National High School Football Games of the Week: Sep. 25-27

As the national high school football scene continues to shuffle the deck when it comes to upsets and surprising results, we take a look around the country for some of the top games taking place.

The latest contest from last week’s Game of the Week slate that lived up to the billing is when Mater Dei (Calif.) traveled into Sin City and upended Bishop Gorman (Nev.) at Fertitta Field. Here’s a look at the 10 biggest national high school football games you won’t want to miss from Sep. 25-27.

No. 9 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Granatell Stadium, Ramsey, N.J.

There’s no bigger game in the Garden State this season when pairing up two schools out of New Jersey. The last time Bergen Catholic (4-0) and Don Bosco Prep (3-0) squared off was in last year’s NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship game, with the Crusaders coming away with the 25-7 victory. The Crusaders have won four straight in this series as the Ironmen’s last win came back on Sep. 24, 2022 (31-7 victory). It’s hard not seeing Bergen Catholic taking a fifth straight victory in this rivalry, but these two teams always manage to play each other very close, not matter what the records are heading in.

Massey Prediction: Bergen Catholic 26, Don Bosco Prep 21

Lee County (Ga.) at Thomas County Central (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas County Stadium, Thomasville, Ga.

There’s no denying the scoring prowess the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets (5-0) pose to any opponent on Friday nights as they are averaging a ridiculous 59 points per game. That’s a staggering amount for any upcoming opponent to see, but of the last two teams to hold Thomas County Central to under 30 points in the last two seasons, Lee County (3-1) is one of them. Actually, the Trojans were able to defeat the Yellow Jackets, 35-23, in 2024 and look to hand Thomas County Central its first loss of the season once again.

Massey Prediction: Thomas County Central 42, Lee County 20

Monsignor Farrell (N.Y.) at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7 p.m. ET
Where: James C. Metzger Stadium, Melville, N.Y.

Staten Island versus Long Island. When St. Anthony’s (2-2) and Monsignor Farrell (3-1) meet on Friday night, it’ll be a matchup between the top two teams in New York. Meeting on Long Island, the Friars and Lions are both inside the Top 5 of the latest New York high school football rankings. Leading the St. Anthony’s offense is junior running back Xavier Bala, who has rushed for well over 330 yards this season and he will be countered by Monsignor Farrell tailback Kevin Gumb Jr. (494 yards, eight touchdowns).

Massey Prediction: St. Anthony’s 31, Monsignor Farrell 21

Valdosta (Ga.) at Camden County (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Chris Gilman Stadium, Kingsland, Georgia

This is the second South Georgia game to make our top clashes from around the country, but this one was too good to pass up in the Battle of the Wildcats. When it comes to both Valdosta (5-0) and Camden County (5-0), these are a couple of the region’s most storied teams and they both enter the contest undefeated and with plenty to gain with a victory. Valdosta features one of the top secondaries in the state, with Jalon Copeland (Arkansas commit) and Camron Brown (Mississippi State commit) patrolling the back end. The two will be challenged by a high-powered passing attack, led by junior quarterback William Jackson (855 yards, 14 touchdowns) and four-star wide receiver Sean Green (19 catches, 289 yards).

Massey Prediction: Valdosta 41, Camden County 28

Waxahachie (TX) at DeSoto (TX)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Eagle Stadium, DeSoto, TX

Don’t write off the DeSoto Eagles (2-2) just yet as they have an opportunity to pull off what could be a turning point in the season against the Waxahachie Indians (4-0) this week. The Eagles are coming off an impressive last couple of weeks in which they’ve out-scored their opponents 144-7. They’ll need to keep that going against a Waxahachie team riding a high after upending Duncanville last week to catapult the Indians into the national conversation. Which team can prove they’ve among the elites in Texas high school football will be decided on Friday night.

Massey Prediction: DeSoto 41, Waxahachie 22

Baylor School (Tenn.) at Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Montgomery Bell Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

It’s hard to ignore the level of play the Baylor School (5-0) has been playing at this season, running through any team that has come in their path. The Red Raiders take on a Montgomery Bell Academy team that’s also undefeated and has been playing pretty well themselves. When the two programs faced off last season it would be the Baylor School getting the upper hand, coming away with a 32-21 win. A week before Baylor School takes on No. 1 McCallie School in Chattanooga, we think this one is a must win for the Red Raiders in order to make things more interesting on Oct. 3.

Massey Prediction: Baylor School 42, Montgomery Bell Academy 14

No. 3 IMG Academy (Fla.) at Phenix City Central (Ala.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Garrett–Harrison Stadium, Phenix City, Ala.

IMG Academy has seemingly played everywhere but in Bradenton and that continues this week for the Ascenders when they visit Phenix City, Ala. Head coach Greg Studrawa has this IMG Academy team playing very balanced offense football behind the right arm of sophomore sensation Jayden Wade (399 yards, seven touchdowns) and Lekhy Thompkins (447 yards, seven touchdowns) at running back. The Ascenders take on a Red Devils team that features quarterback Bobby Coleman, who has thrown for 1,140 yards and 13 touchdowns this season.

Massey Prediction: IMG Academy 44, Phenix City Central 24

Corner Canyon (Utah) at Skyridge (Utah)

When: Friday, September 26, 10 p.m. ET
Where: The Nest, Lehi, Utah

Could Corner Canyon be on upset alert again this week against Skyridge? If the Chargers (5-1) look to get back on track, they’ll need senior four-star quarterback Helaman Casuga (Texas A&M commit) to lead the way on Friday night. Casuga this season has thrown for 1,675 yards and 18 touchdowns this fall. The Falcons (5-1) counter with their own threat behind center in three-star Kaneal Sweetwyne, who has been terrific throwing the rock. Sweetwyne has thrown for 1,839 yards and 23 touchdowns for Skyridge. Expect a shootout between these two teams in Lehi.

Massey Prediction: Corner Canyon 42, Skyridge 35

Liberty (Ariz.) at Pinnacle (Ariz.)

When: Friday, September 26, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Pinnacle Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz.

The best high school football matchup in the Grand Canyon States takes place in Phoenix when
Liberty (3-1) and Pinnacle (4-0) square off. The Lions will need players like Boise State commit Paz St. John (10 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Minnesota pledge Hudson Dunn (19 tackles, seven for loss) to lead the charge for the Lions’ defense if they look to upend an undefeated Pinnacle club on Friday night. The Pioneers’ offense hopes to remain undefeated behind the play of quarterback Drew Varsano, who has thrown for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Massey Prediction: Liberty 42, Pinnacle 20

No. 6 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) at No. 17 Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.)

When: Saturday, Sep. 26 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Saddleback College Stadium, Mission Viejo, Calif.

For the second straight week, Bishop Gorman (4-1) is a participant in the best game out of the entire country on Saturday night. The Gaels will head west into California to take on the No. 17 ranked Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles in a contest that could be another barn burner. Bishop Gorman’s offense has been playing well behind the play of Hawaii quarterback commit Maika Eugenio, who has completed 77 percent of his passes for 1,339 yards, 16 touchdowns and thrown just two interceptions. Former NFL Pro Bowler Carson Palmer has done a fine job in his first season at the helm of his alma mater and looks to lead his Eagles to what would be a second signature win, the other being a 33-27 overtime victory over Corona Centennial.

Massey Prediction: Bishop Gorman 38, Santa Margarita 14

How to Follow National High School Football

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.