By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
The traditional "Big Three" of high school football states – Texas, Florida and California – all work their way towards state finals, and from here on out every game is nationally significant. Louisiana, Arizona and Pennsylvania will each play their final games this week, and there is no shortage of great match-ups in those two states.
The prediction records after 14 weeks find MaxPreps Projections in first place at 108-32, followed by Mitch Stephens at 107-33. Jason Hickman is next at 105-35, followed by Steve Spiewak at 103-37 and Kevin Askeland at 97-43. Last week Hickman and Spiewak came in at 8-2, followed by 6-4 records for the other three writers. Hickman, it should be noted, predicted that South Panola's nation-leading win streak would come to an end with a 21-20 loss to Meridian, which actually won 26-20.
Here’s a look at this week’s top 10 games;
St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) vs. Largo (Fla.)
George Smith’s Raiders are on the verge of a 5A state championship and possibly a mythical national title. But the long time St. Thomas Aquinas coach remains focused on the task at hand, ignoring any premature talk about state crowns and national rankings. Ryan Becker, Duron Carter, Dwayne Difton, and the rest of the Raiders have pulverized everyone in their path this season. Upsets have been in the air lately; can Largo and running back Marcel Durham pull off a major shocker?
Mitch Stephens: Aquinas 28, Largo 20
Jason Hickman: Aquinas 42, Largo 13
Steve Spiewak: Aquinas 42, Largo 10
Kevin Askeland: Aquinas 35, Largo 20
MaxPreps Projection: Aquinas 35, Largo 17
Long Beach Poly (Calif.) vs. Tesoro (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.)
The fact that Tesoro beat Orange Lutheran is not as shocking as the ease with which the Titans dismantled the Lancers. Orange Lutheran’s first two losses came by a combined 14 points to quality opponents Bishop Amat and Servite. Tesoro’s offense unleashed 42 points on the Titans, leading to a 42-14 win. Robbie Picazo (2,634 yards passing, 32 touchdowns) and Preston King (1,174 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns) will face their stiffest test yet: a Long Beach Poly defense that has not allowed more than two touchdowns in any game this year.
See game coverage from senior writer/columnist Mitch Stephens Saturday night/Sunday morning.
Mitch Stephens: Long Beach Poly 10, Tesoro 7
Jason Hickman: Tesoro 28, Long Beach Poly 14
Steve Spiewak: Tesoro 24, Long Beach Poly 17
Kevin Askeland: Long Beach Poly 17, Tesoro 14
MaxPreps Projection: Tesoro 21, Long Beach Poly 20
Destrehan (La.) vs. West Monroe (La.)
Destrehan, last year’s 5A state champion in Louisiana, meets West Monroe, winner of the 2005 title, in a battle of unbeaten powerhouses.
See Dave Moormann’s full coverage of the game here.
Mitch Stephens: West Monroe 21, Destrehan 20
Jason Hickman: Destrehan 30, West Monroe 19
Steve Spiewak: Destrehan 35, West Monroe 24
Kevin Askeland: Destrehan 28, West Monroe 24
MaxPreps Projection: Destrehan 27, West Monroe 20
De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) vs. Pittsburg (Calif.)
De La Salle has been on a roll since its heartbreaking loss to New Jersey’s Don Bosco Prep in September. As the Spartans make a push for a state bowl game bid, a talented Pittsburg team stands as a serious obstacle. Quarterback Joe Lewis has thrown for 23 touchdowns and nearly 1,900 yards. Linebacker Emeka Williams has been all over the field, registering 113 tackles for the Pirates.
See game coverage from senior writer/columnist Mitch Stephens Friday night/Saturday morning.
Mitch Stephens: De La Salle 22, Pittsburg 21
Jason Hickman: Pittsburg 18, De La Salle 14
Steve Spiewak: De La Salle 28, Pittsburg 21
Kevin Askeland: De La Salle 35, Pittsburg 20
MaxPreps Projection: De La Salle 34, Pittsburg 21
Allen (Texas) vs. Stony Point (Round Rock, Texas)
After avenging its only loss of the season by beating Euless Trinity last week, Allen is now the clear favorite in the Texas 5A-I bracket. The Eagles were nearly flawless in the win; they did not turn the ball over once, and punted for the first time with three minutes left in the game. Don’t expect Stony Point to roll down and let Allen walk into the state finals. The Tigers are 13-1 for a reason, mainly Nykolas McKissic’s arm and Glasco Martin’s legs. The two have combined for 41 touchdowns.
Mitch Stephens: Allen 21, Stony Point 17
Jason Hickman: Allen 31, Stony Point 21
Steve Spiewak: Allen 28, Stony Point 24
Kevin Askeland: Allen 35, Stony Point 14
MaxPreps Projection: Allen 24, Stony Point 22
Brophy Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) vs. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.)
Scooter Molander’s Brophy squad has rebounded nicely after a 2-3 start. The Broncos have won nine games in a row, which perhaps should not come as a surprise from a program that has captured two state titles in the last three years. Hamilton, however, won the teams’ regular season showdown 10-0, and has a winning streak that now stands at ten games. The two teams will meet again with a championship on the line.
Mitch Stephens: Hamilton 14, Brophy Prep 13
Jason Hickman: Hamilton 36, Brophy Prep 21
Steve Spiewak: Brophy 17, Hamilton 14
Kevin Askeland: Brophy Prep 28, Hamilton 17
MaxPreps Projection: Hamilton 21, Brophy Prep 13
Liberty (Bethlehem, Pa.) vs. Bethel Park (Pa.)
Neither Bethel Park nor Liberty was scripted for this game. Bethel Park upset title favorite Gateway early in the playoffs, and Liberty avenged a season opening loss to North Penn by winning 21-14 last week. The two somewhat unlikely state title contenders will clash Saturday night at Hershey Park.
Mitch Stephens: Liberty 28, Bethel Park 21
Jason Hickman: Liberty 14, Bethel Park 10
Steve Spiewak: Bethel Park 21, Libery 14
Kevin Askeland: Liberty 36, Bethel Park 14
MaxPreps Projection: Liberty 28, Bethel Park 17
Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) vs. Friendswood (Texas)
Newly minted Gatorade National Player of the Year Garrett Gilbert leads Lake Travis to do battle against Friendswood in a game that will be played at Kyle Field. The University of Texas bound senior has had a remarkable season, throwing for 48 touchdowns and rushing for another 18. Friendswood quarterback Jacob Karam has had a monster year of his own, dialing up 3,058 passing yards and 37 touchdowns.
Mitch Stephens: Lake Travis 42, Friendswood 28
Jason Hickman: Lake Travis 56, Friendswood 38
Steve Spiewak: Lake Travis 35, Friendswood 28
Kevin Askeland: Lake Travis 55, Friendswood 14
MaxPreps Projection: Lake Travis 46, Friendswood 21
Lakeland (Fla.) vs. Pine Forest (Pensacola, Fla.)
Undefeated Pine Forest will challenge traditional Sunshine State power Lakeland in huge 5A playoff game in Florida. Lakeland hopes to advance with the possibly of once again tangling with familiar postseason foe St. Thomas Aquinas. The Dreadnaughts have a balanced offensive attack with athletes at all positions. Last week, the team enjoyed a 20-point victory over Chamberlain, and appears ready to test Pine Forest.
Mitch Stephens: Lakeland 24, Pine Forest 20
Jason Hickman: Lakeland 17, Pine Forest 12
Steve Spiewak: Lakeland 30, Fine Forest 17
Kevin Askeland: Lakeland 21, Pine Forest 20
MaxPreps Projection: Pine Forest 24, Lakeland 20
Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.) vs. John Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Evangel Christian and John Curtis are both small, private schools in Louisiana that produce regionally and nationally recognized programs on a consistent basis. It comes as no surprise that the two will be meeting in the Louisiana 2A state finals. Each team has only one loss on the season, both coming at the hands of a Texas power. John Curtis lost a labor day weekend match up with Euless Trinity, while Evangel Christian fell early in the season to Longview.
Mitch Stephens: Curtis 21, Evangel Christian 20
Jason Hickman: Evangel Christian 28, Curtis 27
Steve Spiewak: Curtis 28, Evanel Christian 27
Kevin Askeland: Evangel Christian 35, John Curtis 33
MaxPreps Projection: Curtis 31, Evangel Christian 22
