High school football's weekend slate is headlined by Arizona rivals No. 19
Hamilton (Chandler) and
Chandler battling for a region title.
Chandler is ranked No. 4 in Arizona and has won seven in a row since falling to California heavyweight
Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) in September.
Hamilton earned a spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 after taking down then-No. 18
Basha (Chandler) in October.
A pair of sophomores lead the way for Hamilton. Quarterback
Jax Sculley has thrown 41 touchdown passes on the season, including 25 to wide receiver
Roye Oliver III.
In nine games this season, sophomore Hamilton wide receiver Roye Hamilton III has 25 touchdown catches and 1,400 yards. The four-star has 17 offers including Arizona State, Oregon and Texas. (PHOTO: Steven Davis)
In Indiana, state No. 2
Carmel will host No. 3
Westfield in the second round of the 6A state playoffs.
Carmel won the regular season meeting 34-10 but Westfield has a new quarterback in
Cooper Melvin. The sophomore has started the last four games and defeated two top 10 teams in the state.
Westfield also took state No. 1
Brownsburg down to the wire before falling 14-10.
A strong senior class has set the tone for Carmel, which went 3-7 last year. This year, the only loss came against
Trinity (Louisville), the No. 1 team in Kentucky.
In Texas,
Westlake (Austin) takes on
Dripping Springs in the final regular season game. The district rivals have played the past three seasons and Westlake has won each game by an average of 17.7 points.
The teams have a common opponent in
Lake Travis (Austin) and both lost. Dripping Springs fell 14-7 while Westlake lost 31-10.
Read on for a complete look at this week's biggest games.
Top 10 biggest games this week
No. 19 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) at Chandler (Ariz.) Friday, 7 p.m. (All times local) - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Hamilton: QB
Jax Sculley (6-3, 190), RB
Skyler Cole (5-11, 195), WR
Roye Oliver III (5-11, 165), DE
Derrick LeBlanc Jr. (6-2, 228), LB
Mitchell Raner (6-0, 190)
Chandler: QB
Will Mencl (6-4, 205), RB
Chase Ochoa (5-11, 203), WR
Jai Jones (6-2, 177), LB
Jayden Arnold (6-1, 200), S
Austin Reese (6-0, 175)
The 6A Fiesta title is at stake as these top five Arizona teams lock horns in the regular season finale. Hamilton has won three of the last four against Chandler, including a 56-14 victory in 2024. The Huskies are the top-ranked team in the state and average nearly 55 points per game.
Westfield (Ind.) at Carmel (Ind.) Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Westfield: QB
Cooper Melvin (6-2, 170), RB
Deacon King (6-1, 215), WR
Andrew Noble (6-0, 185), DE
Alex Aramboles (6-0, 220), DB
Logan Loring (6-3, 180)
Carmel: QB
Anthony Coellner (6-2, 205), RB
Andrew Pemberton (5-10, 175), WR
Jacob Bellin (6-1, 190), LB
Dane Bathurst (6-4, 235), S
Drake Coellner (6-0, 200)
These teams are three wins away from playing at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 29 in the state championship. Carmel is ranked No. 2 in the state and puts up over 50 points per game. Westfield is right behind at No. 3 and won regular season games over Indiana top 10 teams Avon and Fishers.
Westlake (Austin, Texas) vs. Dripping Springs (Texas) Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Westlake: QB
Rees Wise (6-2, 210), RB
Jarren Lopez (5-6, 162), WR
Jack Newhouse (6-5, 195), DE
Austin Knape (6-3, 220), DB
Thompson Bennett (6-1,195)
Dripping Springs: QB
Chase Ames (6-0, 175), WR
James Montgomery (5-11, 170), OL
Holden Yeldell (6-1, 275), LB
Dylan Brasher (6-2, 215), LB
Miles Kennedy (6-1, 190)
Lake Travis defeated both Dripping Springs and Westlake and will win the district title with a win over Austin. Westlake is ranked No. 84 in the nation and have a big win over Atascocita earlier this season. Dripping Springs checks in at No. 95 with the only loss coming to Lake Travis 14-7.
East St. Louis (Ill.) at Glenwood (Chatham, Ill.) Saturday, 2 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
East St. Louis: QB
Reece Shanklin (6-1, 185), RB
Myson Johnson-Cook (6-3, 220), WR
Armaad Sharp (6-2, 225), DE
Jahadi White (6-8, 260), DB
Dakarai Weaver (6-0, 180)
Glenwood: QB
Colten Knoedler (6-2, 190), RB
Grady Mueller (6-0, 195), WR
Blake Lehnen (5-9, 165), LB
Tate McCue, S
Dylan Huff (6-3, 175)
East St. Louis continues its quest to get back to the state championship game for the sixth consecutive season. The Flyers have three losses this season, but each was against a team in the MaxPreps Top 25. Next up is Glenwood, the top seed in the region. The Titans have a perfect 10-0 record and average 43 points per game. These teams met in the 2024 postseason and the Flyers won 58-14 to advance to the state semifinals.
Central (Phenix City, Ala.) vs. Hoover (Ala.)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Central: QB
Bobby Coleman (6-1, 180), RB
Jayshaun Woodhouse (5-8, 175), WR
Braylen Averett (5-9, 165), DE
Tristan Lyles (6-1, 238), LB
Brennan Core (6-0, 210)
Hoover: QB
Kaleb Freeman (6-2, 190), RB
J.R. Mosley (5-9, 205), WR
Jeremiah Tabb (6-2, 200), LB
Jovon Pulliam (6-2, 225), LB
Jarrett Goldsby (6-1, 200)
The 7A playoffs begin in Alabama with a pair of battle-tested teams. Central is ranked No. 1 in the state and unbeaten against in-state foes. The only loss came to national No. 3 IMG Academy. Hoover also played IMG and lost 34-13 in August. After starting 1-3, the Buccaneers have won five of their last six games including a 33-30 win over Thompson, the No. 2 team in Alabama.
North Shore (Houston, Texas) vs. Summer Creek (Houston, Texas) Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
North Shore: QB
Kaleb Maryland (6-0, 194), RB
Hezekiah Johnson (5-11, 180), WR
Jaylen Bocard (6-1, 170), DL
Zaqwaun Nunn (6-1, 285), DT
Xavier Waters (6-2, 310)
Summer Creek: QB
Noah Spinks (6-1, 190), RB
Braylin Causey (6-0, 200), WR
Benny Easter Jr. (6-3, 193), DL
Brinley Tita (6-2, 230), DE
P.J. Cormier (6-3, 195)
These 8-1 rivals are battling for state playoff seeding when they meet this week. Both of these high-flying teams average over 50 points per game and limit opponents to under 20. North Shore is ranked No. 57 in our expanded top 100 and have won the past eight games in this Houston battle. The teams have six common opponents this season including King (Houston). North Shore won 42-27 while Summer Creek fell 42-28.
Mill Valley (Shawnee, Kan.) at Saint Thomas Aquinas (Overland Park, Kan.) Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Mill Valley: QB
Blake Jay (6-0, 175), RB
Max Piva (6-1, 212), OL
Nick Philhour Jr. (6-3, 282), OL
Lamarcus Barber (6-3, 311), LB
Jaxon Garcia (5-11, 198), DE
Larry Jones (6-2, 218)
Saint Thomas Aquinas: RB
Colton McGlinn (5-10, 180), WR
Luke Hardgree (5-11, 185), OL
Maxwell Manske (6-3, 260), LB
Terrence Bryant (6-0, 180), S
Gunnar Greeson (5-10, 170)
Two of the top three teams in Kansas will battle for a trip to the third round of the 5A playoffs. Saint Thomas Aquinas is ranked No. 2 and the defending 5A state champs. Aside from a 36-35 loss to a top 10 team in Missouri, the Saints have won every game they have played by at least 21 points. Mill Valley is the third-ranked team in Kansas and averages 377 rushing yards per game. In five October games the Jaguars scored 239 points.
Vestavia Hills (Ala.) at Auburn (Ala.) Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Vestavia Hills: QB
Charlie Taaffe (5-11, 185), RB
Carson Purdy (6-0, 185), TE
Grayson Harper (6-0, 205), DT
Haines Bridges (6-0, 220), DE
Paxton Ussery (6-5, 230)
Auburn: QB
Cason Myers (6-3, 205), WR
Joshua Askew (5-9, 150), DE
Aiden Parker (6-3, 217), DL
Elijah Scott (6-2, 220), LB
Greg Williams (6-0, 210)
The first round of the 7A playoffs begins with a rematch between these top five Alabama schools. Vestavia Hills won the August matchup 42-14 after jumping out to a 21-0 first quarter lead. Auburn has been on a roll since by winning seven of its next eight. Vestavia Hills has a signature win over Hoover with each of its losses coming to top Alabama teams in Hewitt-Trussville and Thompson.
Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) vs. Davis (Kaysville, Utah) Friday, 4 p.m.
Top players
Lone Peak: QB
Kepa Niumeitolu (6-1, 215), WR
Kennan Pula (6-3, 200), WR
Jaron Pula (6-3, 195), LB
Tevita Mounga (6-2, 210), LB
Anthon Grimmer (5-11, 201)
Davis: QB
Tradon Bessinger (6-5, 210), RB
Makaio Byrd (5-7, 165), WR/DB
Bode Sparrow (6-3, 190), LB
Ethan Lockwood (6-1, 215), LB
Bridger Young (6-1, 217)
This second-round playoff matchup features two teams ranked in the state top five. Davis is No. 3 and coming off a 42-21 win over Bingham. The Darts' passing attack is lethal as Bessinger has thrown for 3,986 yards and 50 touchdowns against three interceptions. Lone Peak is ranked No. 4 in the state and have a signature win over Corner Canyon in September. The winner of this game could meet the Chargers in the 6A final.
Friday, 7 p.m.
Top players
Bryant: QB
Jeremiah Motes (6-2, 200), RB
Terry Hodges (6-0, 180), WR
Kamauri Austin (6-4, 205), LB
Jakore Smith (6-1, 190), EDGE
Mathew Nelson (6-5, 225)
Conway: QB
Wesley Tapp (6-5, 220), RB
Trey Harris (5-9, 190), TE
Dawson McFadin (6-5, 225), OL
Isaiah Bowman (6-3, 290), S
Tay Lockett (6-0, 185)
The Class 7A Central title is on the line between two teams ranked in the state top five. Bryant is No. 1 and has won 22 straight games. With the exception of 2023, the Hornets have won every 7A state championship since 2018. Conway is ranked No. 5 with the lone loss coming to Bentonville, the No. 2 team in Arkansas.
