

The winner of this game will earn the outright Metro Catholic League championship. It would be the third-consecutive title for Christian Brothers. This season, the Cadets (6-0) have outscored their opponents by a combined 243-35 margin. Leading the way offensively is junior quarterback Tyler Creath – who has thrown for 1,244 yards and 17 touchdowns – along with two-way athlete Aarion Penton, a 5-9, 170-pound Missouri recruit.

See photos from last year's Christian Brothers vs. DeSmet Jesuit game

DeSmet Jesuit (4-2) played its best game of the season when it went on the road and clobbered St. Louis University last Thursday, 56-7. Junior running back Marcus Jester totaled nearly 250 rushing yards with five touchdowns running behind an offensive line that features Missouri-bound junior tackle Andy Bauer (6-5, 295).



Mitch Stephens: Christian Brothers 34, DeSmet Jesuit 28
Steve Montoya: Christian Brothers 28, DeSmet Jesuit 27
Stephen Spiewak: DeSmet Jesuit 28, Christian Brothers 27
Kevin Askeland: DeSmet Jesuit 32, Christian Brothers 14
Leland Gordon: Christian Brothers 35, DeSmet Jesuit 32
Jamie DeMoney: Christian Brothers 35, DeSmet Jesuit 28



Jamie DeMoney is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital PlayerOnDemand. He has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years.