American Heritage comes in battle tested with a win over
St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.) and a loss to
Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.), each of which came down to the wire.
Quarterback
Dia Bell will have his hands full against a tough Edna Karr (1-0) defense that shutout
Archbishop Shaw (Marrero) last week in a 35-0 win. That unit is led by defensive lineman
Richard Anderson, a four-star LSU commit.
Future Texas Longhorn Dia Bell has accounted for nearly 6,200 yards and 66 touchdowns during his career at American Heritage. (PHOTO: Jeff Klein)
No. 1
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) heads to No. 21
Centennial (Corona, Calif.) after narrowly defeating
Kahuku (Hawaii) 21-18 last week. Kahuku had chances to tie the game but the Monarchs defense held firm and won the game.
Centennial (2-1) suffered its only setback against nationally-ranked
Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in overtime. The offense led by quarterback
Dominick Catalano is averaging 37 points per game.
No. 3
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) hosts
East St. Louis (Ill.) in a matchup between the top teams in Nevada and Illinois. Gorman has run through its three opponents and has only allowed 14 points this season.
East St. Louis (0-1) lost to nationally-ranked
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) in its opener. The Flyers led 21-14 with under two minutes left in the game before falling 22-21. Five-star running back
Myson Johnson-Cook averaged 6.7 yards per carry against a stout Bergen defense.
Read on for a complete look at this week's biggest games.
Top 10 biggest games this week
No. 23 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) at No. 12 Edna Karr (New Orleans, La.) Friday, 8:30 p.m. (All times local)
Top players
American Heritage: QB
Dia Bell (6-3, 210), WR
Jamar Denson (5-10, 185), WR
Jeffar Jean-Noel (5-11, 180), LB
Dylan Bennett (5-11, 225), DE
Rodarion Tellez (6-3, 225)
Edna Karr: RB
Tre Garrison (5-11, 190), QB
John Johnson (6-0, 180), DB
Moe Williams (5-11, 172), S
Aiden Hall (6-2, 195), DL
Richard Anderson (6-3, 340)
Caesars Superdome in New Orleans will host this matchup between one of the top teams in Florida and the No. 1 team in Louisiana. American Heritage is coming off a close loss to nationally-ranked Chaminade-Madonna 28-24. Five-star quarterback Bell has thrown for 540 yards and four touchdowns in two games and top target Denson has 334 yards and two scores. Edna Karr has one of the best defensive backfields in the nation with LSU commit Hall, Colorado pledge Williams and future Texas Longhorn
Hayward Howard Jr.
No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at No. 21 Centennial (Corona, Calif.)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Mater Dei: RB
Malachi Roby (5-11, 200), WR
Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (6-2, 185), DB
C.J. Lavender Jr. (5-11, 175), DB
Ace Leutele (6-1, 190), OL
Lex Mailangi (6-3, 340)
Centennial: QB
Dominick Catalano (5-10, 185), RB
Malaki Davis (6-0, 205), WR
Ty Plinski (6-3, 190), DB
Jaden Walk-Green (6-0, 190), LB
Jonathan McKinley II (6-2, 230)
Mater Dei has won seven straight games against Southern Section foe Centennial, including a win in the 2024 postseason. Centennial's passing attack is led by senior quarterback Catalano, who has eight passing touchdowns with an average of 250 yards per game.
East St. Louis (Ill.) at No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
East St. Louis: QB
Reece Shanklin (6-1, 185), RB
Myson Johnson-Cook (6-3, 210), WR
Armaad Sharp (6-2, 217), DL
Gregory Bell (6-1, 290), S
Jabarri Lofton (6-3, 200), S
Ronnie Gomiller (5-11, 178)
Bishop Gorman: QB
Maika Eugenio (6-0, 210), WR
Zyren Menor (6-0, 180), WR
Kaina Watson (6-2, 180), LB
Jordan Lutu (5-11, 215), LB
Tamatoa Gaoteote (6-0, 215)
Bishop Gorman has its toughest test so far this season against the No. 1 team in Illinois. Senior Eugenio leads the Gaels with 11 passing touchdowns, including four in a 35-14 win over Lone Peak last week. The Bishop Gorman defense has been racing to the quarterback this season with 20 sacks.
No. 25 Carrollton (Ga.) at Gainesville (Ga.) Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Watch live and free on MaxPreps | YouTube
Top players
Carrollton: QB
C.J. Cypher (6-2, 188), WR
Ryan Mosley (6-4, 206), RB
Cameron Wood (5-9, 200), CB
Dorian Barney (6-1, 180), CB
Tyler Boyd (5-11, 190)
Gainesville: LB
Xavier Griffin (6-4, 215), EDGE
Jamarion Matthews (6-3, 255), DL
Ayden Cain (6-2, 275), QB
Kharim Hughley (6-0, 195), OT
Tyler Ford (6-5, 325)
This matchup is filled with SEC commits including five-star Griffin and four-star Matthews who are both going to Alabama from the Gainesville defense. This will be the toughest test yet for Carrollton quarterback Cypher, who has completed 72 percent of his passes as a freshman. Carrollton has some top defenders of its own including four-star Michigan commit Barney and Georgia Tech pledge
C.J. Gamble.
No. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Md.) at St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia, Pa.)Saturday, 7 p.m.
Top players
St. Frances Academy: DB
Jireh Edwards (6-2, 210), DE
Zion Elee (6-4, 235), QB
Jae'Oyn Williams (5-10, 190), CB
Amauri Polydor (6-1, 170), DB
Raylaun Henry (6-2, 175)
St. Joseph's Prep: QB
Charlie Foulke (6-2, 192), WR
Jett Harrison (6-2, 178), DL
Alex Haskell (6-4, 265), C
Jake Namnun (6-2, 275), RB
Khyan Billups (5-8, 180)
The difficult national schedule continues for both teams. St. Frances Academy is coming off a close loss to No. 2 St. John Bosco and is led by talented five-star defenders Elee and Edwards. St. Joseph's Prep is 0-2 with both losses coming to national opponents, including a heartbreaking 31-28 defeat at American Heritage to open the season.
Westlake (Austin, Texas) at Atascocita (Humble, Texas)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Westlake: QB
Rees Wise (6-2, 218), RB
Sebastian Henault (5-10, 190), OL
William Twardowski (6-3, 285), DE
Austin Knape (6-3, 220), S
Thompson Bennett (6-2, 195)
Atascocita: QB
Cardae Mack (5-10, 210), CB
Trenton Blaylock (6-1, 170), WR
Brian Manuel (6-0, 165), WR
C.J. Toney (5-9, 185), DB
Tavon Bolden (6-2, 190)
This Lone Star State matchup is a battle between two teams in our expanded top 100 with Westlake at No. 65 and Atascocita No. 38. The Chaparrals rebounded from a 29-22 loss to Prosper by taking down San Benito 66-0 last week. The offense is pounding out 241 rushing yards per game with senior Henault finding the endzone three times. Atascocita returns three-star Arizona State commit Mack. Last year these teams met in Austin and Mack passed for 267 yards and rushed for 127 more with five total touchdowns in a 66-39 victory.
No. 9 Mission Viejo (Calif.) at Lincoln (San Diego, Calif.) Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Mission Viejo: QB
Luke Fahey (6-2, 205), DL
J.D. Hill (6-3, 271), WR
Jack Junker (5-10, 182), WR
K.J. Woodbury Jr. (6-1, 170), DB
Jeron Jones (6-1, 175)
Lincoln: QB
Jordan Roa (5-11, 175), RB
Rashad Robinson (5-8, 195), WR
Courtney Miller-Thompson (5-11, 171), LB
Seth Fanua (6-1, 205), DE
Prince Tavizon (6-4, 242)
Mission Viejo will make the trip down Interstate 5 to San Diego in a matchup of 3-0 teams. Lincoln junior quarterback Roa has an incredible 82 percent completion mark in his first year as the starter. Senior running back Robinson has averaged 11 yards per carry on the ground, dominating just like his brother Roderick Robinson did before going to Georgia in 2023. Mission Viejo added a 53-14 win over Folsom to an impressive resume that includes a win over nationally-ranked Santa Margarita. Ohio State commit Fahey has 10 touchdowns without an interception.
Douglas County (Douglasville, Ga.) at No. 8 Buford (Ga.) Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Top players
Douglas County: QB
Mike Johnson (6-1, 180), RB
Rah'keith Kelly (5-9, 175), WR
Aaron Gregory (6-3, 175), LB
Richard Dyce (6-0, 215), DB
Kennedy Green (6-2, 195)
Buford: QB
Dayton Raiola (6-1, 205), RB
Tyriq Green (6-0, 195), WR
Torre Costin (5-10, 170), DB
Silas Nuckles (5-11, 175), DL
Bryce Perry-Wright (6-3, 250)
Buford hosts Douglas County in a matchup of top 10 teams in Georgia. The Wolves are averaging over 40 points per game. Senior quarterback Raiola has been a tactical passer this year with a 65 percent passing mark to go with 511 yards and seven touchdowns. The defense has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks, forcing seven interceptions. Douglas County is coming off a loss to Langston Hughes. The Tigers offense is balanced and the rushing attack averages 199 yards per contest with senior
Zamarcus Lindley pacing the squad.
Skyridge (Lehi, Utah) at Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.)Friday, 7 p.m. - Watch live NFHS Network
Top players
Skyridge: QB
Kaneal Sweetwyne (6-4, 215), RB
Lincoln Tahi (5-10, 205), WR
Talmage Oswald (5-10, 165), WR
Hunter Sheffield (6-0, 170), LB
Griffin Kunz (6-0, 206)
Cherry Creek: QB
Brady Vodicka (6-2, 215), RB
Jayden Fox (5-11, 178), WR
Alijah Landrum-Hamilton (5-10, 170), LB
Tate Matthews (6-1, 205), TE
Ty Goettsche (6-7, 225)
Each team heads into this one undefeated and ranked in the expanded top 100. Skyridge is 4-0 with three of the wins being by 35 points or more. Three-star senior quarterback Sweetwyne leads an offense that has already scored 32 touchdowns. Four of his wide receivers already have three receiving touchdowns. Cherry Creek has veterans on offense in quarterback Vodicka (Louisiana Tech) while targets
Maxwell Lovett, Landrum-Hamilton and Goettsche all have an abundance of Division I offers.
No. 15 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) at Winslow Township (Atco, N.J.)Friday, 6 p.m. PT
Top players
Bergen Catholic: DL
Jackson Vaughn (6-4, 225), QB
Trey Tagliaferri (6-1, 180), RB
Najee Calhoun (5-11, 195), WR
Austin Busso (6-0, 180), DB
Jordan Thomas (6-1, 185)
Winslow Township: QB
Jalen Parker (5-10, 190), RB
Nakeem Powell (5-11, 175), WR
Nyqir Helton (6-0, 175), WR
T.J. Maddox (6-1, 190), LB
Robert Carstarphen (5-11, 245)
Bergen Catholic has muscled out a pair of out-of-state victories over teams in our expanded top 100 thanks in large part to defensive lineman Vaughn. The five-star sophomore has 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Crusaders. Fellow sophomore Tagliaferri leads the offense at quarterback and has four touchdowns without an interception in his first year as the starter. Winslow Township is ranked No. 4 in New Jersey. The lone loss was against national No. 6 IMG Academy and the score was 21-14 at halftime before the Ascenders won 35-14.
