MaxPreps Top 10 high school football games of the week

Video: Top 10 Games of the Week
No. 12 Bishop Gorman hosts No. 2 Mater Dei in a matchup of the last two national champions.

Ten ranked teams are featured in this week's slate of games including two Top 25 matchups between No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 12 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) along with a huge Florida showdown between No. 13 Miami Central (Fla.) and No. 19 Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale. Fla.).

No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hosts DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), a team just outside of the Top 25. This game has over 30 future Division I players and is a can't-miss game on ESPN2 this Saturday night.

No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) gets a chance to show that last week's preseason kickoff classic was a fluke and they take on the defending Pennsylvania 6A state champs, Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pa.).

No. 11 Corona Centennial (Calif.) was the biggest mover in this week's Xcellent 25 rankings presented by the Army National Guard after beating the back-to-back Arizona 6A state champs, Chandler, 35-13. Up next is very explosive Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) squad who is the first team out of the Top 25.

In Alabama, the defending 6A and 7A state champs meet Saturday on ESPN2 when Hoover (Ala.) welcomes Bo Nix and Pinson Valley (Pinson, Ala.) to its backyard.

Four of the 10 games selected this week are part of the ESPN GEICO Showcase — Mater Dei at Bishop Gorman, DeMatha at St. Thomas Aquinas, Pinson Valley at Hoover, and No. 23 Warren Central at Trinity.
MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week

No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) @ No. 12 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Friday, 6 p.m. (All times local)

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Top Players

Mater Dei: ATH Bru McCoy (6-2.5, 215), QB Bryce Young (6-0, 175), OT Myles Murao (6-3, 270), RB Sean Dollars (5-10, 185), CB Elias Ricks (6-2, 180)

Bishop Gorman: QB Micah Bowens (6-1, 180), CB Kyu Kelly (6-0, 160), DE Treven Ma'ae (6-4, 240), OG Beau Taylor (6-5, 285), ATH Falcon Kaumatule (6-8, 220)

The last two national champs meet in Las Vegas in one of the biggest games of the year. Last year, Bishop Gorman rolled out to Southern California and had its 55-game winning streak snapped. A name to keep tabs on is Micah Bowens, he is up next for the Gaels at quarterback and, no big deal, all he has to do in his first career start is face the No. 2 team in the country. The Monarchs played last week and cruised to a 42-14 win over Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.). Dollars and Shakobe Harper combined for 280 yards rushing and four scores and the defense balled out, led by McCoy who finished the night with two sacks.

DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) @ No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Saturday, 7 p.m.

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Top Players

DeMatha: S Nick Cross (6-0.5, 207), S DeMarcco Hellams (6-1, 205), RB Marshawn Lloyd (5-10, 210), DE Coziah Izzard (6-3, 260), WR Jermaine Johnson Jr.

St. Thomas Aquinas: S Jordan Battle (6-1, 185), CB Jaden Davis (5-9, 170), LB Anthony Solomon (6-0, 190), WR Marcus Rosemy (6-0.5, 180), RB Daniel Carter (5-10, 205)

Both teams are eager for the 2018 season to begin. It was a down year for both last season but don't expect that to happen again. DeMatha went 6-5 in 2017 but the Stags should compete with St. John's (Washington, D.C.) for the WCAC title. They have one of the best duos in the secondary led by 2019 Alabama commit Hellams and 4-star safety Cross, the No. 1 rated player in Maryland. Aquinas has sent more players to the NFL than any other high school over the last decade and don't expect them to stop now. Their secondary is as good as anyone led by 2019 Ohio State commit Battle and 2019 Oklahoma commit Davis.

No. 13 Central (Miami) @ No. 19 Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
Saturday, 7 p.m.

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Top Players

Miami Central: CB Henry Gray (5-11.5, 175), DE Jesus Machado (6-1, 205), RB Lexington Joseph (5-6.5, 170), RB Kejon Owens (5-9.5, 165), QB Maurice Underwood (6-3, 170)

Cardinal Gibbons: QB Nik Scalzo (5-11, 185), RB Vincent Davis (5-8, 165), RB Tajae Davis (5-10, 200), LB Yahweh Jeudy (6-2, 215), S Sidney Porter (5-11, 195)

It's a huge 6A (Miami Central) vs. 5A (Cardinal Gibbons) Florida showdown on Saturday night. Cardinal Gibbons was dealt a huge blow when 4-star defensive end Khris Bogle suffered an injury in the preseason classic and the Chiefs will be without him for three to four weeks with a mild knee sprain. Luckily, they have one of the best offenses in the state led by 2019 Kentucky commit Scalzo. Miami Central lost some key pieces, but added a couple of big-time transfers in 2020 Miami commit Gray and 4-star defensive end Machado. The Rockets also have one of the most underrated backfields in the country with Joseph and Owens splitting carries. They rushed for 200-plus yards and three touchdowns in their preseason kickoff classic win over Atlantic (Delray Beach, Fla.).

No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) @ Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pa.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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Top Players

IMG Academy: RB Trey Sanders (6-0, 215), DE Nolan Smith (6-3, 230), RB Noah Cain (5-10, 210), OT Evan Neal (6-7.5, 360), LB Jaleel McRae (6-2, 230)

Pine-Richland: OT Andrew Kristofic (6-6, 270), OG Michael Katic (6-4, 270), C Michael Dorundo (6-1, 255), ATH Luke Meckler (5-9, 160), QB Cole Spencer (5-10, 180)

Don't expect IMG Academy to come out slow again this week. They were down 27-0 against Columbia (Lake City, Fla.) at one point last week in their preseason kickoff classic, but that game does not count on the record. They open the real season Friday on the road against the defending Pennsylvania 6A state champs. Pine-Richland has to replace a ton of guys on offense, including 2018 Notre Dame commit Phil Jurkovec. The biggest strength for the Rams is on the offensive line and that will help out their new quarterback, Spencer.

No. 11 Centennial (Corona, Calif.) vs. Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. (Orange Coast College)

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Top Players

Corona Centennial: WR Gary Bryant Jr. (5-10, 160), DE Drake Jackson (6-4, 260), RB Thomas Kinslow (5-10, 180), LB Tuasivi Nomura (6-1, 195), CB Isaiah Young (5-10, 160)

Orange Lutheran: WR Kyle Ford (6-2, 215), QB Ryan Hilinski (6-4, 240), WR Logan Loya (5-11.5, 170), TE Ethan Rae (6-4, 240), CB KJ Trujillo (6-1, 170)

This is a huge Southern California showdown. Corona Centennial had the most impressive win of last weekend and look to get its second straight quality win against a very talented Lancers team that includes one of the best quarterback/wide receiver combos in high school football in Hilinski and Ford. The Huskies showed why everyone has been hyping up their defense by limiting a big-time offense, Chandler (Ariz.), to 13 points last week. Expect 4-star 2020 wide receiver Bryant Jr. to put up Javon McKinley type of numbers all season long. He balled for 264 yards receiving and three scores last week.

Our Lady of Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) @ Marietta (Ga.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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Top Players

Good Counsel: OT Mason Lunsford (6-5, 305), WR Cam Hart (6-3, 190), QB Kam Snell (5-10, 190), LB Julio Ayamel (6-1, 215), RB Latrele Palmer (5-11, 210)

Marietta: QB Harrison Bailey (6-4, 215), WR Ramel Keyton (6-3, 180), ATH Arik Gilbert (6-5, 250), BJ Ojulari (6-4, 215), OT Jake Wray (6-5, 290)

Marietta faces its second consecutive tough opponent this week and the Blue Devils look to avoid a two-game losing skid after a 51-41 loss to No. 23 Rome (Ga.) in the Corky Kell Classic last week. Bailey, one of the top quarterbacks from 2020, threw for nearly 450 yards and six touchdowns connecting with 2019 Tennessee commit Keyton 14 times for nearly 200 yards and four scores. Expect a big, bounce-back game from Gilbert who had three fumbles last week. The Maryland power's strength comes in the trenches led by Lunsford and 2021 prospect Landon Tengwall.

Trinity Catholic (St. Louis) @ No. 18 Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.)
Saturday, 8 p.m.

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Top Players

Trinity Catholic: QB Isaiah Williams (5-9.5, 170), WR Marcus Washington (6-2, 190), LB Shammond Cooper (6-2, 195), ATH Mookie Cooper (5-9, 180), WR James Frenchie (5-9, 175)

Colquitt County: RB Daijun Edwards (5-11, 185), RB Ty Leggett (5-10, 170), CB Jay Ward (6-1, 175), OG Kamaar Bell (6-3, 320), LB Rashard Revels (6-0, 195)

This is one of the better out-of-state matchups of the week. Trinity Catholic is loaded with talent, especially on offense. Williams, a 2019 Illinois commit, is one of the most exciting players in the country and the 5-star playmaker has a bunch of dudes to get the rock to. Rush Propst's Colquitt squad had one of the most impressive wins of Week Zero. The Packers handed McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) its worst loss since 2007 with a 41-7 in the Corky Kell Classic. 2020 running back Edwards rushed for 162 yards and one score. The defense was lights out and Ryan Fitzgerald showed why he is the best kicker in the country nailing two, 50-plus yard field goals.


Carol City (Miami) @ American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.

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Top Players

Carol City: RB Nayquan Wright (5-8, 185), CB Jarvis Brownlee (5-10, 170), QB Daniel Richardson (5-8, 170), DT Malcolm Ray (6-2, 245), ATH Marc Britt (6-0, 160)

American Heritage: CB James Williams (6-3, 200), QB Edwin Rhodes (6-0, 160), TE Beau Johnson (6-1, 210), RB Tyler Jones (6-5.5, 165), CB Ja'Den McBurrows (5-10, 165)

Patrick Surtain still has not lost a game as head coach, but that streak could be in jeopardy against Carol City. This Chiefs team is loaded and they added some big-time transfers led by Richardson, Britt and 2019 Florida commit Wardrick Wilson. Expect a monster senior year from one of the top running backs in the country, Wright, as he returns from an injury plagued junior campaign. American Heritage doesn't rebuild, it reloads and that is what the Patriots are doing in 2018. They have to replace big-time pieces on both sides of the ball but Surtain still has a very talented bunch this year. They get a huge test on Friday night as American Heritage goes for its 28th straight win.

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No. 23 Warren Central (Indianapolis) @ Trinity (Louisville, Ky.)
Friday, 6 p.m.

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Top Players

Warren Central: WR David Bell (6-2, 185), OG Justin Britt (6-4, 285), RB Romeir Elliott (5-7, 175), QB Jayden George (6-2, 185), DE Marquise Cross (6-2, 245)

Trinity: DE Stephen Herron Jr. (6-3.5, 235), S Jacob Dingle (6-0, 185), RB Luke McGuire (5-10, 185), QB Seth Jutz, RB Geremiah Smith (5-8, 180)

Expect fireworks again Friday as last year's matchup between these two turned into one of the best games of the 2017 season. Trinity had its 30-game winning streak snapped last week against Carmel (Ind.) and the Shamrocks don't want to start the year 0-2. Warren Central showed why it's the favorite to win the 6A Indiana state title with an impressive 27-15 win last week over Center Grove (Greenwood, Ind.). This game features two of the best players in the country — Bell & 2019 Stanford commit Herron Jr.

Pinson Valley (Pinson, Ala.) @ No. 17 Hoover (Ala.)
Saturday, 12 p.m.

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Top Players

Pinson Valley: QB Bo Nix (6-1.5, 210), CB Ga'Quincy McKinstry (6-0, 175), LB Joel Parker (6-2, 240), WR Demarion Holloman (6-1, 180), CB Rhasaan Christian (5-10, 165)

Hoover: WR George Pickens (6-3.5, 190), RB Larry McCammon III (5-10, 200), QB Robby Ashford (6-4, 210), LB Nick Curtis (6-5, 205), CB Jabari Moore (6-0, 180)

The defending Alabama 6A and 7A state champs square off in a huge in-state showdown. If you are an Auburn Tiger fan this is the game for you. It features two big-time prospects that are 2019 Auburn commits —  Nix and Pickens. This is a huge opportunity for Nix to show he can ball with the big boys in Alabama. Hoover has won six state titles since 2009 and the Buccaneers are going for their third straight in 2018. Hoover checks in as the No. 17 team in our Top 25 and has one of the toughest schedules in the country this year and could be in contention to compete for the No. 1 spot by the time the 2018 season is over.

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