MaxPreps Top 10 high school football games of the week

It's the final weekend of the regular season in football-crazy Texas. And that's where we begin our latest look at the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week.

No. 11 Manvel (Texas) will square off with fellow unbeaten Pearland Friday night for the outright District 22-6A title. This is a revenge spot for Pearland, which was unbeaten and nationally ranked last year before being humbled by Manvel in the regular-season finale, 42-7.

Meanwhile, this week's preview also has several key postseason matchups. In Minnesota, Eden Prairie looks to protect its dynasty with a state quarterfinal win against emerging power East Ridge. Missouri's quarterfinal round features a showdown of St. Louis-area unbeaten Christian Brothers and Hazelwood Central. And, in Indiana, conference rivals Warren Central and Ben Davis butt heads again in the Class 6A quarterfinals.



A 9-1 record last week allowed Jamie DeMoney to inch farther atop the standings of our season-long predictions contest. DeMoney's cumulative record of 77-33 is now three games better than second-place holder Stephen Spiewak. Third place belongs to Mitch Stephens (72-38), followed by Kevin Askeland and Leland Gordon (69-41), then Colin Ward-Henninger (64-46).

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.

To catch up with what's happening in the playoffs nationwide, visit the MaxPreps playoffs home page.


Manvel (Texas) at Pearland (Texas)

What to watch: Manvel (9-0) has been perhaps the most dominant team in Texas so far this season, beating opponents by an average margin of 40 points. The Mavericks boast a number of highly touted juniors, including Texas-committed receiver Reggie Hemphill-Mapps and defensive back Deontay Anderson, rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports. Pearland (9-0) is coming off its bye week after a 30-3 win at Pasadena Memorial on Oct. 25. Senior quarterback Jake Blumrick continued a stellar first season with the Oilers (since transferring from Friendswood) by passing for 302 yards and three touchdowns, according to yourhoustonnews.com.

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Just the facts: Manvel has compiled an impressive 71-24 record since its first varsity season in 2007. … Pearland wants to extend a 10-game home winning streak. Its last home loss was in 2012 against Manvel.



Mitch Stephens: Manvel 31, Pearland 21
Kevin Askeland: Manvel 25, Pearland 18
Jamie DeMoney: Manvel 38, Pearland 17
Stephen Spiewak: Manvel 21, Pearland 7
Leland Gordon: Manvel 37, Pearland 30
Colin Ward-Henninger: Manvel 44, Pearland 42


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Warren Central (Indianapolis) at Ben Davis (Indianapolis)

What to watch: The top Indiana 6A state quarterfinal matchup of the week is a rematch of a Sept. 19 conference game won by Warren Central (28-21). That was the first loss of the season for Ben Davis (now 9-2) and knocked it out of the MaxPreps Xcellent 25. The Giants lost again two weeks later to No. 21 Carmel but have rebounded with four consecutive wins, including a 34-27 decision over Avon last week. Junior running back Chris Evans led the way with a season-high 193 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Warren Central, whose only in-state loss was also to Carmel, stymied Lawrence Central (Indianapolis), 16-0, for its second-straight shutout in the postseason. On a cold, snowy night, the Warriors outrushed Lawrence Central, 319-57, according to the Indianapolis Star.

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Just the facts: Warren Central's win over Ben Davis earlier this year was its 12th in the 14 games played in the series since 2004. … Ben Davis' sectional title last week was its 20th since 1977. Warren Central earned its 15th sectional crown since 1984.

Mitch Stephens: Ben Davis 28, Warren Central 21
Kevin Askeland: Ben Davis 35, Warren Central 28
Jamie DeMoney: Warren Central 17, Ben Davis 10
Stephen Spiewak: Warren Central 21, Ben Davis 20
Leland Gordon: Ben Davis 21, Warren Central 18
Colin Ward-Henninger: Warren Central 21, Ben Davis 20


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East Ridge (Woodbury, Minn.) vs. Eden Prairie (Minn.)





What to watch: Four-star junior quarterback Seth Green hopes to lead upstart East Ridge to a state playoff stunner over longtime power Eden Prairie. Green, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound dual threat who committed to Oregon earlier this season, completed only four passes for 54 yards in a 20-17 win over Osseo last week but ran for 81 yards on just 10 carries, according to twincities.com. This is the first nine-win season for East Ridge (9-1) since the school opened in 2009. Conversely, Eden Prairie (10-0) has hit 10 wins in a season for the 10th time in 11 years. The Eagles advanced with a 34-14 win over Burnsville last week. Senior running back William Rains gained a season-high 178 rushing yards and three touchdowns for EP.

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Just the facts: Eden Prairie is bidding for its fourth-consecutive state championship and its 10th since 1996. … Friday will be the first meeting ever between these programs.

Mitch Stephens: Eden Prairie 35, East Ridge 28
Kevin Askeland: Eden Prairie 28, East Ridge 27
Jamie DeMoney: Eden Prairie 37, East Ridge 27
Stephen Spiewak: Eden Prairie 30, East Ridge 20
Leland Gordon: Eden Prairie 27, East Ridge 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Eden Prairie 24, East Ridge 17
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Christian Brothers (St. Louis) at Hazelwood Central (Florissant, Mo.)

What to watch: Christian Brothers has rolled to an 11-0 record with an average game score of 51-8. Senior running back Calen Taylor, an Army recruit, led the Cadets with 147 yards on only 13 carries in a 45-0 rout of Howell North (St. Charles) last week. Junior two-sport standout Xavier Sneed (basketball) had 103 receiving yards and a touchdown to help Hazelwood Central (11-0) advance with a 23-14 win over St. Louis University. It's the sixth time in the last seven years the Hawks have reached at least the state quarterfinals.

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Just the facts: Friday will be the sixth postseason meeting between these teams in the last nine seasons. Hazelwood Central won three of the previous five games, including a 26-24 nailbiter in last year's quarterfinal round. … Hazelwood Central is shooting for its first state championship since 2009 and fifth overall. Christian Brothers claims state championships in nine different team sports but none in football.

Mitch Stephens: Hazelwood Central 35, Christian Brothers 28
Kevin Askeland: Christian Brothers 24, Hazelwood Central 21
Jamie DeMoney: Hazelwood Central 34, Christian Brothers 28
Stephen Spiewak: Christian Brothers 35, Hazelwood Central 21
Leland Gordon: Christian Brothers 24, Hazelwood Central 18
Colin Ward-Henninger: Christian Brothers 42, Hazelwood Central 35


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Alemany (Mission Hills, Calif.) at Crespi (Encino, Calif.)

What to watch: Crespi will try to grab at least a share of the Mission League championship, and both teams aim to sharpen their games in advance of likely bids to next week's Pac-5 Division playoffs. Crespi (7-1) was the hammer and Chaminade (West Hills) was the nail in a 50-17 rout last week, according to the Los Angeles Daily News. As a team, the Celts ran for 484 yards and six touchdowns without needing a single pass attempt. On the same night, Alemany (7-2) got a much-needed 14-10 win over Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks). It was a bounce-back performance for the Warriors, who lost starting quarterback Blake Green to a season-ending shoulder injury during a 38-21 defeat against Serra (Gardena) on Oct. 24.

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Just the facts: This is the first season the newly remodeled Mission League is part of the ultra-competitive Pac-5 Division playoffs. Pac-5 participants comprise 14 of the Top 25 teams in MaxPreps' California Computer Rankings this week. … Friday will be the ninth meeting of these teams in the last 11 seasons. They are tied 4-4, but Alemany has won four of the last five, including a 34-7 rout in the first round of the playoffs last season.

Mitch Stephens: Alemany 27, Crespi 24
Kevin Askeland: Alemany 35, Crespi 34
Jamie DeMoney: Crespi 30, Alemany 14
Stephen Spiewak: Crespi 35, Alemany 32
Leland Gordon: Alemany 33, Crespi 31
Colin Ward-Henninger: Crespi 35, Alemany 31


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Independence (Charlotte, N.C.) at Butler (Matthews, N.C.)

What to watch: Independence (10-0) is closing in on its first season with at least 11 wins since 2009. That was the last year of the Tommy Knotts era, during which the Patriots won six state titles and had the second-longest winning streak in history (109 games) between 2000-07. Independence went 8-1 against Butler from 2004 to 2008, but Butler has answered with nine consecutive wins to shift the balance of power in the rivalry to its side. Independence was known for its high-powered offense last decade, but it has a dominant defense this year that has recorded six shutouts in 10 games. The only loss for Butler (9-1) this season was a 55-54 road squeaker against unbeaten Richmond (Rockingham) on Sept. 19.



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Just the facts: Junior Quantavious McGill ran for a season-high 267 yards and four touchdowns on only 15 carries in Independence's 47-19 blowout of Rocky River (Mint Hill) last week, according to the Charlotte Observer. … Senior quarterback Anthony Ratliff-Williams totaled 333 combined passing and rushing yards with six touchdowns in Butler's last game, a 55-0 rout of Porter Ridge (Indian Trail) on Oct. 24.

Mitch Stephens: Butler 21, Independence 20
Kevin Askeland: Butler 28, Independence 21
Jamie DeMoney: Butler 29, Independence 24
Stephen Spiewak: Independence 35, Butler 31
Leland Gordon: Butler 30, Independence 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Butler 24, Independence 20


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Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.) at Godby (Tallahassee, Fla.)

What to watch: The unofficial title of top dog in Tallahassee will be given to Friday night's winner of this battle of district titlists. Lincoln (7-1), the Class 7A District 2 champion, has won seven in a row after opening the season with a 49-27 loss at Georgia power Camden County (Kingsland). The Trojans' offensive leader with 924 all-purpose yards this year is senior receiver John Burt, a Texas pledge who is rated four stars by 247Sports. The go-to guy on offense for 5A District 2 champ Godby (7-2) has been three-star running back P.J. Simmons. The 5-10, 192-pound senior has 1,538 all-purpose yards and averages nearly 13 yards every time he touches the ball.

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Just the facts: Godby has beaten Lincoln two years in a row but still trails 3-7 in games played since 2004. … Lincoln has had at least one player sign with a FBS college every year since 1987.



Mitch Stephens: Lincoln 28, Godby 24
Kevin Askeland: Godby 28, Lincoln 24
Jamie DeMoney: Lincoln 27, Godby 20
Stephen Spiewak: Lincoln 35, Godby 21
Leland Gordon: Godby 35, Lincoln 29
Colin Ward-Henninger: Godby 35, Lincoln 28


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Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.) at Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.)

What to watch: It's a second-round Class 8A playoff game that feels more like a state championship matchup. Both teams are among the top four in the latest MaxPreps Illinois Computer Rankings. Even with two losses, Loyola (8-2) is ranked second among all teams in the state. The Ramblers have played arguably Illinois' toughest schedule, with only two opponents failing to qualify for the postseason. They advanced to second-round play with a 37-20 win against Warren (Gurnee) in which the Ramblers scored 27 third-quarter points. Meanwhile, fourth-ranked Stevenson improved to 10-0 with a closer-than-expected 21-17 win over Lyons (LaGrange). Senior running back Jack Joseph scored the game-winning touchdown for the Patriots in the fourth quarter and totaled 101 rushing yards for the game, according to the Chicago Tribune.

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Just the facts: This is a rematch of a Class 8A state semifinal game from last season won by Loyola, 15-14. Overall, Loyola has beaten Stevenson three times in the past eight years. … Stevenson has qualified for the state playoffs in every season since 1989. Loyola's current postseason streak began in 2002.

Mitch Stephens: Stevenson 21, Loyola 20
Kevin Askeland: Loyola 21, Stevenson 20
Jamie DeMoney: Loyola 27, Stevenson 26
Stephen Spiewak: Loyola 20, Stevenson 16
Leland Gordon: Stevenson 19, Loyola 17
Colin Ward-Henninger: Loyola 28, Stevenson 20


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McDonogh (Owings Mills, Md.) at Gilman (Baltimore)

What to watch: For the second-straight season, the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association Conference A champion will go to the winner of this rivalry, which will be renewed for the 99th time on Saturday afternoon. Gilman has eight straight lopsided wins after it was hammered by then-nationally ranked St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) and current No. 4 Paramus Catholic (N.J.) the first two weeks of the season. The Greyhounds scored only seven points total in those two games but have since averaged over 42 points per contest thanks to an improved offensive rhythm directed by Florida State-bound senior quarterback Kai Locksley. On the other side, McDonogh (6-3) has had plenty of ups and downs against a grueling schedule that featured teams from five different states. The high point was a 28-14 road win over once-nationally ranked Elder (Cincinnati). The low moment was an 8-3 loss two weeks ago against a St. Frances (Baltimore) team that might finish the year below .500. The most consistent facet of McDonogh's team this season has been its defense, a unit led by Purdue-committed senior linebacker Wyatt Cook.



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Just the facts: A Gilman win would lock up an outright conference championship. It would be the Greyhounds' 13th MIAA title in 21 years. McDonogh needs a win to earn a share of the championship for the third time since 2009. … McDonogh ended a five-game losing streak to Gilman last season but still trails 59-34-5 in the all-time series.

Mitch Stephens: Gilman 35, McDonogh 28
Kevin Askeland: Gilman 40, McDonogh 35
Jamie DeMoney: Gilman 31, McDonogh 14
Stephen Spiewak: Gilman 21, McDonogh 14
Leland Gordon: Gilman 28, McDonogh 26
Colin Ward-Henninger: Gilman 14, McDonogh 13


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Grant (Sacramento, Calif.) at Jesuit (Carmichael, Calif.)

What to watch: The final two unbeaten teams in Delta League competition battle on the final night of the regular season. A win means not only a conference crown for Grant (9-0) but also its first undefeated regular season since it accomplished that feat three straight years from 2008-10. The Pacers are fresh off the largest win of the season, a 66-6 annihilation of Davis. Junior running back Deshawn Collins had his seventh-straight game with over 100 rushing yards and scored two touchdowns. Jesuit (8-1) has eight wins in a row since being dominated, 63-0, by No. 2 De La Salle (Concord) on opening weekend. Junior running back Beau Bisharat has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in seven of the Marauders' last eight games.

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Just the facts: Grant is the only Northern California team other than De La Salle to win the CIF State Bowl Game Open Division championship since the format began in 2008. … This will be the first meeting in more than a decade between these teams, who were not in the same conference before this season.

Mitch Stephens: Grant 42, Jesuit 28
Kevin Askeland: Grant 45, Jesuit 36
Jamie DeMoney: Grant 35, Jesuit 20
Stephen Spiewak: Jesuit 35, Grant 34
Leland Gordon: Grant 38, Jesuit 28
Colin Ward-Henninger: Grant 28, Jesuit 20



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.