National High School Football Predictions: Oct. 2-4

Earlier this week, we shared game predictions based on the Massey Ratings for the 10 biggest high school football games of the weekend. Today, Rivals national high school sports reporter Andy Villamarzo makes his picks:

Lone Peak (Utah) at Skyridge (Utah)

When: Thursday, Oct. 2, 10 p.m. ET
Where: The Nest, Lehi, Utah

Lone Peak were coming off a program-high when they defeated then-nationally ranked Corner Canyon a couple weeks ago. The Knights then had a setback last week when they lost to American Fork, 31-28. Skyridge themselves are coming off a 49-14 loss to Corner Canyon. The Falcons (5-2) features three-star quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne, who has been terrific throwing the rock this fall. Sweetwyne has been terrific tossing the rock this season for Skyridge, going for 1,973 yards and 23 touchdowns. We see a lot of scoring in this one, but Lone Peak will bounce back with the dub.

Prediction: Lone Peak 53, Skyridge 34

No. 25 Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) at DePaul Catholic (N.J.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Alumni Field, Wayne, N.J.

There’s no way that Don Bosco Prep (4-0) could be caught sleepwalking after one of the biggest wins in recent memory, right? The Ironmen look to keep the good vibes going as they take to the road to face a very good DePaul Catholic (4-1) group, led by Washington commit Derek Zammit. Both teams are among the top 10 when it comes to the state of New Jersey and the Ironmen will look to be showing people that the win over Bergen Catholic wasn’t a one-time deal.

Prediction: Don Bosco Prep 23, DePaul Catholic 13

Varina (Va.) at No. 21 Grimsley (N.C.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Jamieson Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina

Grimsley (5-0) has won 21 consecutive games and will look to make it 22 in a row this week when they face Varina (4-1) out of Virginia. The Whirlies have out-scored their last two opponents by a combined score of 131-6 and don’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Varina (4-1) heads in with a potent rushing attack led by West Virginia commit SirPaul Cheeks and Hampton pledge Michael Farley out of the backfield. One thing both teams know how to do is score, but we see Grimsley’s defense rising to the occasion in Greensboro on Friday night.

Prediction: Grimsley 42, Varina 20

No. 2 IMG Academy (Fla.) at Venice (Fla.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Powell Davis Stadium, Venice, Fla.

IMG Academy has been the best and most consistent high school football team out of the Sunshine State and it hasn’t been close. Sophomore sensation Jayden Wade, who went 11-of-11 for 350 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 49-14 win over Phenix City Central (Ala.), is playing at an extremely high level at this point of the season. Wade will be countered by Venice quarterback, Howard commit Darryon Jones (446 yards, three touchdowns), who has looked solid in his first few outings for the Indians. This game was only decided by a touchdown a season ago, but something tells us the gap will be much wider this time around between the two Florida South Suncoast powers.

Prediction: IMG Academy 49, Venice 16

Baylor School (Tenn.) at McCallie School (Tenn.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3 at 7:45 p.m. ET
Where: Hatch Stadium, Chattanooga, Tennessee

A game so good, there’s a viral music video going out about it. When it comes to the best of the best in Tennessee high school football, both Baylor School (6-0) and McCallie School (5-1) are as good as it gets out of the Volunteer State. The Red Raiders and Blue Tornadoes faced off twice in 2024, with the former winning the first round and the latter winning the second and most important in a state championship game. Baylor rolls out Louisville four-star quarterback commit Briggs Cherry, who guides an offense that’s averaging 45 points per game. McCallie’s defense has proven to be one of the best in the state, only giving up 13.3 points per contest. Something has to give between these two budding Tennessee rivals when they clash in the Music City Friday night.

Prediction: Baylor School 28, McCallie School 27

Thompson (Ala.) at Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Warrior Stadium, Alabaster, Ala.

Thompson Warriors (3-2) is coming off an upset loss to Clay-Chalkville last week and aims to bounce back at home when they take on undefeated Hewitt-Trussville Huskies (5-0). Alabama’s defending Class 7A state champions have one of the top quarterbacks in the state in junior Trent Seaborn, who has been the steady hand behind center for the Warriors. Seaborn has thrown for over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns this 2025 season. The Huskies on the other hand are looking to avenge last season’s 15-10 loss to the Warriors and be the next Alabama team to pull off a upset. We just can’t see this happening in back-to-back weeks for the Warriors, right?

Prediction: Thompson 17, Hewitt-Trussville 13

St. Augustine (La.) at No. 11 Edna Karr (La.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Morris F.X. Jeff Stadium, New Orleans, La.

Edna Karr (4-0) has yet to really be challenged thus far other than when Plantation American Heritage visited NOLA, with the Cougars coming away with a 24-17 win. The Cougars (4-0) will face their toughest in-state test to date when they take on an also undefeated St. Augustine squad. Both teams have shown the ability to score the football at will, with each club averaging well over 40 points per game. What will be the difference maker is the Cougars’ defense, led by a couple of LSU commitments in defensive tackle Richard Anderson and safety Aiden Hall.

Prediction: Edna Karr 45, St. Augustine 28

Brother Rice (Ill.) at Chicago Mount Carmel (Ill.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Barda-Dowling Stadium, Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is going to be filled with some solid high school football matchups on Friday night, with Brother Rice-Chicago Mount Carmel being the best of ’em all. Chicago Mount Carmel has proven they are on a roll, winning their last four games by a minimum of 19 points. Brother Rice is also playing some of their best football of the season, coming away victorious by no less than 18 points this season. When it comes to Illinois high school football, there’s no better game on tap than this and we give the edge to the Caravan in this one, however.

Prediction: Mount Carmel 40, Brother Rice 30

No. 23 De La Salle (Calif.) at Cathedral Catholic (Calif.)

When: Friday, Oct. 3, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Manchester Stadium, San Diego, Ca.

No. 23 nationally ranked De La Salle (5-0) has enjoyed an undefeated, but has been in a few tight ball games and they will head down to Southern Cal to face off against the state’s No. 11 ranked Cathedral Catholic (5-0). The Dons’ defense will focus on stopping De La Salle junior running back Duece Jones-Drew (341 yards, six touchdowns), son of former NFL’er Maurice Jones Drew. Cathedral Catholic’s offense is a balanced attack, led by Cal quarterback commit Brady Palmer, who has thrown for 885 yards and nine touchdowns this season. With a long travel down from Northern Cali and a lot going well for the Dons, we’ve got them pulling off the minor upset at home.

Prediction: Cathedral Catholic 24, De La Salle 21

Miami Central (Fla.) at Miami Northwestern (Fla.)

When: Saturday, Oct. 4 at 4:30 p.m. ET
Where: Traz Powell Stadium, Miami, Fla.

Rounding out our national high school football predictions is the battle down at Traz Powell Stadium between the Bulls and Rockets. Last year’s meeting was a victory for Miami Central (3-0) until the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) came down with sanctions for the Rockets, which included forfeiture of the game, awarding the win to the Bulls. This season has been a bounce back year for the Rockets under first-year head coach Derrick Gibson, who heads into the game with a viable Class 3A state title contending squad. Miami Northwestern (4-1) hasn’t played since a Sep. 19 victory over Columbus because of last week’s forfeiture by Miami Jackson. Weather could be a concern for the teams are inclement weather is expected on Saturday in Miami.

Prediction: Miami Northwestern 35, Miami Central 28

How to Follow National High School Football

For national 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.