MaxPreps Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

Defending national champion Don Bosco Prep has won its last 57 games against fellow New Jersey teams, but the streak could be in jeopardy when the Ironmen face undefeated and much-improved Paramus Catholic.

In addition to being one of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week, this is the first meeting of the year between co-leaders of the Big North – United Conference. Last week, it was declared No. 1 on the list of the toughest high school football leagues in the nation by MaxPreps.

There are three games involving teams in the latest Xcellent 25 rankings to take a look at this week. In Southern California's Trinity League (the nation's second-toughest conference), No. 9 Santa Margarita will try to win its second straight without star quarterback Johnny Stanton when it takes on Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

Sole control of the Philadelphia Catholic 4A conference (ranked the sixth-toughest league) is up for grabs when No. 25 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) plays fellow unbeaten La Salle (Wyndmoor).



Finally, fifth-ranked Bellevue (Wash.) will attempt to win its 33rd-straight game when it battles state No. 2-ranked Mount Si (Snoqualmie).

In our season-long predictions contest, Jamie DeMoney correctly selected the winner in nine out of 10 games last week to maintain a two-game lead over Leland Gordon (who also went 9-1). DeMoney is 55-15 (.785 percent) overall on the season. There's a three-way tie for third place between Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya and Stephen Spiewak – all have picked 50 out of 70 winners this season.

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

Paramus Catholic (N.J.) at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)

Motivation won't be a problem for Paramus Catholic standout Jabrill Peppers, who will take on his former team for the first time. Peppers, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2010 and National Sophomore of the Year in 2011 while at Don Bosco Prep, has played a huge role in leading Paramus Catholic to a 4-0 start and a spot in the top five of the state rankings this season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is averaging more than 10 yards per carry with nine combined rushing and receiving touchdowns. He had 166 total yards and four scores in the Paladins' last game, a 42-10 blowout of Ridgewood on Sept. 28.

Read National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak's game preview story



Don Bosco Prep's dominance over New Jersey competition extends beyond its current 57-game in-state winning streak that began in 2006. The Ironmen have won 76 of 79 in-state games played since 2004 and have completely dominated Paramus Catholic, winning 10 straight meetings by a combined margin of a whopping 491-22. Don Bosco Prep's only loss this year came Sept. 8 against Gilman (Baltimore). It has since won four straight, thanks in part to the emergence of running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks. The 5-9, 180-pound junior has eclipsed 100 yards rushing and scored a pair of touchdowns in the last two games.

Mitch Stephens: Don Bosco Prep 24, Paramus Catholic 21
Steve Montoya: Paramus Catholic 28, Don Bosco 27
Stephen Spiewak: Don Bosco Prep 21, Paramus Catholic 20
Kevin Askeland: Don Bosco Prep 45, Paramus Catholic 12
Leland Gordon: Don Bosco Prep 35, Paramus Catholic 24
Jamie DeMoney: Don Bosco Prep 42, Paramus Catholic 25



{PAGEBREAK}
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)

Mater Dei (5-1) had its best first half to a season since it won seven straight games to start 2007. The Monarchs have a big edge in recent games against Santa Margarita, winning six of the last eight meeting,s including a 21-14 win over the Eagles last season with a team that finished the year 4-6. Southern California baseball recruit Ryan McMahon has completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 784 yards and nine touchdowns. His top target is highly recruited senior Thomas Duarte, a 6-3, 225-pound flex receiver who has caught eight touchdown passes this season.

This game will feature a live look-in on Friday Night Live this week, see what it's all about.

Predictably, Santa Margarita had some offensive struggles playing its first game since Nebraska-bound quarterback Johnny Stanton was lost for the season with a knee injury. But the Eagles (6-0) played tremendous defense and got a 21-0 win against Servite (Anaheim) to open Trinity League action last week. But in order to beat a more explosive team like Mater Dei, Santa Margarita will probably need a big game this week from running back Ryan Wolpin. The senior averages 132 rushing yards per game but was held to just 64 against Servite.



Mitch Stephens: Santa Margarita 21, Mater Dei 17
Steve Montoya: Mater Dei 35, Santa Margarita 28
Stephen Spiewak: Mater Dei 28, Santa Margarita 24
Kevin Askeland: Mater Dei 28, Santa Margarita 21
Leland Gordon: Mater Dei 24, Santa Margarita 20
Jamie DeMoney: Santa Margarita 31, Mater Dei 21



{PAGEBREAK}
La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.) at St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia)

La Salle (6-0) has won three straight and five of its last six against St. Joseph Prep. A win Saturday would all but clinch its fifth-consecutive Catholic 4A championship. Senior quarterback Chris Kane has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. His primary target is senior receiver Sean Coleman, a Harvard lacrosse recruit who has more than 400 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Find St. Joseph's Prep in our Regional Computer Rankings

St. Joseph's Prep slipped into the MaxPreps national rankings at No. 25 this week on the strength of a 5-0 start that included wins against teams from three different states. The Hawks boast two of the best young skill players in the country in sophomore running back/defensive back John Reid and 6-3, 180-pound receiver Cameron Chambers, who is only a freshman. Chambers caught four passes for 51 yards – including a 32-yard touchdown – to spark a 23-10 win over defending state 4A champion Archbishop Wood (Warminster) last week.

Mitch Stephens: La Salle 14, St. Joseph's Prep 13
Steve Montoya: St. Joseph's Prep 38, La Salle 14
Stephen Spiewak: St. Joseph's Prep 17, La Salle 10
Kevin Askeland: St. Joseph's Prep 28, La Salle 14
Leland Gordon: La Salle 28, St. Joseph's Prep 27
Jamie DeMoney: La Salle 34, St. Joseph's Prep 28





{PAGEBREAK}
Bellevue (Wash.) at Mount Si (Snoqualmie, Wash.) (Watch LIVE via PlayON! Sports)

After beating Texas power Trinity (Euless) in overtime on the opening weekend, Bellevue won its next five games by a combined score of 279-14. Last week it steamrolled crosstown rival Interlake, 70-7. Nine different Bellevue players scored touchdowns in the game. Overall, the Wolverines have won 32 consecutive games and are the odds-on favorite to capture their 10th state title in 12 years.

See the Bellevue vs. Mount Si series history in the MaxPreps record book

Like Bellevue, Mount Si enters the game with a 6-0 record and is ranked just below the Wolverines at No. 2 in the state media rankings. In spite of that, the history of this matchup leans heavily against Wildcats, who have lost nine straight to Bellevue in games played since 2004, with an average margin of defeat of more than three touchdowns. If this year's game comes down to field goals, give the edge to Mount Si and Washington-bound kicker Cameron Van Winkle. He broke the state record with his 34th career field goal last week.

Mitch Stephens: Bellevue 35, Mount Si 21
Steve Montoya: Bellevue 36, Mount Si 7
Stephen Spiewak: Bellevue 35, Mount Si 14
Kevin Askeland: Bellevue 56, Mount Si 14
Leland Gordon: Bellevue 49, Mount Si 16
Jamie DeMoney: Bellevue 42, Mount Si 20





{PAGEBREAK}
Hand (Madison, Conn.) at Xavier (Middletown, Conn.) (Watch LIVE via PlayOn! Sports)

Defending Class L state champion and state No. 2-rated Hand travels to the reigning Class LL titlist and top-ranked Xavier for the first matchup between these teams since 2007. Hand has won its last 17 games, capped off by a 49-14 blowout of Wilbur Cross (New Haven) last week. The Tigers feature fullback/linebacker Matthew Walsh, a 6-2, 230-pound senior who has committed to play at Connecticut, and 6-3, 215-pound defensive end Peter Gerson, who is headed to Yale next season.

View the latest football professional photo galleries

Xavier has not lost a game since the Class LL state semifinals in 2009. It has won 30 straight with 23 consecutive victories by double-digit spreads. Xavier has a balanced offensive attack led by the pass-run combo of seniors Tim Boyle and DeAngelo Berry. Boyle, a 6-4, 202-pound Boston College recruit, has thrown for 726 yards and eight touchdowns in four games. Berry, a 5-7, 183-pound burner, is averaging more than 190 rushing yards per game and already has 15 rushing touchdowns.

Mitch Stephens: Hand 21, Xavier 20
Steve Montoya: Xavier 21, Hand 20
Stephen Spiewak: Xavier 28, Hand 14
Kevin Askeland: Xavier 28, Hand 21
Leland Gordon: Xavier 27, Hand 21
Jamie DeMoney: Xavier 28, Hand 13



{PAGEBREAK}
Ben Davis (Indianapolis) at Carmel (Ind.)

Ben Davis, one of the storied programs in Indiana prep football history, can earn a share of its first Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference championship since 2001 with a win over first-place Carmel. The Giants have lost the last four in this series but nearly broke through a year ago. A failed 2-point conversion late in the game led to an 11-9 loss in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. This year, Ben Davis has a 7-1 record after bouncing back from its first loss of the year with a 75-0 thrashing last week of winless Lawrence North (Indianapolis).



View the latest football videos from the MaxPreps Video Center

A win gives Carmel an undefeated regular season and its second outright MIC title in four years. The Greyhounds' defense has allowed just seven points total in their last five games and only 55 total this season. The leader of the unit is senior linebacker John Kenny, a 6-1, 200-pound Iowa recruit.

Mitch Stephens: Carmel 17, Ben Davis 14
Steve Montoya: Carmel 24, Ben Davis 21
Stephen Spiewak: Carmel 17, Ben Davis 14
Kevin Askeland: Carmel 44, Ben Davis 21
Leland Gordon: Carmel 30, Ben Davis 24
Jamie DeMoney: Carmel 19, Ben Davis 13



{PAGEBREAK}
Tucker (Ga.) at Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) (Watch LIVE via PlayOn! Sports)

Tucker owns a 20-game winning streak (tied for the longest in Georgia) and has outscored opponents by an average of 40 points this season. It is coming off a bye week. The Tigers were last in action on Sept. 28 when they clobbered Lakeside (Atlanta), 67-7. Leading the way for Tucker's offense is quarterback Juwaan Williams, listed as one of the Top 25 Athlete prospects in the nation by MaxPreps.

View the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings to see where every team in the nation stacks up



Stephenson recorded back-to-back shutouts in games three and four of its schedule before taking last week off to prepare for Tucker. The Jaguars are noted for being one of Georgia's top exporters of Division I football talent, and that tradition continues. Six seniors are already committed to FBS colleges. A year ago, 11 Stephenson players signed with FBS teams.

Mitch Stephens: Stephenson 28, Tucker 24
Steve Montoya: Tucker 28, Stephenson 27
Stephen Spiewak: Tucker 35, Stephenson 21
Kevin Askeland: Stephenson 35, Tucker 14
Leland Gordon: Tucker 38, Stephenson 30
Jamie DeMoney: Tucker 38, Stephenson 27



{PAGEBREAK}
Port Arthur Memorial (Texas) at North Shore (Houston)

Quarterback Ricky Fisk had a hand in five touchdowns as Memorial dominated Channelview, 61-14, last week to improve to 6-0 this season. The Titans have beaten North Shore twice in three games since 2009. All three meetings were decided by a touchdown or less. A win Friday over North Shore would mean a leg up in the District 21-5A race.

View the Texas Top 25 high school football rankings story

North Shore had a bye week after it averaged 56 points per game in five wins to open the season. The triggerman of the Mustangs' high-powered attack is senior quarterback Micah Thomas, a 6-1, 180-pound senior who has nearly 1,200 combined passing and rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. In all, 10 different North Shore players have scored offensive touchdowns this year.



Mitch Stephens: North Shore 42, Memorial 28
Steve Montoya: North Shore 15, Memorial 13
Stephen Spiewak: North Shore 35, Memorial 10
Kevin Askeland: North Shore 45, Memorial 21
Leland Gordon: North Shore 50, Memorial 27
Jamie DeMoney: North Shore 31, Memorial 20



{PAGEBREAK}
Cocoa (Fla.) at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.)

Cocoa was an up-and-coming national power after opening the 2010 season with wins over teams from Mississippi, Pennsylvania and Texas. But the Tigers then lost their last four games against out-of-state opponents. That includes a 16-7 loss to nationally ranked St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) at Disney World on Aug. 31. On the positive side, Cocoa is now riding a three-game winning streak with an 85-6 margin of victory in those games.

See how each state in the nation has done in out-of-state games so far

This is the second time in as many seasons Bergen Catholic will play a Florida power. The Crusaders lost at Plant (Tampa), 12-7, in Week 2 of last season. Bergen Catholic is currently 4-1 with two wins against teams from outside New Jersey. Its leader on offense unquestionably is senior Jonathan Germano. The 5-11, 195-pounder broke the school record for career passing touchdowns (47) during a 55-19 rout of DePaul (Wayne) last week. He has thrown for 18 scores this season along with 1,562 yards.

Mitch Stephens: Bergen Catholic 28, Cocoa 21
Steve Montoya: Bergen Catholic 45, Cocoa 21
Stephen Spiewak: Bergen Catholic 42, Cocoa 14
Kevin Askeland: Bergen Catholic 35, Cocoa 14
Leland Gordon: Bergen Catholic 42, Cocoa 17
Jamie DeMoney: Bergen Catholic 27, Cocoa 14





{PAGEBREAK}
St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

The key to St. Xavier's offensive attack is quarterback Nicholas Tensing. The 6-4, 190-pound junior has thrown for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. St. Xavier must win Saturday to avoid its fifth consecutive season with at least three losses. Granted, it plays annually one of the toughest schedules in Ohio, if not the entire Midwest region. The Bombers have won five of the last seven meetings against St. Edward.

See the St. Xavier vs. St. Edward series history in the MaxPreps record book

St. Edward went 15-0 and ended the 2010 season ranked No. 2 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. This year's Eagles are off to a 7-0 start and could re-insert themselves back into the national rankings picture with a strong finish. Senior signal caller Ryan Fallon engineered St. Edward's top scoring output of the season with five touchdown passes in a 54-14 blowout of defending Division III state champion Mooney (Youngstown) last week.

Mitch Stephens: St. Edward 22, St. Xavier 21
Steve Montoya: St. Xavier 21, St. Edward 14
Stephen Spiewak: St. Xavier, 21, St. Edward 14
Kevin Askeland: St. Edward 28, St. Xavier 7
Leland Gordon: St. Edward 28, St. Xavier 24
Jamie DeMoney: St. Edward 31, St. Xavier 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.