Updated: MaxPreps Top 10 football games of the week

D.C.-area power Good Counsel will have its hands full in Cincinnati facing St. Xavier, while Lake Travis puts its 46-game winning streak on the line in Texas.

By
Aug 29, 2010, 5:16pm
The football season gets turned up another notch with contests scheduled in all but a few states this weekend. The Top 10 slate of games is filled with interesting matchups including five nationally televised games that America can enjoy from the comfort of the couch.

Seven of the games involve teams listed in MaxPreps' early Top 25 rankings, including an interstate showdown between No. 12 Glenville (Cleveland) and No. 16 Warren Central (Indianapolis).

Last week's prediction results for the five humans on the Top 10 panel ranged from good to only so-so. Steve Montoya fared the best with a 7-3 record. Stephen Spiewak and Jamie DeMoney each went 6-4. Mitch Stephens and Kevin Askeland broke even at 5-5. Poised to successfully defend its Top 10 prediction championship from the last two years, the MaxPreps Projections, compiled by Ned Freeman, led the way with an 8-2 mark.

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

Grant (Sacramento, Calif.) at Folsom (Folsom, Calif.) FINAL Grant 49-14
Grant High's Villiami Moala.
Grant High's Villiami Moala.
Photo by Tom Lemming
If it can survive this nationally televised season-opener on Folsom's home field, it could be smooth sailing all the way to the playoffs for Grant. The Pacers, who went unbeaten and won California's Open Division title in 2008, are returning 15 starters, including nine from a defense that did not allow a point until the sixth game last season. Nose tackle Villiami "Tiny" Moala is the anchor of an extremely tough defensive front. On offense, junior running back Shaq Thompson will be counted on to replace Devonte Butler, who totaled more than 5,000 rushing yards and 85 touchdowns the last two seasons.

As tough as Grant will be on defense, the Bulldogs may equal that in terms of explosiveness on offense. Eight starters are back from a unit that averaged 47 points per game. Human highlight film Tyler Trosin caught 81 passes for 1,446 yards and 25 touchdowns from quarterback Dano Graves, who completed 75 percent of his throws for more than 3,800 total yards. The Bulldogs also have nine starters back to form the core of a defense that should be greatly improved from last season.

Mitch Stephens: Folsom 35, Grant 34
Steve Montoya: Grant 26, Folsom 7
Stephen Spiewak: Grant 21, Folsom 20
Kevin Askeland: Grant 48, Folsom 42
Jamie DeMoney: Grant 41, Folsom 38
MaxPreps Projection: Folsom 35, Grant 28

St. Louis (Honolulu, Hawaii) at Kahuku (Kahuku, Hawaii) FINAL-Kahuku 49-27
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association began holding a state championship tournament for football in 1999, and one of these two schools took home the Division I trophy seven of the first eight times it was presented. Not since 2006 has either club been champion again, but that figures to change this season. St. Louis enters the game ranked No. 2 in the state by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The Crusaders are led by quarterback Marcus Mariota, an Oregon recruit, and Tennessee-bound defensive end Juda Parker. Mariota threw four touchdown passes in a 42-3 blowout of Wai'anae (Hawaii) last week.

Kahuku, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, has built a tradition of teams that run the ball effectively on offense and are able to stop the run on defense. This year's team should be no different. The Red Raiders have a big and athletic offensive line anchored by Jamal Napeahi. On defense, the top players are linebacker Ben Mamea and 6-foot-3, 215-pound safety Tigi Hill.

Mitch Stephens: Kahuku 28, St. Louis 24
Steve Montoya: Kahuku 24, St. Louis 17
Stephen Spiewak: St. Louis 35, Kahuku 28
Kevin Askeland: St. Louis 30, Kahuku 14
Jamie DeMoney: Kahuku 27, St. Louis 24
MaxPreps Projection: St. Louis 28, Kahuku 24

Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) at Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.) FINAL-Glenville 28-21
Always loaded with college talent, Glenville continues to inch closer to its first state title. The Tarblooders reached the Division I championship game for the first time last season, but lost by a point to Hilliard Davidson (Hilliard, Ohio). Ten starters are back from that team including Cardale Jones at quarterback and MaxPreps Top 100 recruit Aundrey Walker at offensive tackle. An amazing total of 47 Tarblooders signed with FBS colleges over the last six seasons, and there are at least six Division I-level prospects in this year's senior class.

This is a rematch of a 2007 game that saw Glenville win a thriller on Warren Central's home field, 38-36. That Warren Central team went 8-4 and probably wasn't as strong as the 2010 edition will be. The defending 5A champion Warriors (1-0) have 10 returning starters with four already committed to schools in BCS conferences. Warren Central clobbered Merrillville (Ind.) in its opener, 49-14, rolling up more than 500 yards of total offense and looking like Warrior teams from 2003-06 that won four consecutive state titles.

Mitch Stephens: Warren Central 28, Glenville 27
Steve Montoya: Warren Central 28, Glenville 21
Stephen Spiewak: Glenville 21, Warren Central 17
Kevin Askeland: Glenville 30, Warren Central 21
Jamie DeMoney: Glenville 27, Warren Central 23
MaxPreps Projection: Glenville 33, Warren Central 31
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Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) FINAL 21-6 Good Counsel
Can Good Counsel fare better than its Washington Catholic Athletic Conference rival DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) did when it opened the season against the Bombers at Nippert in 2007? St. Xavier dismantled that DeMatha team, which had nine seniors who signed with FBS and FCS colleges. On paper, Good Counsel has the offensive firepower to play with anyone in the country. There are 10 returning offensive starters including quarterback Zach Dancel and junior superstar-in-the-making running back Wes Brown. On defense, the Falcons are less seasoned but have plenty of talent with the likes of Virginia-bound lineman Vincent Croce.

St. Xavier has the ingredients to be an even better defensive unit than one that allowed only 10.5 points per game last season. Coach Steve Specht, who is 65-12 in six seasons, is particularly impressed with what he's seen from his front seven, which includes standout linebackers Steven Daniels and Sean Duggan. The Bombers' offense will be breaking in a new quarterback but should run the ball effectively with All-Greater Catholic League running back Conor Hundley returning.

Mitch Stephens: St. Xavier 21, Good Counsel 17
Steve Montoya: St. Xavier 24, Good Counsel 17
Stephen Spiewak: St. Xavier 17, Good Counsel 14
Kevin Askeland: St. Xavier 24, Good Counsel 21
Jamie DeMoney: Good Counsel 17, St. Xavier 16
MaxPreps Projection: Good Counsel 20, St. Xavier 17

Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) vs. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, Ohio) FINAL Moeller 35-28
This nationally televised matchup features one of the nation's top-rated quarterbacks colliding with what should be one of Ohio's top defenses. Wayne is led by Braxton Miller, a four-year starter who is committed Ohio State and is ranked the No. 8 recruit in America by MaxPreps. He is one of nine returning starters on an offense that should improve greatly upon last year's average of 23 points per game. Defensively, the Warriors have six returning starters but must replace three players who signed with Big Ten universities.

Moeller's big, strong defense features four seniors and three juniors who could end up playing at the Division I level. Senior Jesse Hayes, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound end, will choose between scholarship offers from Florida State, Nebraska, Oregon, Cincinnati, and Tennessee. However, the Crusaders have some real question marks on offense that will need answered in a hurry, not the least of which is finding a replacement for quarterback Andrew Hendrix (now at Notre Dame).

Mitch Stephens: Wayne 28, Moeller 21
Steve Montoya: Wayne 31, Moeller 21
Stephen Spiewak: Moeller 24, Wayne 17
Kevin Askeland: Wayne 21, Moeller 16
Jamie DeMoney: Wayne 26, Moeller 20
MaxPreps Projection: Wayne 28, Moeller 24

Hoover (Hoover, Ala.) vs. Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.) at Rock Hill, S.C. FINAL-Hoover 14-0
The first of two nationally televised games from District Three Stadium in Rock Hill, S.C., Saturday afternoon features a pair of the nation's most consistent winning programs from the 2000s. Hoover, which won seven Class 6A crowns and reached the championship game nine times last decade, has 10 starters back including quarterback Ryan Carter. As a junior, Carter threw for 3,188 yard and 34 touchdowns. His top target this year figures to Auburn recruit Jaylon Denson. On defense, the Bucs should also be strong up front where bookends Tyler Roberts and Michael Nysewander return after combining for nine sacks last year.

After starting last year ranked No. 1 in some national polls, Byrnes might actually be able to sneak up on some opponents this season. Only seven starters are back from a team that went 13-2 but fell short of winning the Rebels' sixth state title in nine seasons. Offensively, Byrnes will have a hard time coming close to last year's average of 51 points per game. Quarterback Chas Dodd (Rutgers) and running back Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina) were among seven players off that team who signed with FBS colleges. Senior Zach Blair and junior Kolton Korn battled in the preseason to win the starting quarterback position. Whoever gets the nod will enjoy a reliable target in 6-foot-4 tight end Craig Weick.

Mitch Stephens: Byrnes 21, Hoover 20
Steve Montoya: Hoover 35, Byrnes 20
Stephen Spiewak: Hoover 28, Byrnes 10
Kevin Askeland: Hoover 16, Byrnes 14
Jamie DeMoney: Hoover 31, Byrnes 17
MaxPreps Projection: Hoover 42, Byrnes 21

South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.) at Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) FINAL Northwestern-42-20
This nationally televised local grudge match is sort of a rubber game from last season when the teams split a pair of contests. South Pointe rolled past the Trojans 30-7 in early October but were beaten 24-6 in the rematch that mattered most — in the state semifinals. The Stallions defense has six returning starters led by MaxPreps’ No. 2-ranked prospect Jadeveon Clowney, a highly athletic and disruptive end. He and his teammates looked as dominant as advertised in last week's 51-6 blowout of AFC Rangers (Charlotte, N.C.).

Northwestern is expected to challenge for a 4A title again this season. There are 13 starters back from a squad that lost five of its first six then rallied to reach the 4A/II final and finish 9-6. Tennessee-bound quarterback Justin Worley and receiver Robert Joseph hooked up through the air 150 times for 1,834 yards and 20 touchdowns last season. The defense has six returning starters, led by talented interior players Gerald Dixon and Roderick Byers.

Mitch Stephens: Northwestern 24, South Pointe 21
Steve Montoya: Northwestern 17, South Pointe 10
Stephen Spiewak: Northwestern 28, South Pointe 21
Kevin Askeland: Northwestern 35, South Pointe 28
Jamie DeMoney: South Pointe 24, Northwestern 21
MaxPreps Projection: Northwestern 28, South Pointe 14

Alcoa (Alcoa, Tenn.) at Maryville (Maryville, Tenn.) FINAL-Alcoa 35-31
When it comes to great high school rivalries in the Volunteer State, it just doesn't get any better than this one. These two rivals, separated by less than 10 miles, have been playing each other since the late 1920s. But it's not only longevity, but also excellence, that makes this a tremendous rivalry. Alcoa has won six consecutive state championships in 2A and 3A and a total of seven since 2000. The Tornadoes kicked off the season last week with a 64-0 rout of a clearly outmatched Middlesboro (Ky.) team. The 'mercy' running clock rule was invoked early in the second quarter with Alcoa already owning a commanding 42-0 lead.

While Alcoa has lost only six games since the start of the 2004 season, five of those were to Maryville. During that stretch, the Rebels won 74 consecutive games and four consecutive state championships. Last year, they went 13-2 and reached the state finals for the sixth consecutive time. This will be the first outing of the season for Maryville, which returns six starters on both sides of the ball.

Mitch Stephens: Alcoa 42, Maryville 34
Steve Montoya: Alcoa 38, Maryville 31
Stephen Spiewak: Alcoa 21, Maryville 20
Kevin Askeland: Alcoa 42, Maryville 28
Jamie DeMoney: Maryville 34, Alcoa 28
MaxPreps Projection: Alcoa 27, Maryville 26

Westlake (Austin, Texas) vs. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) FINAL Lake Travis-32-21
The most intriguing matchup of Week Zero in the Lone Star State will be played just down the road from its state capitol building in Austin. Westlake, traditionally one of Texas' top 5A programs, will be taking on currently the top 4A team in the state in Lake Travis. The Chaparrals experienced a resurgence last season, going 13-3 with a trip to the 5A/I championship game. It was their fifth state final appearance in 14 years but first since 2006. Quarterback Tanner Price (Wake Forest) and three other FBS signees graduated, but still 12 starters return. The strength of the team should be the offensive skill positions, where all-district honorees Colin Shaw (receiver) and Van Gramann (running back) lead the way. Westlake is the last team to defeat Lake Travis, winning 28-21 in week two of the 2007 season.

Six Lake Travis offensive starters are back from an explosive team that averaged 48 points per game. They include quarterback Michael Brewer, a Texas Tech recruit who finished fifth nationally last season with 4,450 passing yards. His top receiving targets are Tulsa commit Conner Floyd and junior tight end Griffin Gilbert. Up front, the leader is offensive tackle Taylor Doyle, a future Texas Longhorn. It's not often that a team on a 46-game winning streak with three consecutive state titles feels the need to win a statement game, but that's probably the case for Cavaliers. Winning all those 4A championships is an amazing feat, but still draws skepticism from some in a state where 5A football remains king. Those detractors should remember Lake Travis' first three wins last season came against 5A teams, including a 42-21 defeat of Westlake.

Mitch Stephens: Westlake 28, Lake Travis 27
Steve Montoya: Lake Travis 42, Westlake 28
Stephen Spiewak: Lake Travis 35, Westlake 32
Kevin Askeland: Lake Travis 48, Westlake 35
Jamie DeMoney: Lake Travis 42, Westlake 24
MaxPreps Projection: Lake Travis 42, Westlake 17

Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) vs. Alta (Sandy, Utah) at Rice-Eccles Stadium FINAL49-26
Bingham, a Top 10 team in the MaxPreps early Top 25 rankings, certainly looked the part in its 51-0 season-opening win against Viewmont. The Miners' defense, featuring six players committed to FBS colleges, smothered the Vikings offense, holding it to 39 total yards. On offense, MaxPreps Top 100 recruit Harvey Langi had only eight carries but still popped for 63 yards and a touchdown. A crowd in the neighborhood of 30,000 is expected at the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium to watch this showdown between Utah's top two Class 5A programs of the last half-decade. Alta and Bingham have combined to win the last four state titles. Bingham has won five of eight matchups against Alta during that stretch.

This matchup would have felt even bigger if Alta were not upset last week at Cottonwood (Salt Lake City). The Hawks seemed to have that game in hand, up 24-14 with a short field goal attempt with under four minutes left to play. But a botched snap led to an 80-yard fumble return for a touchdown, which tied the game at 21-21. Cottonwood took the lead four plays later when Kami Sofele intercepted a Boston Handley pass and returned 52 yards for the game-winning score. If it can recover mentally, Alta has the personnel to give Bingham all it can handle. It should be big on strength up front, where the Hawks have four experienced offensive linemen ready to butt heads with Bingham's ultra talented front seven.

Mitch Stephens: Bingham 42, Alta 21
Steve Montoya: Bingham 34, Alta 17
Stephen Spiewak: Bingham 35, Alta 17
Kevin Askeland: Bingham, 42, Alta 21
Jamie DeMoney: Bingham 35, Alta 14
MaxPreps Projection: Bingham 44, Alta 6

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.

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