MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

We all know state championship trophies aren't handed out the last weekend in September. But undisputed possession of the top spot in the Arizona's large-school rankings is on the line when Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) hosts Hamilton (Chandler) Friday night. The rematch of last year's Division I state championship game (won by Hamilton, 31-16) is one of several early season grudge matches we feature in the latest edition of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week.

Top 10 teams in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings are squaring off in Texas when No. 3 Allen hosts No. 9 Coppell in a revenge game from last year. In Louisiana, a matchup folks have been waiting for finally will become a reality as defending 4A state champ Karr (New Orleans) takes on reigning national champion John Curtis (River Ridge) in another battle of Xcellent 25 teams.

The lone interstate game on this week's slate has emerging national power Paramus Catholic (N.J.) putting its No. 19 ranking on the line when it travels to Ohio to play three-time national champion St. Ignatius (Cleveland).



Despite hitting on only half of his selections last week, Stephen Spiewak managed to expand his lead slightly in our season-long predictions contest. Spiewak's 33-16-1 record is two games better than that of Jamie DeMoney and Leland Gordon.

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.


Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) at Mountain Pointe (Phoenix)
What to watch: Will Hamilton's offensive blues continue? With a scoring average of only 23 points per game, the Huskies are off to a 4-0 start primarily because they have one of the most talented defenses in the nation. In contrast, No. 16 Mountain Pointe (5-0) has averaged nearly 53 points per game and, with the exception of No. 25 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), has beaten every team it faced by at least 24. Pride senior quarterback Antonio Hinojosa has hit on two-thirds of his passes for an ample 820 yards with 10 touchdowns and only two interceptions. Mountain Pointe's four-star receiver Jalen Brown has only 17 catches for 387 yards and four touchdowns, but is likely to explode for a big game at some point this season.

Just the facts: Hamilton opened its doors in 1998, but has already won seven state championships in football. … Mountain Pointe's 17-14 win over Hamilton in last year's season-opener is its only win in the series since the teams began playing in 2007.

Mitch Stephens: Mountain Pointe 35, Hamilton 28
Kevin Askeland: Mountain Pointe 50, Hamilton 24
Jamie DeMoney: Mountain Pointe 20, Hamilton 13
Stephen Spiewak: Mountain Pointe 31, Hamilton 28
Leland Gordon: Mountain Pointe 28, Hamilton 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Hamilton 28, Mountain Pointe 24
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Coppell (Texas) at Allen (Texas)

What to watch: There are four Texas teams in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25 rankings, and two of them play each other on Friday. Neither squad enters the game with a full head of steam. Ninth-ranked Coppell (3-0) put in a full week's effort preparing for Garland but wasn't rewarded for it when last Thursday's game was called off due to severe weather. Meanwhile, No. 3 Allen (4-0) did play last week but committed 12 penalties and needed two fourth-quarter touchdowns from junior quarterback Kyler Murray to dodge an upset bid from Hebron (Carrollton).

Just the facts: Allen opened a much-publicized new stadium in 2012 that carried a price tag of $60 million. The facility has a capacity of 18,000, making it the largest of any high school stadium in Texas designated for just one home team. … Allen went 15-1 and captured the Class 5A Division I state crown last season. Its only loss was in overtime to Coppell.



Mitch Stephens: Allen 35, Coppell 27
Kevin Askeland: Coppell 28, Allen 27
Jamie DeMoney: Allen 38, Coppell 28
Stephen Spiewak: Allen 28, Coppell 21
Leland Gordon: Allen 28, Coppell 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: Allen 21, Coppell 20
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Karr (New Orleans) vs. Curtis (River Ridge, La.)

What to watch: A showdown Pelican State football fans have been drooling over. Karr, the defending 4A state titlist, is ranked fifth in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25. John Curtis, last season's national champion, is ranked No. 20. Above all others, the player to watch is Karr's dynamic dual-threat quarterback Devante "Speedy" Noil. The five-star prospect has accounted for seven touchdowns in Karr's two wins this season. After losing to then-nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 13, Curtis bounced back with a 39-7 blowout of East St. John (Reserve) last week. It was the Patriots' 29th consecutive win against Louisiana opponents.

Just the facts: The NFHS Record Book lists John Curtis in a tie for ninth all-time for the most state championships with 25. … "Speedy" Noil became even more of a household name in recruitnik circles by claiming the NIKE SPARQ national championship in July. Noil's performances at the event included a 45.3-inch vertical jump and an electronic time of 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

Mitch Stephens: Karr 28, Curtis 27
Kevin Askeland: Karr 30, Curtis 28
Jamie DeMoney: Karr 31, Curtis 21
Stephen Spiewak: Karr 30, Curtis 20
Leland Gordon: Karr 27, Curtis 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Karr 35, Curtis 28
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Paramus Catholic (N.J.) at St. Ignatius (Cleveland)

What to watch: Michigan-bound athlete Jabrill Peppers and his teammates looking to cement Paramus Catholic's status as a national power with a road game against blue-blood program St. Ignatius. The No. 19 Paladins jumped onto the national scene last season with a state championship in the tough Non-Public Group IV section. Peppers, a five-star prospect, has averaged about 10 yards every time he's touched the football the last two seasons. For St. Ignatius, things started off on a sour note this season when Ohio State-committed linebacker Kyle Berger and senior quarterback Peter Mahoney were lost for the year due to injuries. The Wildcats (3-1) were beaten in their opener by Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), but now have three wins in a row including a 49-10 rout of McDowell (Erie, Pa.) last week.

Just the facts: Ohio has lost 10 out of 12 games played against New Jersey opponents since 2003. St. Ignatius contributed one of the losses – a 33-6 drubbing at the hands of eventual national champ Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) in 2010. … St. Ignatius owns a record 11 state championships, all of which were won since 1988.

Mitch Stephens: St. Ignatius 27, St. Ignatius 21
Kevin Askeland: Paramus Catholic 34, St. Ignatius 28
Jamie DeMoney: St. Ignatius 35, Paramus Catholic 28
Stephen Spiewak: Paramus Catholic 28, St. Ignatius 20
Leland Gordon: Paramus Catholic 31, St. Ignatius 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Paramus Catholic 21, St. Ignatius 14
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St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

What to watch: The winner keeps pace with No. 19 Paramus Catholic atop the Big North–United league standings. No. 12 St. Joseph Regional (2-0) had last week off after opening with back-to-back blowouts against then-nationally ranked DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and New Smyrna Beach (Fla.). Running back Sherman Alston (a Boston College commit) leads the Green Knights with six touchdowns. Bergen Catholic is desperate for a win to avoid a 1-3 start. The Crusaders' two losses were against Xcellent 25 teams Curtis (River Ridge, La.) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). Junior Corey Russo has scored seven rushing touchdowns this season.

Just the facts: The Big North–United Division has a well-earned reputation as one of the top football conferences nationally. The five current members have combined to win two national titles, 13 state titles and compiled a collective 50-9 record against out-of-state opponents since 2004. … If St. Joseph Regional wins, it would even the record between these teams at 5-5 in games played since 2004.

Mitch Stephens: Bergen Catholic 24, St. Joseph 23
Kevin Askeland: St. Joseph Regional 28, Bergen Catholic 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Joseph Regional 27, Bergen Catholic 14
Stephen Spiewak: St. Joseph Regional 34, Bergen Catholic 31
Leland Gordon: St. Joseph Regional 31, Bergen Catholic 20
Colin Ward-Henninger: Bergen Catholic 24, St. Joseph Regional 20
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St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)

What to watch: An early-season battle for supremacy in Cincinnati's rugged Greater Catholic League South. St. Xavier won last year's GCL-South crown and is looking to add its 14th title since 1991. The Bombers (3-1) have wins against state-ranked teams from Indiana and Tennessee this season, but lost to nationally ranked Colerain in week 2. Moeller (4-0), the defending Division I state champion, has wins against teams from Indiana, Kentucky and Canada. Friday will be the 12th meeting between these teams since 2004 with St. Xavier holding a 7-4 advantage in those games.



Just the facts: Three of the four current members of the GCL-South (St. Xavier, Moeller and Elder) have collectively won the state title in Ohio's largest classification 12 times since state playoffs began in 1972. … In addition to being powers in football, both St. Xavier and Moeller boast one alum who is inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Pitcher Jim Bunning graduated from St. Xavier. Hall of Fame baseball player Barry Larkin and likely 2016 inductee Ken Griffey Jr. are Moeller grads.

Mitch Stephens: St. Xavier 17, Archbishop Moeller 14
Kevin Askeland: Archbishop Moeller 28, St. Xavier 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Xavier 20, Archbishop Moeller 6
Stephen Spiewak: St. Xavier 38, Archbishop Moeller 17
Leland Gordon: Archbishop Moeller 27, St. Xavier 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: Archbishop Moeller 14, St. Xavier 10
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Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) at Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.)

What to watch: Brother Rice's Catholic High School League opener was a too-close-for-comfort 26-24 win against De La Salle (Warren) last Saturday. The Warriors (4-0) needed a 34-yard Hail Mary pass completion from junior Alex Malzone to senior Jason Alessi to win the game as time expired. Catholic Central is 4-0 -- but the Shamrocks haven't had anything resembling a close call this season. They have shut out three opponents and have a cumulative margin of victory of 145-13.

Just the facts: Brother Rice has won seven of the last nine games against Catholic Central dating back to 2004. … Division 1 Catholic Central and Division 2 Brother Rice together have 13 first or second-place finishes in the state playoffs since 1999.

Mitch Stephens: Brother Rice 35, Catholic Central 28
Kevin Askeland: Brother Rice 40, Catholic Central 21
Jamie DeMoney: Brother Rice 28, Catholic Central 24
Stephen Spiewak: Brother Rice 28, Catholic Central 27
Leland Gordon: Brother Rice 27, Catholic Central 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: Brother Rice 35, Catholic Central 20
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Mount Carmel (Chicago) at St. Rita (Chicago)

What to watch: A Southside slugfest on Friday between undefeated Chicago Catholic Blue powers. Defending Class 8A champion Mount Carmel (4-0) crushed its first three opponents but then struggled to beat Brother Rice (1-3), 28-20, in last week's conference opener. Illinois-bound running back Matt Domer keyed the Caravan with more than 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Tommy Mister has been the man for St. Rita since transferring in last spring. The Iowa State recruit, who played his first three years at Richards (Oak Lawn), already has 956 combined passing and rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013.

Just the facts: Mount Carmel had lost four straight times to St. Rita before posting a 27-0 shutout against the Mustangs last season. The Caravan has a 6-5 edge in games played since 2004. … Mount Carmel's Frank Lenti has more wins at one school (330) than any other coach in Illinois history. His win total is also the second-highest in state history overall.

Mitch Stephens: Mount Carmel 42, St. Rita 21
Kevin Askeland: Mount Carmel 40, St. Rita 14
Jamie DeMoney: Mount Carmel 34, St. Rita 24
Stephen Spiewak: Mount Carmel 28, St. Rita 20
Leland Gordon: Mount Carmel 35, St. Rita 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Mount Carmel 42, St. Rita 28
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Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) at Goose Creek (S.C.)

What to watch: A Friday showdown of unbeaten teams and a showcase for two of the top running backs in the state of South Carolina. Matt Colburn (5-foot-8, 159 pounds) has helped Dutch Fork average nearly 50 points in its first four games. The speedy junior has 836 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on just 103 carries. Goose Creek's go-to guy is senior Caleb Kinlaw, a Georgia Tech recruit who averages eight yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns.

Just the facts: Tom Knotts helped Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) win 109 consecutive games – the second-longest streak in prep football history – between 2000 and 2007. He has a 35-10 record since becoming Dutch Fork's head coach in 2010. … Goose Creek has won 30 consecutive games on the field (i.e. not counting forfeits) but was ruled ineligible to defend its Division II-AAAA state title last season because it used an ineligible player.



Mitch Stephens: Goose Creek 35, Dutch Fork 27
Kevin Askeland: Dutch Fork 36, Goose Creek 28
Jamie DeMoney: Goose Creek 39, Dutch Fork 28
Stephen Spiewak: Dutch Fork 35, Goose Creek 25
Leland Gordon: Dutch Fork 24, Goose Creek 22
Colin Ward-Henninger: Goose Creek 35, Dutch Fork 20
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St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) at Alemany (Mission Hills, Calif.)
What to watch: The not-always accurate comparative score prediction method would point to a decisive Alemany victory. The Warriors (4-0) are fresh off a 45-28 win against Centennial (Corona), the team that beat St. Bonaventure in week 2. Alemany's field general is senior quarterback Alif Grayes, who had more than 350 combined passing and rushing yards and two touchdowns against Centennial. St. Bonaventure scored almost at will against Centennial, but still came up on the short end of a 69-55 decision. That's not a basketball score, either. But it was St. Bonaventure's defense that came up big in last week's 35-24 win over Atascadero, shutting the Greyhounds out in the second half.

Just the facts: Alemany is playing one of the toughest schedules in California. Its 10 regular-season opponents combined for an 88-33-1 record last season. … St. Bonaventure has had at least one player go on to play football at the FBS level every year since 1993.

Mitch Stephens: Alemany 42, St. Bonaventure 28
Kevin Askeland: Alemany 40, St. Bonaventure 21
Jamie DeMoney: Alemany 33, St. Bonaventure 24
Stephen Spiewak: Alemany 21, St. Bonaventure 17
Leland Gordon: Alemany 49, St. Bonaventure 38
Colin Ward-Henninger: Alemany 35, St. Bonaventure 24

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.