MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

The final MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week for what's been a topsy-turvy September leads off with a wild-west shootout between last year's California Open Division state titlist and the five-time defending state champ from Nevada.

No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) will be the sixth-consecutive out-of-state opponent for No. 5 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in this nationally televised tilt. In a month that has already seen three different No. 1 teams in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings, Friday night's winner is likely to remain very much in the national title hunt as we head into October.

Other action involving ranked teams this weekend includes top-ranked Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) traveling more than 1,100 miles south to play Central (Fort Pierce, Fla.) as well as a NorCal-versus-SoCal matchup between No. 6 De La Salle (Concord) and preseason Xcellent 25 squad Servite (Anaheim).



There is a now a three-way tie atop the leaderboard in our season-long predictions contest. Jamie DeMoney, Stephen Spiewak and Leland Gordon are knotted up with matching 34-16 records through the first five weeks. Kevin Askeland currently owns fourth place, only one game behind the leaders. Coming off a 9-1 week, Mitch Stephens is in fifth place but just two games off the pace.

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.


St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

What to watch: Another big out-of-state game for Bishop Gorman, this one with possible national championship implications. The Gaels (5-0) already picked up wins over former Top 25 team Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) and current No. 22 Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) prior to last week's 41-10 blowout of previously unbeaten Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.). Bishop Gorman tailback Russell Booze ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries. It was the uncommitted senior's fourth-straight 100-yard rushing game. St. John Bosco (3-0) had a bye last week, allowing for extra preparation time for its trip to Las Vegas. The Braves' last contest was a resounding 42-14 win over defending Oregon 6A champion Central Catholic (Portland) on Sept. 12. Although UCLA-bound senior quarterback Josh Rosen was held without a passing touchdown for the first time since his sophomore season, he did have two rushing scores in the game.

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Just the facts: Bishop Gorman's win over Santa Margarita was its 11th in 13 games against California teams since 2004. … When St. John Bosco beat Central Catholic, it improved the Braves' record versus out-of-state opponents to 5-0 since 2008.



Mitch Stephens: Bishop Gorman 28, St. John Bosco 27
Kevin Askeland:  St. John Bosco 35, Bishop Gorman 34
Jamie DeMoney: St. John Bosco 33, Bishop Gorman 27
Stephen Spiewak: Bishop Gorman 35, St. John Bosco 34
Leland Gordon: St. John Bosco 34, Bishop Gorman 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Bishop Gorman 42, St. John Bosco 35


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Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) at Central (Fort Pierce, Fla.)

What to watch: Don Bosco Prep begins its most recent reign atop the national rankings with a trip to South Florida to face Fort Pierce Central on Friday night. With a win, Don Bosco Prep would improve to 3-0 this season and be 4-1 against Florida teams since 2011. This season, the Ironmen already have a victory against No. 17 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on Sept. 13, which was their last game. Fort Pierce Central is an emerging program in the Sunshine State, posting back-to-back 11-win seasons in 2012-13. To have any hopes of upsetting Don Bosco, however, the Cobras (2-1) must play better rush defense than their last outing, a 28-14 loss to state-ranked Osceola (Kissimmee) in which they surrendered 375 yards on the ground, according to My News 13.

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Just the facts: In addition to two national poll championships, Don Bosco Prep coach Greg Toal has led the Ironmen to eight state championships and a 156-17 record since 1999. … Central is shooting for its second win over a nationally ranked team in as many seasons. The Cobras took down then-No. 16 Manatee (Bradenton) in last year's Class 7A state playoffs.

Mitch Stephens: Don Bosco Prep 21, Central 7
Kevin Askeland: Don Bosco Prep 34, Central 7
Jamie DeMoney: Don Bosco Prep 27, Central 3
Stephen Spiewak: Don Bosco Prep 21, Central 6
Leland Gordon: Don Bosco Prep 42, Central 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Don Bosco Prep 21, Central 7


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Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) at De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)

What to watch: Servite is thinking revenge as it prepares for Saturday's trip up the coast to play No. 6 De La Salle. The Friars lost last year's meeting, 35-10, and were beaten by the Spartans in the 2010 Open Division state championship, 48-8. Servite was in nearly every national poll when the season began, but its stock fell after a 48-27 season-opening loss to No. 5 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). The Friars now are 3-1 after a 42-21 win against Edison (Huntington Beach) last week. Senior quarterback Travis Waller (an Oregon commit) had over 300 passing yards and four touchdowns, according to the Orange County Register. Meanwhile, De La Salle has been playing what could be best described as vintage Spartan-style football. All four wins to start the year were decided by four or more touchdowns, including a nationally televised 56-28 win over Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.). Junior running back Antoine Custer has three consecutive 100-yard rushing games and a team-high six touchdowns.



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Just the facts: Servite is coached by A.J. Gass, who was an all-state player at the school in 1992 and later played professionally on two Grey Cup championship teams in the Canadian Football League. … De La Salle has won 168 games (with only 12 losses and two ties) since the start of the 2001 season. Only four other teams in the state have more than 150 wins during the same time frame.

Mitch Stephens: De La Salle 35, Servite 21
Kevin Askeland:  De La Salle 52, Servite 7
Jamie DeMoney: De La Salle 38, Servite 21
Stephen Spiewak: De La Salle 30, Servite 20
Leland Gordon: De La Salle 40, Servite 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: De La Salle 35, Servite 27


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Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) at Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)

What to watch: It's another early-season test for No. 16 Mountain Pointe, as it takes on an undefeated state-ranked opponent for the second-straight week. Last Friday, the Pride (5-0) rambled for a school-record 541 rushing yards in an exciting 45-42 win over then-nationally ranked Chandler, according to the East Valley Tribune. The sledding could be tougher this week against a Hamilton squad fresh off a 21-0 shutout of previously unbeaten Liberty (Henderson, Nev.). The Huskies feature a talented front seven led by disruptive senior defensive end Caleb Peart, a 6-foot, 240-pound Vanderbilt recruit, and junior tackle Garrett Rand (6-3, 275), rated a four-star prospect by 247 Sports.

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Just the facts: Friday is a rematch of last year's Division I state final, won in resounding fashion by Mountain Pointe (42-19). The Pride defeated Hamilton twice in 2013 after having lost five of the previous six games in the series. … Mountain Pointe's state championship a year ago was its first in school history. Hamilton has won seven state titles since 2003.



Mitch Stephens: Mountain Pointe 35, Hamilton 28
Kevin Askeland: Mountain Pointe 45, Hamilton 35
Jamie DeMoney: Mountain Pointe 27, Hamilton 23
Stephen Spiewak: Mountain Pointe 44, Hamilton 35
Leland Gordon: Mountain Pointe 45, Hamilton 36
Colin Ward-Henninger: Mountain Pointe 35, Hamilton 21


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Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) at Brighton (Salt Lake City)

What to watch: The top two teams in the latest Utah 5A newspaper rankings butt heads Friday night in a key Region 3 matchup. Brighton wants to avenge a pair of losses to Bingham from last season and start the year 5-0 for only the third time in the last 11 seasons. The Bengals feature running back/linebacker Osa Masina, rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports. The 6-4, 207-pound senior had a season-high 13 tackles and one sack in a 34-6 blowout of Hunter (West Valley City) last week. No. 22 Bingham has been resilient since a 23-20 overtime loss at No. 5 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) on Sept. 5. The Miners bounced back by bludgeoning their next two opponents by a combined margin of 98-0.

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Just the facts: Bingham senior kicker Chayden Johnston has made three field goals from beyond 40 yards already this season. The Utah commit is 4-for-6 on field goals overall. … Despite a pair of losses to Bingham last season, Brighton still maintains a comfortable 28-14-1 advantage in the all-time series against Bingham, which began in 1969.

Mitch Stephens: Brighton 28, Bingham 27
Kevin Askeland: Bingham 28, Brighton 21
Jamie DeMoney: Brighton 24, Bingham 22
Stephen Spiewak: Bingham 35, Brighton 28
Leland Gordon: Bingham 17, Brighton 14
Colin Ward-Henninger: Bingham 28, Brighton 20


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Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) at St. Xavier (Cincinnati)

What to watch: The rigorous Cincinnati Greater Catholic League South four-team round robin begins Friday with Moeller out to protect its new national ranking against longtime rival St. Xavier. The No. 24 Crusaders have played like one of the best defenses in Ohio in the early season, limiting opponents to only 13 points total in four games. A key player on that side of the ball is senior 6-3, 285-pound defensive tackle Elijah Taylor, a Notre Dame commit. St. Xavier enters the game with a 3-1 record, having lost only on the road to Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) on Sept. 12. The Bombers bounced back from that loss with an impressive 27-0 shutout of Indianapolis Cathedral last week at Lucas Oil Stadium.



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Just the facts: St. Xavier has a two-game losing streak to Moeller but still has seven wins in the last 13 games in this series. Overall, Moeller owns a comfortable 38-19 edge over the Bombers all-time. … Moeller won the Ohio Division I state championship for the second-straight time last season and ninth time overall since 1975. St. Xavier has won two state football championships, the last coming in 2007.

Mitch Stephens: Moeller 21, St. Xavier 20
Kevin Askeland: Moeller 28, St. Xavier 14
Jamie DeMoney: St. Xavier 23, Moeller 17
Stephen Spiewak: Moeller 21, St. Xavier 14
Leland Gordon: Moeller 19, St. Xavier 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Moeller 24, St. Xavier 21


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American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) at Mainland (Daytona Beach, Fla.)

What to watch: Mainland has a chance to get a statement win over a team that began the season ranked fifth nationally. Mainland is already considered one of Florida's top teams after dominating its first four opponents by a combined score of 199-9. But the lack of a win over a "marquee" opponent has heretofore left the Buccaneers out of most national polls. Florida State-bound safety Arthur Westbrook is a key member of a defense that has held opponents scoreless in 15 out of 16 quarters this season. On the other side, American Heritage owns quality wins over Miramar and Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) this year, but its star fell significantly after an ugly 38-7 loss to St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) on opening weekend. The Patriots are loaded with talented players, including senior cornerback Tarvarus Mcfadden, a four-star prospect who returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown in the win over Chaminade-Madonna.

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Just the facts: This is a rematch of American Heritage's 6-0 win against Mainland last season. That was only the third time the Buccaneers have been shut out in the last decade. … Mainland, which reached the Class 6A state semifinals last season, has 20 consecutive playoff appearances.

Mitch Stephens: American Heritage 28, Mainland 24
Kevin Askeland: Mainland 35, American Heritage 14
Jamie DeMoney: Mainland 27, American Heritage 14
Stephen Spiewak: American Heritage 21, Mainland 20
Leland Gordon: American Heritage 27, Mainland 20
Colin Ward-Henninger: American Heritage 28, Mainland 27




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Providence Catholic (New Lenox, Ill.) at St. Rita (Chicago)

What to watch: An inside track to a Chicago Catholic Blue conference title is up for grabs Friday night on Chicago's South Side. Providence Catholic and St. Rita are both 4-0 and already have wins against last season's 7A state champion Mount Carmel (Chicago) in the bank. St. Rita topped the Caravan, 23-21, last week thanks to a 29-yard field goal from senior Bailey Marth in the closing seconds. Conversely, Providence Catholic got a rare blowout win against Mount Carmel when the teams met on Sept. 12. Notre Dame-bound senior receiver Miles Boykin sparked a 33-14 decision with eight catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns.

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Just the facts: Providence Catholic has struggled mightily against St. Rita recently, losing eight of the last 11 games played since 2004. … Providence Catholic is 4-0 to start a season for the first time since 2004. That year, the Celtics finished 13-1 and won the most recent of nine state championships in school history.

Mitch Stephens: St. Rita 31, Providence Catholic 28
Kevin Askeland: Providence Catholic 27, St. Rita 24
Jamie DeMoney: Providence Catholic 35, St. Rita 28
Stephen Spiewak: St. Rita 28, Providence Catholic 24
Leland Gordon: Providence Catholic 27, St. Rita 22
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Rita 21, Providence Catholic 20

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St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

What to watch: St. Edward's dream of a national championship ended after only week as the nation's top-ranked team. The Eagles lost on the road last Saturday to No. 25 Elder (Cincinnati), 21-14, in a very tough environment. But with plenty of top opponents left on its schedule, it's very likely St. Edward would still finish high in the national rankings if it finishes the season on an 11-game winning streak. That goal begins with Saturday's trip to New Jersey to play a Bergen Catholic team that improved to 2-1 with a 21-10 win at Bentonville (Ark.) last weekend. It was the sixth time in the last 12 games Bergen Catholic played a team from outside New Jersey.

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Just the facts: St. Edward will try to go 2-0 against New Jersey opponents this season. The Eagles hammered St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), 42-0, on Sept. 13. … Bergen Catholic has compiled a 16-4 record against non-New Jersey teams from nine different states plus Washington, D.C. since 2006.

Mitch Stephens: St. Edward 45, Bergen Catholic 28
Kevin Askeland: St. Edward 35, Bergen Catholic 27
Jamie DeMoney: St. Edward 46, Bergen Catholic 27
Stephen Spiewak: St. Edward 41, Bergen Catholic 34
Leland Gordon: St. Edward 29, Bergen Catholic 21
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Edward 30, Bergen Catholic 28


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St. Ignatius (Cleveland) at Paramus Catholic (N.J.)

What to watch: In the second clash of Northeast Ohio and Northern New Jersey titans on Saturday, St. Ignatius travels to Paramus looking to avenge a 44-10 loss last year that was its most lopsided defeat in nearly 50 years. The Wildcats (3-1) tuned up with a 49-13 rout of Assumption (Burlington, Ontario, Canada). Junior Jack Cook had a pair of first-half touchdown catches for St. Ignatius. Behind freshman quarterback Allan Waters, Paramus Catholic improved to 3-0 with a 38-6 win at St. Frances (Baltimore). Waters got the starting nod in place of senior Willy Hansen, who was out with an ankle injury.

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Just the facts: St. Ignatius is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak against New Jersey opponents. The Wildcats also lost to Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J) in 2010, 33-6. … Paramus Catholic is shooting for its third-straight Non-Public Group IV state championship this season.

Mitch Stephens: Paramus Catholic 35, St. Ignatius 28
Kevin Askeland: St. Ignatius 30, Paramus Catholic 14
Jamie DeMoney: Paramus Catholic 32, St. Ignatius 29
Stephen Spiewak: Paramus Catholic 35, St. Ignatius 20
Leland Gordon: Paramus Catholic 37, St. Ignatius 24
Colin Ward-Henninger: St. Ignatius 21, Paramus Catholic 17

Jamie DeMoney has covered high school sports and recruiting for the past 20 seasons. He is a Regional Content Manager and Product Specialist for XOS Digital and compiles the National Prep Poll (PrepNation) for World Features Syndicate.