MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

Grayson (Loganville, Ga.), the No. 2 team in the nation, will put its 16-game winning streak on the line in a nationally televised meeting against Central (Miami). It's one of eight games in this week's Top 10 Games of the Week involving members of this week's MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

In other action, two of the nation's best rushing offenses already converged in Seattle where No. 5 Bellevue (Wash.) edged Trinity (Euless, Texas). On the East Coast, No. 25 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) prepares to play Gilman (Baltimore) a week after both teams were beaten by Xcellent 25 teams on national TV.

The rivalry game of the week, hands-down, is the annual Backyard Brawl, pitting Union (Tulsa, Okla.) and Jenks (Okla.). The two teams, separated by less than 10 miles, have combined to win the last 16 Class 6A state titles.

With a perfect 10-0 record last week, Kevin Askeland opened the season in first place in our season-long predictions contest. Stephen Spiewak, Leland Gordon and yours truly are tied for second place after picking eight out of 10 correct. Bringing up the rear – but a mere three games off the pace – are Steve Montoya and Mitch Stephens.



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

Bellevue (Wash.) 31, Trinity (Euless, Texas) 24 (OT)


This game was played Thursday night. Click here to read our game story.

Keep an eye on the battle at the line of scrimmage in this game. It will be an interesting dual between Trinity's size and power and Bellevue's smaller but quicker linemen in this Thursday tussle. For Trinity, this is the first of two straight games against defending champions of other states. The Trojans host Oklahoma's four-time defending champion Union (Tulsa) next week.

Stephen Spiewak's game preview / Qwixcore / Watch live via PlayOn! Sports



Bellevue runs the Wing-T with deceptive action and devastating quickness. The Wolverines' offense is one of the true blue chip units in all of prep football and has delivered nine state titles in the last 11 years. Bellevue seeks redemption for its last game against a Texas team – a 35-17 loss on the road against Houston-area juggernaut Katy.

Mitch Stephens: Bellevue 28, Trinity 27
Steve Montoya: Bellevue 21, Trinity 14
Stephen Spiewak: Bellevue 24, Trinity 21
Kevin Askeland: Trinity 38, Bellevue 14
Leland Gordon: Bellevue 28, Trinity 21
Jamie DeMoney: Bellevue 33, Trinity 30



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Central (Miami) at Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)

It's the first in a trio of grinding tests to open the season for Central, which would be a strong national title contender if it somehow goes undefeated. The Rockets have a date with No. 11 Washington (Miami) on Sept. 8, and then travel to No. 1 Manatee (Bradenton) on Sept. 14.

Grayson got a 31-12 win over McEachern (Powder Springs) last Saturday at the Georgia Dome. MaxPreps No. 1 overall recruit Robert Nkemdiche had a 2-yard touchdown run and the Rams totaled more than 300 yards on the ground as a team. It was the 16th-straight win for the defending 5A state champions.

Mitch Stephens: Central 21, Grayson 20
Steve Montoya: Grayson 24, Central 14
Stephen Spiewak: Grayson 28, Central 21
Kevin Askeland: Grayson 29, Central 20
Leland Gordon: Grayson 31, Central 28
Jamie DeMoney: Grayson 34, Central 21





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Gilman (Baltimore) at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Gilman was jolted in its nationally televised meeting with No. 17 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) last Sunday in Ohio. The Greyhounds have talent on defense, but the unit was no match for Moeller's outstanding offense in a 35-14 defeat. Senior quarterback Shane Cockerille was the bright spot for Gilman. The future Maryland Terrapin was responsible for 217 of his team's 246 yards and scored both touchdowns.

Good Counsel also played on television last weekend, losing at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 27-22. Like Gilman, Good Counsel was flat early on and dug itself a hole too deep to escape, although it did score the game's final two touchdowns. Clemson recruit Dorian O'Daniel contributed 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Mitch Stephens: Good Counsel 28, Gilman 21
Steve Montoya: Good Counsel 35, Gilman 14
Stephen Spiewak: Good Counsel 28, Gilman 21
Kevin Askeland: Good Counsel 32, Gilman 7
Leland Gordon: Good Counsel 35, Gilman 14
Jamie DeMoney: Good Counsel 21, Gilman 17



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Jenks (Okla.) vs. Union (Tulsa, Okla.)

There isn't a better contemporary high school football rivalry than this one. The Backyard Brawl, played annually at University of Tulsa's Chapman Stadium, matches the only two programs to win the Oklahoma Class 6A title since 1996. An interesting twist is that only three of the last nine regular-season winners went on to win the state crown.

Preview / Qwixcore



Jenks holds a slim 13-12 edge over Union since the programs began dominating Oklahoma's largest classification. However, the Trojans have lost three in a row to Union, including a 30-29 heartbreaker in last year's state semifinals.

Mitch Stephens: Union 42, Jenks 28
Steve Montoya: Union 17, Jenks 14
Stephen Spiewak: Union 42, Jenks 30
Kevin Askeland: Union 42, Jenks 21
Leland Gordon: Union 35, Jenks 31
Jamie DeMoney: Union 30, Jenks 20



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Columbus (Miami) vs. St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Sun Life Stadium hosts the first meeting in nearly 50 years between South Florida's top two Catholic powers. For Columbus to claim back-to-back wins over Aquinas (it won 46-0 in 1963), dynamic running back combo Daryl Chestnut (5-9, 190) and Lorenzo Woodley (6-1, 215) will need to team up for a big game.

Preview / Qwixcore

Led by University of Houston-bound quarterback John O'Korn and six additional returning starters, St. Thomas Aquinas' offense could be special this season. On the other side of the ball, the defense is led by Ohio State-committed end Joey Bosa (6-5, 270).



Mitch Stephens: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Columbus 20
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas Aquinas 33, Columbus 20
Stephen Spiewak: St. Thomas Aquinas 31, Columbus 17
Kevin Askeland: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Columbus 7
Leland Gordon: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Columbus 21
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Columbus 13



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Hoover (Ala.) at South Panola (Batesville, Miss.)

Hoover aims to open the year with a win over Mississippi's top program for the second season in a row. The Bucs beat South Panola, 24-13, and eventually made the 6A state title game last season, but have only seven starters returning. Among those who are back is senior quarterback Connor Short, a 2,000-yard passer in 2011.

Preview / Qwixcore

South Panola escaped with a 12-10 win against West Point last week. Clayton Sibley kicked four field goals, including the game-winner from 18 yards out on the final play of the game. The Tigers have 17 returning starters and are favored to win their eighth state title since 2003. Youth and inexperience contributed to the Tigers losing four games last year – a one-year total that's twice the total number of losses the program had between 2002 and 2010.

Mitch Stephens: Hoover 17, South Panola 14
Steve Montoya: South Panola 24, Hoover 20
Stephen Spiewak: Hoover 31, South Panola 20
Kevin Askeland: South Panola 28, Hoover 14
Leland Gordon: Hoover 28, South Panola 23
Jamie DeMoney: South Panola 23, Hoover 17



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Carroll (Southlake, Texas) at Allen (Texas)

The appearance of nationally ranked Carroll adds to the already illustrious opening game at Allen's much-publicized $60-million stadium, a facility more than a few FBS college teams would kill for. According to the Dallas Morning News, all 18,000 seats – and possibly a couple thousand more standing-room-only tickets – will be sold.

Preview / Qwixcore

Texas A&M-bound combo quarterback Kenny Hill leads five returning starters on Carroll's offense. However, the Dragons have only two starters back on defense. On the other side, Allen has just five starters back overall. Senior Oliver Pierce moves from receiver to starting quarterback, where he'll try to fill the large shoes left behind by now-Alabama quarterback Alec Morris.

Mitch Stephens: Carroll 28, Allen 24
Steve Montoya: Carroll 35, Allen 24
Stephen Spiewak: Carroll 28, Allen 27
Kevin Askeland: Carroll 35, Allen 14
Leland Gordon: Carroll 28, Allen 24
Jamie DeMoney: Carroll 31, Allen 17



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De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) at Bellarmine (San Jose, Calif.)

De La Salle needed double overtime to beat Bellarmine last season. Quarterback Bart Houston had a 1-yard touchdown run to clinch the 26-23 win for De La Salle and keep its Northern California winning streak – which dates back to 1992 – alive. Houston has graduated – he's now a Wisconsin Badger – but the Spartans still have 12 returning starters and plenty of experience returning at other positions. On defense, the player to watch is linebacker Michael Hutchings, a USC recruit.



Preview / Qwixcore

Only two starters on both sides of the ball return from last year's Bellarmine squad that played Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) down to the wire in the Division I state championship game. The Bells have good team speed and an excellent linebacker group led by senior Kenneth Olugbode (6-1, 195).

Mitch Stephens: De La Salle 27, Bellarmine 15
Steve Montoya: De La Salle 28, Bellarmine 14
Stephen Spiewak: De La Salle 28, Bellarmine 24
Kevin Askeland: De La Salle 40, Bellarmine 6
Leland Gordon: De La Salle 38, Bellarmine 14
Jamie DeMoney: De La Salle 34, Bellarmine 14



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De La Salle Collegiate (Warren, Mich.) at St. Ignatius (Cleveland)

Shane Morris, the nation's second-rated pro-style quarterback, threw two touchdown passes at the high school stadium right down the street from where he'll call home next season. The University of Michigan commit and his De La Salle teammates cruised to a 35-7 season-opening win at Pioneer (Ann Arbor) last week.

Preview / Qwixcore



In the nightcap of the Charity Classic at Cleveland Browns Stadium last Saturday, St. Ignatius looked like it hadn't missed a beat from last year's playoff run that delivered the school its 11th state title in 25 seasons. The Wildcats thumped Mooney (Youngstown) in a matchup of the defending Division I and III champions.

Mitch Stephens: St. Ignatius 28, De La Salle 17
Steve Montoya: St. Ignatius 28, De La Salle 21
Stephen Spiewak: St. Ignatius 31, De La Salle 14
Kevin Askeland: St. Ignatius 35, De La Salle 12
Leland Gordon: St. Ignatius 27, De La Salle 7
Jamie DeMoney: St. Ignatius 28, De La Salle 6


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Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at St. Louis (Honolulu)

Game No. 2 of Bishop Gorman's Nevada-free nonconference schedule takes it to Aloha Stadium to face traditional island power St. Louis. Gorman looked good last week in a nationally televised 27-22 win over No. 25 Good Counsel. Veteran quarterback Anu Solomon was his usual precise self, completing 13 of 17 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Going into his fourth year as a starter, the Arizona recruit has an amazing touchdown to interception ratio of 107 to 13. He's also a Hawaii native.

Preview / Qwixcore

St. Louis bounced back from a season-opening 39-33 loss to Farrington (Honolulu) with a 46-0 shutout of Baldwin (Wailuku) last week. Quarterback Kawai Mook-Garcia, who did not play against Farrington, had four passing touchdowns and another on the ground in the win over Baldwin.

Mitch Stephens: Bishop Gorman 42, St. Louis 21
Steve Montoya: Bishop Gorman 35, St. Louis 14
Stephen Spiewak: Bishop Gorman 31, St. Louis 10
Kevin Askeland: Bishop Gorman 27, St. Louis 21
Leland Gordon: Bishop Gorman 34, St. Louis 8
Jamie DeMoney: Bishop Gorman 35, St. Louis 21





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.