The pandemic hampered travel last season, scuttling many of the most anticipated out-of-state high school football games of 2020. As things begin to return to normal, the 2021 schedule is already full of marquee matchups pitting teams from throughout the MaxPreps Top 25 high school football rankings,
released last month.
And while we'll continue releasing preseason content until the first kickoff in August, here's a look at 10 games that we've circled on the calendar as "must-see." Many of these games feature gridiron hotbeds squaring off with contests pitting California vs. Texas, Florida vs. California and Georgia vs. Pennsylvania.
Other highlights include a homecoming for Patrick Surtain. The American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) head coach brings his reigning 5A Florida champions to Louisiana in September where his Patriots face Edna Karr, Surtain's alma mater. He led the Cougars to a 1993 state title as a player.
American Heritage head coach Patrick Surtain takes his Patriots to play Edna Karr in September. Surtain played his high school ball at Edna Karr, winning a Louisiana state title in 1993.
File photo by Richard Ta
Top 10 games of the year
When: Sept. 11
Where: Brady Field (Philadelphia)
When: Oct. 22
Where: Santa Ana Stadium (Santa Ana, Calif.)
When: Sept. 17
Where: TBD
When: Sept. 4
Where: Paradise Coast Sports Complex (Naples, Fla.)
When: Oct. 1
Where: Owen Owens Field (Concord, Calif.)
When: Aug. 28
Where: Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
When: Aug. 20
Where: TBD
When: Nov. 19
Where: IMG Academy Field (Bradenton, Fla.)
2 — No. 1 Mater Dei at No. 3 St. John Bosco
When: Oct. 1
Where: Panish Family Stadium (Bellflower, Calif.)
When: Aug. 27
Where: Panther Stadium (Duncanville, Texas)
St. Joseph's Prep is featured in one of the season's top 10 biggest games when the Hawks take on Milton on Sept. 11.
File photo by Robert Barnes
