National High School Football Games of the Week: Sep. 4-6

We are so back, high school football fans.

Another exciting weekend as the national high school football season took place across the country last week and now we prepare for more. From coast to coast, top teams will battle for supremacy under the Friday night lights. This week’s schedule is another one packed with must-watch matchups, featuring talent-laden teams from powerhouse programs and games with future college stars on full display. Here’s a look at the 10 biggest national high school football games you won’t want to miss from Sep. 4-6.

Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.) at Central Catholic (Ohio)

When: Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Gallagher Stadium, Toledo, Ohio

We start our list over in the Great Lakes region of the country when the best of Michigan and best of Ohio clash at Gallagher Stadium. For the Fighting Irish of Toledo, it’s been back-to-back heartbreaking losses, losing by three to Walsh Jesuit and by a point to Cass Tech. No team has been more snakebitten than Central Catholic (Ohio), but they hope to change their losing ways when they face  Detroit Catholic Central. The Shamrocks on the other end of the spectrum looked solid in their season debut, defeating Chippewa Valley 41-7.

Massey prediction: Central Catholic 27, Detroit Catholic Central 26

East Forsyth (N.C.) at No. 21 Grimsley (N.C.)

When: Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Jamieson Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina’s top team in Grimsley has won 18th straight and look to add to their longstanding win streak when they welcome East Forsyth into Greensboro. The Whirlies have won their first two games behind solid play behind center from freshman quarterback Brody Lowe (344 yards, two touchdowns). The defending North Carolina Class 4A state champions take on East Forsyth, which is coming off a 33-10 win against Northern Guilford. If the Eagles are to pull off the upset, they will need senior quarterback JD Fulp (368 yards, six touchdowns) to continue his strong play on offense.

Massey prediction: Grimsley 35, East Forsyth 20

South Oak Cliff (Texas) at No. 7 Duncanville (Texas)

When: Friday, Sep. 5 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Panther Stadium, Duncanville, Texas

South Oak Cliff is a team not many in the Lone Star State want to face, especially after they upset North Shore in a 41-31 decision. The Golden Bears will take on the top-ranked team in the state in Duncanville, which could be a lot more interesting of a game than many might give this credit for. Duncanville had a bye week in Week 1 and will show folks a new look offense as they look to replace Alabama freshman Keelon Russell behind center. South Oak Cliff’s offensive line is led by a pair of Power Four recruits in senior three-star Cortavious Tisaby (Arizona State commit) and junior four-star Brian Swanson. The two senior bulldozers paved the way for the Golden Bears to rush for over 300 yards on the ground and a couple touchdowns in the win last week over the Mustangs.

Massey Prediction: Duncanville 45, South Oak Cliff 14

DeSoto (Texas) vs. No. 9 North Crowley (Texas)

When: Friday, Sep. 5 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas

If there’s a team in the state of Texas that seemingly has the most to prove this week, it’s the DeSoto Eagles when they head to Forth Worth to take on the defending Class 6A, Division I state champions. The Panthers began their title defense last week against a solid Lancaster club last week at home, narrowly coming away with a 22-18 victory. North Crowley will need to bring plenty of motivation into this week’s matchup against a DeSoto team reeling from a 70-28 dismantling by Creekside (Ga.) over the weekend. The 2024 edition of this game was an offensive firework show as the Panthers and Eagles combined to score 108 points, with the former coming away victorious, 57-51.

Massey Prediction: North Crowley 42, DeSoto 35

Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) at No. 16 American Heritage (Fla.)

When: Friday, Sep. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Heritage Field, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

This game became a lot more interesting when news broke Tuesday afternoon that Chaminade-Madonna offensive coordinator Toro Wallace, the architect of several of the Lions’ top offenses from 2021-24, had stepped down from his position. That dynamic added in has made this game a lot more interesting to see how Chaminade-Madonna gets after it on the offensive side of things. American Heritage enjoyed a bye week off after their thrilling Week 1 win over St. Joseph’s Prep School (Pa.) at the Broward County Classic. Spectators on the dais are sure to see plenty of big plays from a pair of Texas commits in Chaminade running back Derrek Cooper and American Heritage quarterback Dia Bell.

Massey Prediction: American Heritage 33, Chaminde-Madonna 28

No. 10 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at West Boca Raton (Fla.)

When: Friday, Sep. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: West Boca Raton Community High School Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.

West Boca Raton has been patiently waiting to show the country what they can do on a national high school football stage when they welcome nationally ranked Bergen Catholic of New Jersey into Palm Beach County. The defending Florida Class 6A state champions kicked off their season last week with a 50-7 dismantling of Palm Beach Central. The Crusaders, who edged out East St. Louis (Ill.) 22-21 at the Battle at the Beach Classic, will lean on their run game led by three-star tailback Najee Calhoun. The Bulls counter with Miami commit Javian Mallory, who made his regular season return for the Bulls last week and rushed for 119 yards on just a mere eight carries.

Massey Prediction: Bergen Catholic 35, West Boca Raton 7

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) vs. Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.)

When: Friday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Hewit-Trussville Stadium, Trussville, Ala.

The Yellowhammer State has some really good games on tap this week, but none can stand tall to the one between Hewitt-Trussville (2-0) and Vestavia Hills facing off on Friday night. The Rebels have proven themselves to looking like one of Alabama’s top teams after notching a pair of blowout victories over Westside (S.C.) 49-7 and then over state power Auburn, 42-12, last week. Vestavia Hills has relied on a run-heavy attack that’s totaled well over 200 yards this season. Not to be out-done, Hewitt-Trussville has outscored opponents by a staggering 110-7 in their first two games.

Massey Prediction: Hewitt-Trussville 32, Vestavia Hills 28

No. 2 St. Frances Academy (Md.) at No. 4 St. John Bosco (Calif.)

When: Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. PT
Where: St. John Bosco Stadium, Bellflower, California

Is there a better game on the national high school football slate than this one? We don’t think so when the second-ranked St. Frances Academy Panthers travel out of Baltimore and cross country to face the Braves of Bellflower. For what each team has already shown folks, this one could come down to who has the ball last kind of game. The Panthers are a run-heavy team, led by Virginia commit Jae’Oyn Williams behind center operating the offense. Williams will be countered by sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, who has been impressive through two contests, completing 16 of 23 passes for 258 yards and six scores. 

Massey prediction: St. Frances Academy 28, St. John Bosco 20

Folsom (Calif.) at No. 12 Mission Viejo (Calif.)

When: Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. PT
Where: Mission Viejo High School Football Stadium, Mission Viejo, California

Folsom might have one of the most entertaining offenses in the land, led by BYU commit Ryder Lyons, and they will play on the road again, taking No. 12 ranked Mission Viejo. Looking deeper into the numbers, Lyons has been about as good as it gets behind center for any team in the country, with the senior signal caller totaling 876 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. The Bulldogs will face a Diablos team that’s been plenty battle-tested already, having beat No. 17 Santa Margarita Catholic 7-3 to start the season. This is battle of strength versus strength to see will Folsom’s offense remain red hot against Mission Viejo’s stifling defense.

Massey prediction: Mission Viejo 37, Folsom 27

Orange Lutheran (Calif.) at Basha (Ariz.)

When: Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. PT
Where: Jim Wall Stadium, Chandler, Arizona

Looking at the totality when it comes to the early body of work by both of these programs, it figures to be a good one. Orange Lutheran, one of the top ranked teams out of California, will travel out to the desert to face Arizona’s top-ranked Basha in a West Coast showdown. The Lancers have started the season with wins over Miami Nortwestern (Fla.), Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) to go to 2-0. Basha started their season off with a bang as they dismantled Brophy College Prep 42-6 last week.

Massey prediction: Basha 28, Orange Lutheran 24

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 National 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 National High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.