The last MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week for the month of September has five games that involve nationally ranked teams and also two intriguing interregional games to be played in Sandy, Utah.
On Friday, Allen (Texas) will put its undefeated record and
MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national ranking on the line when it travels to fellow unbeaten Coppell. Although both teams have a "run-first" offensive mentality, plenty of scoring is expected. Each squad is averaging more than 35 points per game and the teams combined to score more than 70 when they last met in 2008.
Meanwhile, No. 6 Camden County (Kingsland, Ga.) could have its hands full it meets Valdosta (Ga.) at legendary Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. This will be Camden County's maiden voyage as a member of Georgia's ultra tough Region 1-AAAAA.
Major League Soccer venue Rio Tinto Stadium in suburban Salt Lake City will be the site of the Xfinity Challenge on Saturday. Host teams Jordan (Sandy) and Alta (Sandy) would make a major statement for prep football in Utah if they can beat St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and defending national champion Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).
There is a two-way tie for the lead in our season-long predictions contest. Stephen Spiewak and Jamie DeMoney have each correctly prognosticated the winner in 38 of 50 featured games this season. Steve Montoya and Leland Gordon share third place, only one game off the pace. Mitch Stephens and Kevin Askeland are bringing up the rear but are just two games behind the leaders.
Here's a look at this week's Top 10 games of the week along with predictions by MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Leland Gordon and Jamie DeMoney.
MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week
Allen's ascent through the national rankings has been amazing this season. A trip to Coppell will really show if the rise is for real.
Photos by Neil Fonville/Alik McIntosh
Allen amassed more than 300 rushing yards en route to a comfortable 42-17 victory over Hebron (Lewisville) last week. It was the Eagles' fourth win – all by at least 17 points. Not a lot was expected back in the preseason from this Allen team – which returned only five total starters – but it opened the year with a 24-0 win over then-nationally ranked Carroll (Southlake) and itself is now ranked 15th in the latest MaxPreps Xcellent 25.
Allen is the No. 1 Southwest team in this week's Regional Computer RankingsCoppell improved its record to 4-0 with a 35-14 blowout of Garland last week. The Cowboys were led by speedy junior
Gavin McDaniel, who ran for three touchdowns and more than 150 yards. Coppell's defense, featuring New Mexico-bound lineman
William Udeh, has allowed only 31 points through four games.
Mitch Stephens: Coppell 28, Allen 27
Steve Montoya: Allen 31, Coppell 21
Stephen Spiewak: Allen 24, Coppell 21
Kevin Askeland: Allen 30, Coppell 28
Leland Gordon: Allen 28, Coppell 20
Jamie DeMoney: Coppell 35, Allen 27
