Football
If last week’s results didn’t tell you that there’s plenty of parity when it comes to the national high school football elites, we not quite sure what to tell you. Several games from the week before greatly impacted the national scene, maybe none more than Corona Centennial’s 43-36 win over previous No. 1 Mater Dei.
The Huskies knocked off the country’s top ranked team, paving the way for a much more interesting matchup this week between the Monarchs and Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nevada) in Las Vegas on Friday night. Here’s a look at the 10 biggest national high school football games you won’t want to miss from Sep. 18-20.
No. 14 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at Orange Lutheran (Calif.)
When: Thursday, Sep. 18, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Montell Field, Orange, Calif.
The No. 14 ranked Sierra Canyon Trailblazers (4-0) take to the road in what could be one of their toughest challenges away from home when they face Orange Lutheran (3-1). Orange Lutheran traveled out to the desert a couple weeks ago to face Arizona’s top-ranked Basha and fell, 30-24. The Lancers (3-1) have since bounced back with a resounding 35-14 win over Junipero Serra and have one of California’s best offensive lines, led by Alabama commit Samuelu Utu.
Massey Prediction: Sierra Canyon 27, JSerra Catholic 25
Central Catholic (Mass.) at St. John’s Preparatory School (Mass.)
When: Friday, September 19, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Cronin Stadium, Danvers, Massachusetts
It’s not often we sneak in a New England matchup, but this one has all the makings of potentially being a good one when the Raiders and Eagles meet on Friday evening. St. John’s Preparatory School (2-0) features one of the top Class of 2028 quarterbacks in the country in Christopher Vargas. Central Catholic (1-1) bounced back from a season opening loss to Archbishop Stepanic with a 28-7 throttling of Boston College High last week.
Massey Prediction: St. John’s Preparatory School 41, Central Catholic 14
Vestavia Hills (Ala.) at No. 23 Thompson (Ala.)
When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Warrior Stadium, Alabaster, Ala.
The top national high school football game in the Yellowhammer State this weekend pits No. 23 Thompson (3-1) and Vestavia Hills (3-1), with the former being Alabama’s defending Class 7A state champions.
Thompson junior quarterback Trent Seaborn has been the steady hand behind center for the Warriors as the passer has already thrown for 974 yards and nine touchdowns this season. The Warriors boast one of the top defensive lines in the Southeast, featuring senior UNC defensive lineman commit Viliami Moala, who pairs up with Oregon junior four-star commit Cam Pritchett. Both Moala and Pritchett will look to make life tough for Rebels’ quarterback Charlie Taffee and crew.
Massey Prediction: Thompson 35, Vestavia Hills 14
Parker (Ala.) at Carrollton (Ga.)
When: Friday, September 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Grisham Stadium, Carrollton, Georgia
For the second time this season, the Yellowhammer and Peach states collide in a massive matchup when Parker travels to Carrollton. The Trojans have enjoyed solid quarterback play post-Julian Lewis as freshman CJ Cypher (873 yards, nine TDs) has been strong behind center with running back Cameron Wood (378 yards, 10 TDs) alongside him. Parker features one of the top defensive units in Alabama, with Texas four-star commit Vodney Cleveland and Memphis cornerback pledge Johnny Moody leading the way.
Massey Prediction: Carrollton 42, Parker 13
Miami Central (Fla.) at No. 22 American Heritage (Fla.)
When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Heritage Field, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
With the news of five-star quarterback Dia Bell (Texas commit) being out for the rest of the season for American Heritage, the Patriots move forward and will likely start former Miami Northwestern quarterback Leon Strawder, who transferred in last week. Strawder is a very suitable replacement for Bell, coming off leading the Bulls to last year’s Florida FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Miami Central is off to a red hot start under first-year head coach Derrick Gibson and Friday’s tilt is the first major matchup of the season for the Rockets.
Massey Prediction: Miami Central 35, American Heritage 28
Trinity (Texas) at No. 13 Southlake Carroll (Texas)
When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Dragon Stadium, Southlake, Texas
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Southlake Carroll (3-0) continue to prove themselves in making a case to being the state’s No. 1 team early on. Pittsburgh commit Angelo Renda and his favorite target, Ohio State pledge Brock Boyd, who has hauled in 18 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns this season, have remained the state’s top quarterback-wide receiver tandem. Trinity (3-0) head in looking to pull off the upset, but will need elite play from their defensive unit, led by junior four-star cornerback John Meredith.
Massey Prediction: Southlake Carroll 42, Trinity 18
Baylor School (Tenn.) at Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.)
When: Friday, September 19, 8 p.m. ET
Where: The Den, Nashville, Tennessee
Another matchup that pits a couple of the state’s best is an all-Tennessee tilt when Baylor School (3-0) heads to Nashville to face Christ Presbyterian Academy. The current 1-3 record for Christ Presbyterian Academy is deceiving as the Lions have played some of the region’s top teams, with losses coming against Oakland, Tupelo (Mississippi) and Archbishop Moeller (Ohio). The Red Raiders boast an offense that features junior four-star running back David Gabriel Georges and senior quarterback Briggs Cherry (Louisville commit).
Massey Prediction: Baylor School 35, Christ Presbyterian Academy 22
Cass Technical (Mich.) at Martin Luther King Jr. (Mich.)
When: Friday, September 19, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Martin Luther King High School Football Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Two of the best high school football programs out of Michigan face off Friday night in the Motor City as the undefeated Technicians take on the Crusaders. Cass Technical is the state’s No. 1 ranked team, led by a slew of future Power 4 talent on both sides of the ball. Leading the way on offense for the Technicians is sophomore four-star quarterback Donald Tabron II. The Crusaders will look to slow down Tabron II behind a strong secondary, led by Cincinnati commit Jaidon Windom.
Massey Prediction: Cass Technical 28, Martin Luther King Jr. 22
St. Louis (Hawaii) at No. 2 St. John Bosco (Calif.)
When: Friday, September 19, 10 p.m. ET
Where: St. John Bosco Stadium, Bellflower, California
The best of the Aloha State and Golden State clash in Bellflower when the Crusaders travel into the mainland to take on the second-ranked Braves. St. John Bosco sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu has been impressive through four games, completing 30 of 50 passes for 537 yards and nine touchdowns. The Braves have been rolling as of late and are California’s No. 1 team at this current juncture of the season. St. Louis comes in as the odds on favorite to repeat as state champions in Hawaii behind another talented roster, led by Cal commit Nainoa Lopes behind center.
Massey Prediction: St. John Bosco 42, St. Louis 7
No. 4 Mater Dei (Calif.) at No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Fertitta Field, Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 4 Mater Dei (3-1) has no time to sit around and wallow in what just happened against Corona Centennial as they travel into Sin City to face the undefeated No. 1 Bishop Gorman Gaels. The Monarchs’ offensive attack didn’t wake up until the second half against the Huskies and they’ll need five-star tight end Mark Bowman (USC commit), five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit) and three-star quarterback Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin) to get going early. The Gaels’ offense is humming, coming off a 35-10 win over East St. Louis. Bishop Gorman has been rolling behind the play of Hawaii quarterback commit Maika Eugenio, who has thrown for 1,044 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. This is arguably the best national high school football game of them all.
Massey Prediction: Bishop Gorman 42, Mater Dei 20
For high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.
Read More Samatha Klemp