Updated: MaxPreps Top 10 football games of the week

The MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week include a much-anticipated Florida-Georgia border war between two of the winningest programs in each state.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), the nation's 13th ranked team, hosts No. 11 Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) on national television Friday night. Aquinas has three state titles since 1999 and was runner-up five times during the 2000s while Camden County won four championships during the same period including the past two seasons.

Out east, defending national champion Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) faces another stern test when it travels to county rival Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), which is coached by its former offensive coordinator. One of the top games in the Midwest takes place in Louisville, Ky., where St. Xavier and Trinity square off for the 70th time. In the Southwest, No. 24 Hamilton's 31-game winning streak could be in jeopardy as it faces cross-town rival Chandler (Ariz.).

MaxPreps National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak (45-15 overall) has widened his lead to four games over Top 10 Games of the Week author Jamie DeMoney in the season-long prediction contest. Steve Montoya and two-time defending predictions champ MaxPreps Projections are tied for third place at seven games back. Kevin Askeland and Mitch Stephens continue to bring up the rear in the race, 10 games back. 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:

Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) at St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), FINAL Aquinas 42-24
This is the second game in five weeks against a highly ranked Florida opponent for Camden County, which is ranked No. 11 this week in the Xcellent 25 High School Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. The Wildcats, who won the past two Georgia 5A titles, beat Central (Miami) 45-42 in a home game earlier this season. Opponents struggle to slow down their Wing-T offense, which relies on multiple fake handoffs and misdirection. Because of that, the Wildcats are averaging 54 points per game.

It's the second consecutive year St. Thomas Aquinas has hosted a nationally ranked defending state champion on national television. Last season, the Raiders beat Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), 42-34. They are ranked No. 13 in this week's Xcellent 25 with a 3-0 record, including a 31-3 victory in Texas against Skyline (Dallas) to open the season. In contrast to Camden County's run-oriented attack, Aquinas employs a more traditional pro-style offense with good balance between the run and passing game. Iowa-bound quarterback Jacob Rudock has completed 66 percent of his throws for 646 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. University of Miami recruit Phillip Dorsett has returned a kickoff or punt for a touchdown in two consecutive games.

Mitch Stephens: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Camden County 27
Steve Montoya: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Camden County 21
Stephen Spiewak: Camden County 28, St. Thomas Aquinas 27
Kevin Askeland: Camden County 40, St. Thomas Aquinas 30
Jamie DeMoney: St. Thomas Aquinas 27, Camden County 13
MaxPreps Projection: St. Thomas Aquinas 44, Camden County 22

Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) at Plant (Tampa, Fla.), FINAL Armwood 14-0
One of the biggest games annually in the Tampa Bay region renews with No. 10 Armwood holding a 4-3 edge in the series since 2005. The Hawks defense has allowed only 13 points in three games this season. On the other side of the ball, Matt Jones is one of the nation's most sought-after running back prospects in the Class of 2012. He ran for 107 yards on 11 carries in a 54-0 rout of Wharton (Tampa, Fla.) last week.

Plant was nationally ranked to start the year but dropped quickly after being clobbered by Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.) in a preseason contest. In games that count, the Panthers are 3-1 with their only loss coming in Texas to Abilene, 27-17. Last week, they erupted for 42 points in the first quarter in a 56-6 blowout of Riverview. James Wilder, the nation's No. 1 recruit according to MaxPreps' Tom Lemming, scored on a 40-yard touchdown run and Alabama-bound quarterback Phillip Ely threw an 80-yard scoring strike on the first play from scrimmage.

Mitch Stephens: Plant 34, Armwood 21
Steve Montoya: Plant 24, Armwood 21
Stephen Spiewak: Armwood, 35, Plant 14
Kevin Askeland: Armwood, 35, Plant 12
Jamie DeMoney: Plant 21, Armwood 18
MaxPreps Projection: Armwood 28, Plant 7

Warren Central (Indianapolis) vs. Carmel (Ind.), FINAL Warren Central 37-27
Against Indiana opponents, Warren Central has won 13 straight, dating back to an early October loss last season to Carmel. But the Warriors avenged that defeat eight weeks later in the 5A championship game. Their only setback this season came in the closing minutes of the game against No. 15 Glenville (Cleveland). Last week the Warriors rolled up 47 first-half points and 470 total yards in a 54-7 rout of Terre Haute North.

This game – which will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts – has special significance for Carmel coach Kevin Wright, who led Warren Central to three straight 5A championships from 2003-05 before being hired at Union (Tulsa, Okla.). In his first year at Carmel, his team is ranked No. 1 in the state by the Indianapolis Star. The Greyhounds improved to 6-0 on the year after racking up 480 total yards and shutting out North Central (Indianapolis), 28-0, last week.

Mitch Stephens: Warren Central 31, Carmel 30
Steve Montoya: Carmel 31, Warren Central 21
Stephen Spiewak: Warren Central 28, Carmel 20
Kevin Askeland: Warren Central 28, Carmel 27
Jamie DeMoney: Warren Central 31, Carmel 12
MaxPreps Projection: Warren Central 34, Carmel 17

Muskegon (Mich.) vs. Rockford (Mich.), FINAL 52-44
Two of the top programs in the Great Lake State do battle in a classic OK Red Conference showdown to be played at Fifth Third Ballpark in suburban Grand Rapids. Muskegon added to its storied tradition last week when it became just the 11th school in history to post 750 wins. The Big Reds blasted East Kentwood 59-14 for their fourth consecutive win. They had 347 rushing yards in the game, including 144 on 12 carries from senior quarterback Kavonte Keyes.

When it came to winning state championships last decade, Rockford was Muskegon's equal. Both programs took home three titles. In this series, the Rams have won two of the last three. They are 4-1 on the season after a hard-fought 14-7 win last week at previously unbeaten West Ottawa (Holland, Mich.). Senior linebacker Brett Egnatuk led a gritty defensive effort with 14 tackles.

Mitch Stephens: Muskegon 21, Rockford 20
Steve Montoya: Rockford 17, Muskegon 10
Stephen Spiewak: Muskegon 13, Rockford 7
Kevin Askeland: Muskegon 38, Rockford 14
Jamie DeMoney: Rockford 23, Muskegon 20
MaxPreps Projection: Muskegon 31, Rockford 22

St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.) vs. Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), FINAL Trinity 48-0
One of the nation's best rivalries renews for the 70th time. The game will be played at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, where at least 26,000 fans have been on hand to watch these teams play every year since 1998. They were unquestionably the top two high school football programs in Kentucky's largest classification in the last decade. One of the two has reached the state championship game every year since 1999 and they played each other for the title four times during that stretch, including last season when St. Xavier beat Trinity, 34-10, for the 6A title. Both squads have one loss this season to the same opponent. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio) beat the Tigers 32-13 in week three and Trinity lost the following week, 17-10. Last week, St. Xavier beat Central (Louisville, Ky.), 35-20. Senior La'mont McMurry led the way with 196 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Last week, Trinity squeaked past Bowling Green, 14-12. Derek Bishop ran for 154 yards and one touchdown. It was the senior’s fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game. The Shamrocks' starting quarterback is sophomore Travis Wright, who has completed 72 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

Mitch Stephens: St. Xavier 20, Trinity 17
Steve Montoya: Trinity 20, St. Xavier 14
Stephen Spiewak: Trinity 28, St. Xavier 24
Kevin Askeland: Trinity 30, St. Xavier 28
Jamie DeMoney: St. Xavier 31, Trinity 27
MaxPreps Projection: Trinity 21, St. Xavier 14

Guyer (Denton, Texas) at Coppell (Texas), FINAL Coppell 31-14
This figures to be one of the most entertaining offensive games of the season in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Guyer, led by Oklahoma State-bound quarterback J.W. Walsh, has scored 34 points or more in every game including its only loss of the year – 42-41 in week two to Cedar Hill. Walsh has more than 900 passing yards and more than 300 rushing yards with 15 touchdowns in four games.

Coppell improved to 4-0 when it hammered Saginaw, 55-0, last week. Senior running back Cam McDaniel ran for 135 yards and scored five first-half touchdowns, including a 75-yard punt return. Quarterback Joe Minden has more than 800 passing yards and nine touchdowns and the Cowboys are averaging more than 500 yards of total offense as a team.

Mitch Stephens: Guyer 42, Coppell 41
Steve Montoya: Coppell 42, Guyer 28
Stephen Spiewak: Coppell 35, Guyer 24
Kevin Askeland: Guyer 40, Coppell 30
Jamie DeMoney: Guyer 49, Coppell 45
MaxPreps Projection: Coppell 27, Guyer 21

Bear Creek (Lakewood, Colo.) at Mullen (Denver), FINAL Mullen 34-14
This matchup in the newly aligned 5A West Metro Conference pits the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the state, according to the Denver Post. It is their first meeting since Mullen beat the Bears for the 2005 state championship. Forget winning the game, the first challenge for an otherwise prolific Bear Creek offense will just be putting points on the board. Mullen hasn’t allowed anyone to score in four games this season and has shut out 10 of its last 18 opponents.

Mullen has a roster dotted up and down with Division I prospects. The leaders on defense are linebackers Leilon Willingham and Colorado recruit Brady Daigh. On offense, Adonis Ameen Moore is a four-year starter at running back while Rayshon Williams – nephew of Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall – is a dynamic target for talented junior signal caller Cyler Miles.

Mitch Stephens: Mullen 28, Bear Creek 21
Steve Montoya: Mullen 28, Bear Creek 10
Stephen Spiewak: Mullen 20, Bear Creek 7
Kevin Askeland: Mullen 21, Bear Creek 20
Jamie DeMoney: Mullen 24, Bear Creek 10
MaxPreps Projection: Mullen 31, Bear Creek 3

Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) at Chandler (Ariz.), FINAL Hamilton 38-20
Hamilton, ranked No. 24 this week by MaxPreps, hasn't lost to its crosstown rival in eight straight meetings and hasn't lost to anybody since 2008. The Huskies are 6-0 and are averaging about 275 rushing yards as a team per game. Kyren Poe has been outstanding in his first year as starting quarterback. In a 35-17 win last week against Desert Vista (Phoenix), the senior surpassed 100 yards both rushing and passing with four total touchdowns. Malcolm Holland, who played last season for Chandler, has been a leader on offense, defense and special teams for the Huskies.

This nationally televised rivalry game is particularly important for Chandler, which would love to break its losing streak to Hamilton for coach Jim Ewan, who will retire following the season. The Wolves have one the nation's top quarterbacks in UCLA recruit Brett Hundley. The senior has thrown for 1,365 yards with 11 touchdowns and only one interception and also ran for 487 yards and three scores.

Mitch Stephens: Hamilton 27, Chandler 24
Steve Montoya: Hamilton 35, Chandler 21
Stephen Spiewak: Hamilton 21, Chandler 17
Kevin Askeland: Hamilton 50, Chandler 30
Jamie DeMoney: Chandler 28, Hamilton 17
MaxPreps Projection: Hamilton 41, Chandler 28

Westlake (Westlake Village, Calif.) at Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.), FINAL Westlake 31-12
Now that both are in the Marmonte League, the crosstown matchup all of Westlake Village – and probably a good portion of the entire Los Angeles area – has been waiting for is set to happen. Westlake, ranked sixth in this week's Xcellent 25, has breezed to a 3-0 start including last week's 52-0 rout of previously unbeaten Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.). Quarterback Nick Isham – one of several offensive stars on the team – has completed 78 percent of his passes for 414 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Oaks Christian continues to step up its level of competition after a dominant run at the small-school level when it won six straight CIF Southern Section titles from 2003-08 and produced 16 top-level FBS recruits. This year, the Lions are 2-1 after blowing out Calabasas (Calif.), 47-6, last week. Duke-bound receiver Blair Holliday caught six passes for 119 yards from senior quarterbacks Richie Harrington and Trevor Gretzky.

Mitch Stephens: Westlake 42, Oaks Christian 35
Steve Montoya: Westlake 41, Oaks Christian 21
Stephen Spiewak: Westlake 35, Oaks Christian 17
Kevin Askeland: Oaks Christian 33, Westlake 32
Jamie DeMoney: Westlake 35, Oaks Christian 20
MaxPreps Projection: Westlake 38, Oaks Christian 20

Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), Saturday
No. 14 Don Bosco Prep has already toppled a pair of out-of-state powers in Gilman (Baltimore) and St. Ignatius (Cleveland) in the early season. Now, the defending national champion sets its sights on county rival Bergen Catholic, which it has defeated in six straight meetings. What was expected to be a rebuilding year for the Ironmen has produced a number of emerging stars, but none has been brighter than running back Paul Canevari. The senior has rushed for 749 yards and seven touchdowns in three games this season.

What is already a huge game for Bergen Catholic each year feels even bigger this time around with first-year coach Nunzio Campanile on the sidelines. Campanile is Don Bosco's former athletic director and was offensive coordinator during the national championship run last season. Speaking of offense, the Crusaders (3-0) have plenty of weapons on that side of the ball. Northwestern recruit Cameron Dickerson – a 6-foot-3 senior – is the team's top receiver while 6-5 Tanner McEvoy – a former receiver himself – is the quarterback. Last week, the two hooked up for a 40-yard touchdown pass in a 54-12 blowout of Teaneck.

Mitch Stephens: Don Bosco Prep 21, Bergen Catholic 20
Steve Montoya: Bergen Catholic 28, Don Bosco Prep 27
Stephen Spiewak: Don Bosco Prep 31, Bergen Catholic 17
Kevin Askeland: Don Bosco Prep 14, Bergen Catholic 12
Jamie DeMoney: Don Bosco Prep 30, Bergen Catholic 24
MaxPreps Projection: Don Bosco Prep 31, Bergen Catholic 12

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.