MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

The slogan "Everything's bigger in Texas" certainly applies to the state's high school football prowess. Not many other areas would produce even one, let alone a pair, of second-round playoff games that feature teams currently or once ranked in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard.

Cowboys Stadium will host the most hyped showdown of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week. No. 13 Trinity (Euless) is looking to win in a second-round playoff game for an eighth consecutive year. Standing in its way is No. 21 Allen, a team that has been less dominant than expected but is still very capable of capturing a second state title in four years. Elsewhere in the Texas 5A-I bracket, No. 16 Skyline (Dallas) will face once-nationally ranked DeSoto. It's the fourth consecutive year the teams face each other in the second round of the playoffs.

Another early-round playoff game with great appeal is a Washington Class 3A bracket quarterfinal matchup between No. 22 Bellevue and fellow unbeaten Lakes (Lakewood). These are the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the Seattle Times state rankings.

Meanwhile, championships are on the line this weekend in a number of other states. The Iowa Class 4A title will be contested between two of the most storied Iowa large-school programs when Bettendorf takes on undefeated Valley (West Des Moines). Out West, Lone Peak (Highland) – behind dynamic quarterback Chase Hansen – looks to finish the season unbeaten and with a state title when it takes on Fremont (Plain City) in the Utah 5A championship game.



Jamie DeMoney remains atop the leaderboard in our season-long predictions contest. DeMoney picked eight out of 10 games correctly last week. He is two games ahead of Stephen Spiewak, who posted a nearly perfect 9-1 record. You can track our overall results and standings all season long by clicking here.

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 and Jamie DeMoney.

MAXPREPS TOP 10 FOOTBALL GAMES OF THE WEEK

No. 13 Trinity (Euless, Texas) vs. No. 21 Allen (Texas)

Both these teams have been in the Xcellent 25 all season long. The winner of Saturday's matchup will join the survivor of the Skyline-DeSoto game as remaining favorites in the Class 5A-I bracket. Trinity hangs it hat on a run-oriented offense and a tough, physical defense. But the Trojans proved they can score a lot of points when necessary in their 55-36 win over Duncanville last week. Trinity is seeking its fourth state title since 2005. It has reached at least the state quarterfinals every season since 2004.

Not surprisingly, Allen enters this game 11-0 and ranked in every national poll. What is unexpected, however, is the difficulty with which those 11 wins came and the fact the Eagles are now 16 spots lower in the Xcellent 25 than where they began the season. The reason for Allen's fall in the rankings is the number of close wins it's had this year. It trailed Keller Central, 17-13, in the fourth quarter last week before rallying to win 30-17. Remarkably, it was the fifth time in six weeks the Eagles have trailed in the fourth quarter.



Mitch Stephens: Allen 22, Trinity 21
Steve Montoya: Trinity 21, Allen 10
Stephen Spiewak: Trinity 35, Allen 28
Kevin Askeland: Trinity 48, Allen 41
Jamie DeMoney: Trinity 33, Allen 30
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Fremont (Plain City, Utah) vs. Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)

The Utah 5A bracket championship game at Rice-Eccles Stadium features a pair of teams that met last year in the state semifinals. Fremont won that game, 20-14, then lost in the title game to Bingham. This season, the Silver Wolves (10-2) have won their last eight games, including a 21-14 overtime win over Syracuse last week. Utah State commit Nick Vigil ran for 168 yards and was responsible for all three touchdowns, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.

In an equally close but much higher-scoring game, Lone Peak (Highland) remained undefeated with a 45-41 win over Jordan in last week's other semifinal. Quarterback Chase Hansen continued his remarkable senior season, throwing for 316 yards, running for 146 yards and accounting for five touchdowns. The Utah commit has just less than 4,000 yards of total offense and 49 touchdowns this season.

Mitch Stephens: Fremont 28, Lone Peak 24
Steve Montoya: Lone Peak 17, Fremont 10
Stephen Spiewak: Lone Peak 28, Fremont 24
Kevin Askeland: Lone Peak 24, Fremont 20
Jamie DeMoney: Lone Peak 29, Fremont 23

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DeSoto (Texas) vs. No. 16 Skyline (Dallas)

DeSoto blanked Skyline, 38-0, in last year's playoffs after losing to the Raiders in two previous postseason meetings. The Eagles (10-1) rose to No. 11 in the nation before losing their regular season finale to Longview. They'll try to continue rebounding in this Saturday contest.

Skyline has climbed in the Xcellent 25 after winning all 11 of its games by at least 16 points. The average score of the Raiders' games this season is 46-6. Quarterback Devante Kincade is having a breakout junior season, completing more than 70 percent of his passes for more than 2,500 yards with 32 touchdowns and only three interceptions.



Mitch Stephens: DeSoto 35, Skyline 28
Steve Montoya: Skyline 20, DeSoto 17
Stephen Spiewak: Skyline 42, DeSoto 41
Kevin Askeland: Skyline 35, DeSoto 31
Jamie DeMoney: DeSoto 45, Skyline 28

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Bettendorf (Iowa) vs. Valley (West Des Moines, Iowa)

Two of the top programs in Iowa football history will meet Friday night at the UNI-Dome in the Iowa 4A bracket championship game. These schools have combined for 11 state titles and 17 finals appearances since 1979 but have met each other only three times in the championship game. The last time was in 2004 when Bettendorf beat Valley, 34-22. It is one of seven titles the Bulldogs have won since 1981. This year, they are 12-1 after rolling past preseason favorite Cedar Falls in last week's semifinals, 35-7.

Valley won four state crowns between 2002 and 2008 but the program endured nine total losses in 2009 and 2010. Veteran coach Gary Swenson has the Tigers back in prime position following a 14-3 win over Central Iowa Metro League rival Ankeny last week. Senior running back Trey Lewis led the way with 111 rushing yards.

Mitch Stephens: Valley 28, Bettendorf 21
Steve Montoya: Bettendorf 10, Valley 6
Stephen Spiewak: Valley 21, Bettendorf 14
Kevin Askeland: Valley 28, Bettendorf 20
Jamie DeMoney: Valley 21, Bettendorf 10

Watch more videos of Bettendorf football
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Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) vs. Eagle (Idaho)

Coeur d'Alene has continued to creep up various national rankings over the course of the season. The Vikings (11-0), who will play Eagle for the Idaho 5A bracket championship on Boise State University's famed blue turf, are No. 38 in this week's MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. One reason the polls have taken notice is Coeur d'Alene's prolific offense that has averaged more than 52 points per game. The Vikings' signature win this season was a 55-6 blowout of Whitney (Rocklin, Calif.).



Coeur d'Alene is shooting for its second consecutive state title while Eagle (10-1) hopes to win its second in three seasons. BYU-committed quarterback Tanner Mangum had 325 passing yards and four touchdowns in the Mustangs' 42-21 win over Highland (Pocatello) in last week's semifinals.

Mitch Stephens: Coeur d'Alene 30, Eagle 28
Steve Montoya: Eagle 13, Coeur d'Alene 12
Stephen Spiewak: Coeur d'Alene 42, Eagle 28
Kevin Askeland: Eagle 28, Coeur d'Alene 14
Jamie DeMoney: Coeur d'Alene 45, Eagle 38

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Palo Verde (Las Vegas) at No. 8 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Bishop Gorman has designs on its third consecutive 4A state title but first it must vanquish undefeated Palo Verde in the Sunset Region bracket championship game. The Gaels have won 36 straight against Nevada competition, including postseason wins over Palo Verde in each of the last two seasons. In last year's Sunset final, Bishop Gorman beat Palo Verde, 28-10. This year, Bishop Gorman is 12-1, as its only loss came in Week 2 to second-ranked Armwood (Seffner, Fla.).

Palo Verde remained undefeated and earned a shot against Bishop Gorman with a 23-20 win over Centennial (Las Vegas) last week. Sophomore quarterback Parker Rost engineered a go-ahead scoring drive late in the game to secure the victory.

Mitch Stephens: Bishop Gorman 42, Palo Verde 21
Steve Montoya: Bishop Gorman 28, Palo Verde 10
Stephen Spiewak: Bishop Gorman 42, Palo Verde 10
Kevin Askeland: Bishop Gorman 60, Palo Verde 6
Jamie DeMoney: Bishop Gorman 35, Palo Verde 21

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Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.) vs. Chaparral (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

Two of Arizona's top former Class 5A-II programs meet in semifinals of the newly formed Division II playoff bracket. Centennial won three consecutive state titles from 2006-08 and lost in the championship game last season. The Coyotes (11-1) avenged their only loss this season with a 28-21 win over Deer Valley (Glendale) last week. They stopped Deer Valley from scoring on four consecutive plays from inside their own 2-yard line at the end of the game to preserve victory.



Chaparral is looking for its third straight state championship. It beat Centennial in the 5A-II final last season, 32-17. The Firebirds have won 30 straight against Arizona opponents. Their only loss this year came in the opener to nationally ranked Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at University of Phoenix Stadium. University of Texas commit Connor Brewer has completed 155 of 242 passes for 2,656 yards with 40 touchdowns and only five interceptions this season.

Mitch Stephens: Chaparral 28, Centennial 20
Steve Montoya: Chaparral 20, Centennial 10
Stephen Spiewak: Chaparral 31, Centennial 21
Kevin Askeland: Chaparral 48, Centennial 24
Jamie DeMoney: Chaparral 34, Centennial 14

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No. 22 Bellevue (Wash.) at Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.)

An early obstacle awaits nationally ranked Bellevue in its quest for a fourth consecutive Class 3A bracket title. Lakes might be the most talented team the Wolverines have faced since their season-opening win over then-nationally ranked Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.). But, while often being neither bigger nor faster than its opponent, Bellevue and its Wing-T offense is tough to prepare for and the Wolverines rarely beat themselves. Bellevue's record under coach Butch Goncharoff is 141-12 and it has won eight state titles since 2001.

Lakes can tap into last year's 35-7 quarterfinal loss to Bellevue for added inspiration as it prepares for Friday night's contest. Intangibles aside, the Lancers have plenty of talent in their arsenal to produce an upset and move one step closer to their first state title since 1997. Quarterback David Wood engineers an offense that is averaging 53 points per game. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior has 1,903 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He is protected by 6-8, 295-pound tackle Zach Banner, a MaxPreps Top 100 recruit.

Mitch Stephens: Bellevue 35, Lakes 31
Steve Montoya: Lakes 21, Bellevue 20
Stephen Spiewak: Bellevue 38, Lakes 17
Kevin Askeland: Bellevue 30, Lakes 28
Jamie DeMoney: Bellevue 28, Lakes 20

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Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) vs. No. 7 Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.)

Last week Gonzaga (8-3) earned its first berth in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game since 2003 while knocking DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) out of the final for the first time in 15 years. Junior quarterback Chris Schultz connected with Brady Malone on a game-ending 2-point conversion in overtime for a 28-27 victory. It was the Eagles' sixth consecutive win since suffering a 49-7 loss to Good Counsel on Sept. 23.



Good Counsel returns to the WCAC championship game (to be played on Saturday) for the eighth consecutive year. The Falcons (11-0) are a heavy favorite to win their third straight title following last week's 47-7 rout of St. John's (Washington), which was sparked by a third-quarter explosion of 35 points. MaxPreps Top 100 recruit Stefon Diggs returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown and senior running back Wes Brown had four rushing scores in the 12-minute span.

Mitch Stephens: Good Counsel 28, Gonzaga 17
Steve Montoya: Good Counsel 28, Gonzaga 17
Stephen Spiewak: Good Counsel 35, Gonzaga 21
Kevin Askeland: Good Counsel 28, Gonzaga 7
Jamie DeMoney: Good Counsel 55, Gonzaga 20

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Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul, Minn.) vs. Wayzata (Plymouth, Minn.)

The Metrodome will host this Minnesota Class 5A bracket semifinal matchup Saturday between a pair of unbeaten teams. Cretin-Derham Hall seeks its second state championship in three years and its third since 1999. The Raiders beat then-undefeated Lakeville North in last week's quarterfinal round, 25-22. Senior Zachary Hager connected on a 32-yard field goal in the closing seconds for the final margin of victory.

Defending champion Wayzata extended its winning streak to 22 with a comfortable 49-14 win over Moorhead last Saturday. Senior Antonio Ford led the Trojans with 249 rushing yards on only 18 carries, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. These Twin Cities powers haven't met in football since 2006, a game won by Cretin-Derham Hall. Their most recent meeting prior to that was in the 2005 Class 5A championship game, when a James Laurinaitis-led Wayzata squad won 28-24.

Mitch Stephens: Wayzata 29, Cretin-Derham Hall 28
Steve Montoya: Cretin-Derham Hall 21, Wayzata 14
Stephen Spiewak: Wayzata 35, Cretin-Derham Hall 28
Kevin Askeland: Wayzata 28, Cretin-Derham Hall 21
Jamie DeMoney: Wayzata 27, Cretin-Derham Hall 17

Jamie DeMoney is National Content Manager for XOS Digital PlayerOnDemand. He has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years.