National High School Football Predictions - Aug. 14-16

It’s gameday across America. Five high school football games stand out to us this week, spanning from Florida all the way to the Hawaiian Islands. Earlier this week, we shared predictions based on the Massey Ratings for the five biggest games of the weekend. Today, Rivals national high school sports reporter Andy Villamarzo makes his picks:.

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

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

You better have a good excuse to not be either attending this one in-person or watching it on ESPN2. If you want all of the storylines piled into one game, this one takes the cake. Both teams have had this game circled for months and now get the chance to make an early-season statement on a national stage. Buford looked sharp in its preseason scrimmage last week and Milton looks to be coming together. With so much hype surrounding a high school football game, can this seemingly cinematic event provide a climatic conclusion?

Prediction: Buford 31, Milton 17

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

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

Kickoff classic or not, both teams be lying to you if they said this was just another ho-hum game. That is simply not the case. IMG Academy has distinguished itself as one of the most elite high school football programs in the country. Meanwhile, The First Academy is aspiring to become recognized as one as well. The easy route to doing so would be for the Royals to beat the Ascenders in a game that doesn’t count, but we just don’t see it going that way in Greg Studrawa‘s debut as IMG’s head coach.

Prediction: IMG Academy 29, The First Academy 13

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

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

If we’d say Milton-Buford is 1A when it comes to Georgia’s top high school football games, we’d have to list this one as 1B. This high school football game is just that good. Grayson comes in with plenty of motivation, looking to avenge their only loss from a year ago. With a chance to waltz into Fahring Field and upend the Collins Hill in its home opener, we don’t see the Rams missing the opportunity to start off 1-0.

Prediction: Grayson 20, Collins Hill 14

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

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

We know Mack Tharpe Stadium is no easy place for visitors to play a high school football game. Having been to the stadium before, people come out in droves to catch their Friday night lights. Enter the Cadets, featuring a pair of Texas Tech commits, senior quarterback Stephen Cannon and junior five-star edge rusher LaDamion Guyton. It won’t be easy for Benedictine to slow down the Colquitt County rushing attack, but we think this Cadets’ team is more than capable to step up to the challenge.

Prediction: Benedictine Military School 35, Colquitt County 28

Kahuku (Hawaii) vs. Kamehameha Kapalama (Hawaii)

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

When the final horn sounded and the Kahuku Red Raiders walked off the field after a loss to St. Louis, they had to be irritated by what they saw on the scoreboard. Zero points. Nada. Zilch. Nothing. To think the Red Raiders are just going to let that go seems a bit unlikely, and we see them bouncing back with four offensive touchdowns and win No. 1 this week.

Prediction: Kahuku 27, Kamehameha Kapalama 14