MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week

Regular-season titles could be decided in a majority of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week, and one of high school football's top rivalries is renewed in Ohio.

In Colorado, Mullen (Denver) looks to extend its 27-game winning streak and win a league championship when it hosts Columbine (Littleton, Colo.) Thursday night. Eight of the last 12 Class 5A state championships have been won by one of these teams. Meanwhile, in Ohio, the epitome of a high school football rivalry takes place when McKinley (Canton, Ohio) travels to Washington (Massillon, Ohio) for the 120th meeting in the series.

After an 8-2 week, the MaxPreps Projections has pulled within three games of leader Stephen Spiewak in our season-long prediction contest. Spiewak is now 71-29 after a 7-3 week. Jamie DeMoney slid into third place, now seven games off the pace, after a season-worst 4-6 effort last week. You can track the season-long standings and all the weekly results here.

Here's a look at this week's Top 10 games of the week along with predictions from MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Jamie DeMoney and projections for the games by the MaxPreps computer rankings:

Salmen (Slidell, La.) at Franklinton (La.), Thursday
Salmen surely hasn’t forgotten what happened the last time these teams met on the gridiron when it was embarrassed 60-0 in last year's 4A state semifinals. This year, Salmen (7-0) is No. 1 in the 4A state sportswriters poll while Franklinton (7-1) is ranked No. 2. Salmen must win its next two to secure the District 9-4A championship while Franklinton can capture it outright by beating Salmen.

Salmen enjoyed a bye week after throttling East Jefferson (Metairie, La.), 44-0. Daniel Sams, a 6-2, 210-pound Kansas State recruit, had two touchdown receptions in the game. Franklinton has won every game by at least 37 points since its first-week loss at then-nationally ranked Abilene (Texas). The Demons' top offensive weapons are super-quick 5-9 quarterback Terrance Magee (an LSU recruit) and running back Josh Robinson (Mississippi State).

Mitch Stephens: Salmen 35, Franklinton 21
Steve Montoya: Franklinton 41, Salem 35
Stephen Spiewak: Franklinton 35, Salem 28
Kevin Askeland: Franklinton 35, Salmen 30
Jamie DeMoney: Franklinton 38, Salmen 22
MaxPreps Projection: Salmen 35, Franklinton 28

Columbine (Littleton, Colo.) at Mullen (Denver), Thursday
The first-ever 5A West Metro title will be decided when undefeated powers Columbine (8-0) and Mullen (8-0) meet in the regular season finale for each team. These powers have combined for eight Class 5A championships since 1999, and the winner of this one would have to be considered the strong favorite this year.

Columbine had its most impressive outing of the season in a 51-21 rout of state-ranked Bear Creek (Lakewood, Colo.) last week. It avenged a 27-point loss to the Bears from a year ago. Junior running back Cameron McDondle continued to impress, scoring five touchdowns to boost his total to 25 for the season. Mullen owns the state's longest winning streak (27 games) and has been on cruise control after opening the season with four straight shutouts. The Mustangs have a stable of impressive Division I prospects on both sides of the ball including four-year starting running back Adonis Ameen Moore and flashy 6-4 junior quarterback Cyler Miles.

Mitch Stephens: Columbine 24, Mullen 21
Steve Montoya: Mullen 31, Columbine 24
Stephen Spiewak: Mullen 21, Columbine 10
Kevin Askeland: Mullen 28, Columbine 21
Jamie DeMoney: Mullen 30, Columbine 17
MaxPreps Projection: Mullen 31, Columbine 10

Prattville (Ala.) at Central (Miami), Friday
Prattville has a 2-3 record versus non-Alabama foes since 2007. Evening that out-of-state record on the road against the likes of an explosive Miami Central squad will be a tough task, although the Lions (7-2) have recovered from a slow start and are playing their best football of the season. They closed out their region schedule with a 21-0 win against Jeff Davis (Montgomery, Ala.) – their fourth consecutive shutout against the Volunteers. Alabama commit Caleb Gulledge, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound tackle, is one of several talented juniors on the roster.

Central is already 1-1 against out-of-state teams and 6-1 overall this season. A 45-42 setback at two-time defending Georgia 5A champ Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) in the opener is the Rockets' only loss. Their offense – featuring Florida International-committed quarterback Rakeem Cato and Florida State-bound running back Devonta Freeman – is averaging 43 points per game.

Mitch Stephens: Central 35, Prattville 28
Steve Montoya: Central 35, Prattville 24
Stephen Spiewak: Central 38, Prattville 31
Kevin Askeland: Central 42, Prattville 21
Jamie DeMoney: Central 33, Prattville 30
MaxPreps Projection: Central 35, Prattville 21

Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) at Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.), Friday
Some of the offensive woes brought upon by youth and inexperience in the early season appear to be fading for Byrnes, which racked up 131 points in its last two games. Junior Kolton Korn and freshman Shuler Bentley each passed and ran for touchdowns in a 77-7 rout of Hillcrest (Simpsonville, S.C.) last week. The Rebels (7-2) rose to No. 1 in some national polls last season but were beaten by Dorman in the 4A/I state championship game. They lead the all-time series record 25-23-1.

Dorman can clinch the Region II-4A title with a win in this nationally televised clash. The Cavaliers (9-0) have two offensive threats committed to Clemson in receiver Charone Peake and quarterback Adam Humphries, who scored three touchdowns in a workmanlike 35-7 win over Mann (Greenville, S.C.) last week.

Mitch Stephens: Dorman 21, Byrnes 20
Steve Montoya: Dorman 24, Byrnes 17
Stephen Spiewak: Dorman 17, Byrnes 10
Kevin Askeland: Dorman 28, Byrnes 14
Jamie DeMoney: Dorman 26, Byrnes 24
MaxPreps Projection: Dorman 27, Byrnes 17

Wayne Hills (Wayne, N.J.) at Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.), Friday
Wayne Hills would like to avenge its 16-8 loss to rival Ramapo in last year's North 1, Group 3 championship game. It broke the Patriots' run of six consecutive state titles and six straight wins against the Green Raiders. This year's team improved to 7-0 with a 57-0 blowout against Bergen Tech (Hackensack, N.J.) last week. Senior running back Brian Dowling was the star, rushing for 108 yards and three touchdowns on only six carries and also returning a punt for another touchdown. Under center is sophomore quarterback Kevin Olsen, son of coach Chris Olsen and brother of Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen.

Senior quarterback Tyler Ward threw for all three of Ramapo's touchdowns in last week's 21-0 shutout of Passaic Valley (Little Falls, N.J.). It was the Raiders' 14th consecutive win but only second by shutout during the streak. The winner of this one will lock up the top seed in the North I, Group 3 playoff bracket.

Mitch Stephens: Ramapo 21, Wayne Hills 17
Steve Montoya: Wayne Hills 17, Ramapo 10
Stephen Spiewak: Wayne Hills 28, Ramapo 27
Kevin Askeland: Wayne Hills 48, Ramapo 28
Jamie DeMoney: Ramapo 20, Wayne Hills 14
MaxPreps Projection: Wayne Hills 24, Ramapo 20

West Jones (Laurel, Miss.) at Picayune (Miss.), Friday
If there is a team in Mississippi capable of beating nationally ranked and defending 6A state champion South Panola (Batesville, Miss.), it might be West Jones. Unfortunately, the teams will not play this season. The Mustangs are 8-0 and shut out four of their first five opponents. Last week, they avenged their only loss from 2009 with a 40-14 rout of Wayne County (Waynesboro, Miss.). Senior quarterback Ben Stevens has been outstanding, completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,525 yards with 16 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

Picayune has matched West Jones' 8-0 mark to this point and features one of the state's top running backs in 5-7, 190-pound dynamo Jamal Hall. The senior averages nearly 10 yards per carry and has totaled 1,776 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. The winner of this one will clinch at least a share of the 5A Region 3 championship.

Mitch Stephens: West Jones 38, Picayune 35
Steve Montoya: West Jones 22, Picayune 21
Stephen Spiewak: West Jones 28, Picayune 14
Kevin Askeland: Picayune 30, West Jones 25
Jamie DeMoney: West Jones 35, Picayune 27
MaxPreps Projection: West Jones 31, Picayune 27

Blue Valley (Stilwell, Kan.) at Gardner-Edgerton (Gardner, Kan.), Friday
An outright Eastern Kansas League championship and top 5A playoff seedings are on the line in this season finale for both undefeated teams. Blue Valley (8-0) has rebounded from a subpar 5-7 campaign and is ranked fourth in the state by MaxPreps and seventh by the Topeka Capital-Journal. Indiana recruit Kirk Harris (6-5, 285) has helped pave the way for an offense that averages 46 points per game.

Last week, Gardner-Edgerton showed a national television audience why it's ranked No. 1 in Kansas by both MaxPreps and the Topeka Capital-Journal. Led by 6-5 quarterback Bubba Starling at quarterback, the Blazers trounced St. Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.), 57-17. Starling, a Nebraska recruit, completed only 2 of 3 passing attempts for 14 yards and a touchdown but ran for 313 yards on 19 carries in the game, which was played in rainy conditions.

Mitch Stephens: Gardner-Edgerton 35, Blue Valley 24
Steve Montoya: Gardner-Edgerton 45, Blue Valley 35
Stephen Spiewak: Gardner-Edgerton 31, Blue Valley 17
Kevin Askeland: Gardner-Edgerton 27, Blue Valley 21
Jamie DeMoney: Gardner-Edgerton 27, Blue Valley 13
MaxPreps Projection: Gardner-Edgerton 35, Blue Valley 31

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. Servite (Anaheim, Calif.), Friday
It's the 50th meeting between these Orange County Catholic rivals in a game that will be played at Angels Stadium in Anaheim. A crowed approaching 25,000 is expected, according to the Orange County Register. Servite defeated Mater Dei 30-20 last season – its first win over the Monarchs in over two decades. The Trinity League title is still very much up for grabs with Mater Dei, Servite and Santa Margarita all sporting 2-0 records with three weeks left in the regular season.

Mater Dei (5-3) seems to have righted the ship after a horrific start when it lost its first three games by a combined 87 points. Last week, USC recruits Max Wittek and Victor Blackwell connected for their eighth passing touchdown of the season as the Monarchs defeated Lutheran (Orange, Calif.), 28-14. It was their first win against the Lancers since 2004. Servite (7-0) won its 18th consecutive game but dropped three spots in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 this week after a too-close-for-comfort 32-24 decision against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.). It was the first time all season the Friars allowed an opponent to score in double digits.

Mitch Stephens: Servite 24, Mater Dei 21
Steve Montoya: Servite 34, Mater Dei 20
Stephen Spiewak: Servite 21, Mater Dei 10
Kevin Askeland: Servite 19, Mater Dei 14
Jamie DeMoney: Servite 26, Mater Dei 21
MaxPreps Projection: Servite 21, Mater Dei 14

Bothell (Wash.) at Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.), Friday
The KingCo 4A championship will go to the winner of this game matching Bothell – ranked No. 3 in the state by the Seattle Times – and No. 1-ranked Skyline. These teams met twice last season, with Bothell upsetting the Spartans 25-20 in the regular season and Skyline getting revenge, 31-26, in the 4A state semifinals.

Bothell (7-1) has not lost since a 49-13 humbling at the hands of Southern California power Mission Viejo in the season-opener at Qwest Field. Quarterback Braden Foley, a 6-5 senior, has thrown for nearly 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns in the last seven games. Skyline (7-1) is also now clicking on all cylinders after it lost the opener to Liberty (Renton, Wash.), 39-34. Max Browne has stepped in admirably for graduated All-American quarterback Jake Heaps. The 6-5 sophomore has completed 73 percent of his throws for 2,342 yards with 29 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Senior Kasen Williams, the nation's top-ranked receiver prospect, has 47 catches for 776 yards and 11 scores.

Mitch Stephens: Skyline 35, Bothell 28
Steve Montoya: Skyline 14, Bothell 10
Stephen Spiewak: Skyline 30, Bothell 20
Kevin Askeland: Bothell 32, Skyline 30
Jamie DeMoney: Skyline 31, Bothell 24
MaxPreps Projection: Skyline 28, Bothell 21

McKinley (Canton, Ohio) at Washington (Massillon, Ohio), Saturday
Arguably the nation's top high school football rivalry renews on Saturday for the 120th time. The teams split a pair of games last season, with McKinley beating the Tigers 35-21 in the regular season finale and Washington evening the score with a 10-7 victory in the Region 2 championship. Washington has 64 wins in the series to McKinley's 50 and there have been five ties. McKinley is a 10-time state champion – including seven poll titles prior to a state playoff system – while Washington claims 22 state titles, all coming before the advent of playoffs.

It should be a fun matchup of McKinley's power running game versus Washington's lethal passing attack. McKinley improved to 7-2 after jumping to a 20-0 lead then holding on to beat Boardman (Youngstown, Ohio), 27-20, last week. Senior Elijah Farrakhan and junior Sa'veon Holloway each have nine rushing touchdowns for the Bulldogs this season. Washington (7-2) rolled past an outmanned Avon Grove (West Grove, Pa.) team, 55-14, a week ago. Ohio State-bound receiver Devin Smith caught six passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

Mitch Stephens: Washington 21, McKinley 20
Steve Montoya: Washington 20, McKinley 7
Stephen Spiewak: McKinley 35, Washington 28
Kevin Askeland: Washington 14, McKinley 13
Jamie DeMoney: McKinley 30, Washington 27
MaxPreps Projection: McKinley 19, Washington 17

MaxPreps contributor Jamie DeMoney has covered high school sports and recruiting for more than 15 years. He is editor and founder of PrepNation.com. You can reach him at PrepNation@aol.com.