National High School Football Games of the Week: August 14-16

The mid-point of August marks the beginning of the high school football season for many states across the country, and games are already underway. Hawaii kicked things off last week but a number of others are set to go over the next few days, including Alaska, Georgia and Nevada.

Below, we break down five key showdowns this week featuring highly-ranked prospects and top-25 teams in the Rivals National High School Football Composite Rankings.

No. 7 Buford (Ga.) vs. No. 13 Milton (Ga.)

When: Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Phillip Beard Stadium, Buford, Ga.

We’re sure these foes are ready to be done with talking season and excited to hit the gridiron as the Wolves will debut their new $62-million Phillip Beard Stadium in front of a national ESPN2 audience. What might have thrown fuel on the proverbial fire of this tilt is, after Buford‘s preseason scrimmage against Langston Hughes, the scoreboard showed a 70-6 score in favor of the Wolves over Milton. Oof.

Massey prediction: Buford 28, Milton 20

No. 6 IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. The First Academy (Fla.)

When: Thursday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Warden Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

The official start of the Florida high school football season begins next week, but seeing that IMG Academy doesn’t take part in the FHSAA state series and The First Academy is banned from the 2025 postseason, these two teams will certainly be treating this game like it counts. It’s been well known throughout the Sunshine State how much better the Royals have gotten through a series of transfers into the program, including the likes of quarterback Landen Holley (transferred from Wesley Chapel), athlete Brian Dillard (transferred from West Orange) and edge rusher Kingston Shaw (transferred from Apopka). The Thursday night showdown will be the head coaching debut of former Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa for IMG Academy.

Massey prediction: IMG Academy 44, The First Academy 6

No. 10 Grayson (Ga.) at Collins Hill (Ga.)

When: Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Fahring Field, Lawrenceville, Ga.

The Rams matchup against Collins Hill will serve as quite the in-state follow-up to the Buford-Milton on Thursday. Grayson‘s lone loss of the 2024 season was against Collins Hill in the season opener. The Rams bounced back from that loss with a 14-game winning streak and a GHSA Class 6A state championship. There should be plenty of juice in this matchup.

Massey prediction: Grayson 35, Collins Hill 19

Benedictine Military School (Ga.) at Colquitt County (Ga.)

When: Friday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mack Tharpe Stadium, Moultrie, Ga.

There’s nothing like some good ole South Georgia high school football and there’s no better matchup than when the Cadets head into Mack Tharpe Stadium on Friday night. Benedictine Military School features one of the nation’s edge rushers in 2027 five-star LaDamion Guyton, who recently committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Colquitt County counters with a ground attack led by four-star Georgia commit Jae Lamar, who was just named a Rivals Preseason High School Football All-Americans.

Massey prediction: Colquitt County 37, Benedictine Military School 18

Kahuku (Hawaii) vs. Kamehameha Kapalama (Hawaii)

When: Saturday, Aug. 16 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Carleton Weimer Field, Kahuku, Hawaii

If you don’t think the Red Raiders are steaming from opening up the season with a big goose egg against St. Louis, well, you might want to think again. Kahuku‘s offense was stymied last week, as multiple first half turnovers led to the Crusaders heading into halftime with a commanding 13-0 lead. On the other side of the coin is Kamehameha Kapalama, which didn’t have any such issues in their opener as they cruised to a 41-21 victory over Farrington to kick off the season.

Massey prediction: Kahuku 37, Kamehameha Kapalama 12