Two teams sitting outside the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings, No. 29 Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.) and No. 30 Cathedral (Indianapolis), face off Friday in the Hoosier State's biggest game of the year thus far. The Trojans and Fighting Irish each enter 8-0 on the eve of playoffs, and a statement win could get the winner into next week's rankings.
Center Grove has outscored the opposition 351-53 this year while Cathedral has notable wins over Carmel (Ind.), Elder (Cincinnati), La Salle (Cincinnati) and St. Xavier (Cincinnati).
Nearly half of this week's Top 10 matchups are in Texas.
No. 7 Katy vs. Tompkins (Katy) was originally featured in this week's slate but that game was moved to Week 10 so we added No. 35 Rockwall vs. Highland Park (Dallas) instead.
The other three matchups include No. 36 Aledo hosting Cedar Hill, Trinity Christian (Cedar Hill) at No. 31 DeSoto and No. 2 North Shore goes for its 19th consecutive win against a 2-0 Manvel squad.
Games in Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey and Utah also are featured this week.
Nathan McCahill, Cathedral
Photo by Julie Brown
Friday, 7 p.m. (All times local)
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The Center Grove defense allows just over six points per game while Cathedral averages nearly 43 points. This is the seventh meeting since 2014 and the Trojans have won four of the previous six though the Fighting Irish won last year, 14-9.
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The Green Knights bounced back with a 49-21 win over Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) after a season-opening loss to No. 23 Bergen Catholic (Oradell). Estime has been unstoppable through the first two games of the season, rushing for 462 yards and seven touchdowns. The defending Non-Public Group IV champions have won 13 of their last 14 games but that one loss came against St. Joseph Regional. The Green Knights have won 10 of the previous 12 meetings, including three in a row.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
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This game was announced Oct. 9 after COVID-19 cancellations left both teams looking to fill their schedules. It's the first meeting between the Texas powers since 1985. Aledo won its ninth state championship last season, setting a new 11-man state record, while the Longhorns have won three state titles with the last coming in 2014.
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
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Expect another instant classic between these two schools. The last three meetings have all been decided by one score and they have scored a combined 318 points in those three games. The Yellowjackets knocked off Quinn Ewers and Southlake Carroll last week and jumped into the Top 50 rankings while Highland Park had to cancel its first two games because of COVID concerns but they got back on the field last week and beat Coppell, 42-36.
Saturday, 12 p.m. at Northwestern high school (Detroit)
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The PSL championship is up for grabs Saturday between the Detroit powers. This is their second meeting of the season with Cass Tech winning 34-26 in the first game. The Crusaders have won three straight since that season-opening loss, outscoring the opposition 113-7 during that span.
Saturday, 7 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium (Metairie)
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John Curtis: DB
Caleb Spann (5-10, 170), DB
Jackson Wallace (6-1, 175), QB
Buddy Taylor (5-10, 170), RB
Charles Quinn (5-8, 165), LB
Connor Orgeron (6-1, 215)
The four-time defending 4A state champs have got out of the gates rolling beating Easton (New Orleans) and Catholic (Baton Rouge) in back-to-back weeks. The Patriots, however, look to bounce back this week following a 21-13 loss to Acadiana (Lafayette), the defending 5A champion. A win over John Curtis Christian would be huge for the Cougars. Curtis has won all three meetings since 2013, including a 42-39 victory last season.
Wednesday, 7 p.m.
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Corner Canyon keeps finding ways to win. The Chargers trailed by double digits in each of their last two games but came back to beat Lone Peak (Highland) and Skyridge (Lehi) and increase the school's winning streak to 35. Up next is American Fork to close out the regular season. Madsen and the Cavemen are averaging nearly 45 points per game.
Friday, 7 p.m.
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DeSoto canceled its game last week against Prosper but returns to the field Friday hosting 2021 Florida Atlantic commit Sanders and Trinity Christian. The Tigers are 5-2 playing a national schedule, but face their toughest opponent to date. Claude Mathis has the Eagles back to being state title contenders after dominating Judson (Converse) 37-0 to open the season.
Friday, 7 p.m.
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The back-to-back 6A Division 1 state champions face another big test Friday against an undefeated Manvel squad. Auburn-bound quarterback Davis has shown why he's one of the nation's best during the early part of his senior campaign. Expect him to be in the mix for the National Player of the Year award.
Friday, 7 p.m.
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The Raiders gets started this week against 3-0 TRU Prep Academy, which has outscored its first three opponents, 152-35. Roger Harriott's squad is loaded with talent and will be in the mix to finish the year at No. 1 in the country. The Raiders won their 11th state title last year, tying them with Bolles (Jacksonville) for the most all-time in Florida.
