National High School Football Predictions: Sep. 11-13

Earlier this week, we shared 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:

McCallie School (Tenn.) vs. Ensworth (Tenn.)

When: Friday, September 12, 4 p.m. ET
Where: Hatch Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee’s now No. 1 ranked team in McCallie School (3-0) makes their way to Nashville and will have their hands full against the Ensworth Tigers (2-1). Last season’s meeting with Ensworth occurred in the Tennessee playoffs, with the Blue Tornado rolling by the Tigers in a 31-7 rout. With McCallie School currently on a roll, out-scoring opponents 132-28, we don’t see much changing on Friday night against Ensworth.

Prediction: McCallie 35, Ensworth 8

No. 12 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at Winslow Township (N.J.)

When: Friday, September 12, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Albion Park, Winslow Township, New Jersey

There’s no hotter ticket in the state of New Jersey when the No. 12 Bergen Catholic Crusaders (2-0) take on the Winslow Township Eagles (1-1) down in South Jersey. Ignore Winslow’s one loss to IMG Academy back at the Battle at the Beach Classic because they played competitively against one of the top programs in the country. We just don’t see this game getting out of hand by any means, but have to give the Crusaders the edge in this private versus public matchup.

Prediction: Bergen Catholic 28, Winslow Township 27

No. 22 East St. Louis (Ill.) at No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Nev.)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Fertitta Field, Las Vegas, Nevada

Bishop Gorman Gaels (3-0) are coming off a rule-shortened win over Utah’s Lone Peak, defeating the Knights 35-14 with still nearly two quarters of play to go. The Gaels’ offense has been tough to slow down with the way Hawaii quarterback commit Maika Eugenio (836 yards, 11 touchdowns) has been playing this fall. The East St. Louis Flyers (0-1) didn’t get to played Gadsden County (Fla.) due to a cancelation of the game. It might’ve been an extra week to prepare, but nothing can simulate playing the second-ranked team in the country on essentially a bye week.

Prediction: Bishop Gorman 34, East St. Louis 17

Carrollton (Ga.) at Gainesville (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 12, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Bobby Gruhn Field at City Park Stadium, Gainesville, Georgia

Could this be when Josh Niblett and the Gainesville Red Elephants (3-0) put their stamp on being one of Georgia’s elites in high school football? Clemson commit Kharim Hughley has been playing like one of the state’s best quarterbacks this season, with the junior completing 12 of 16 passes for 196 yards and accounting for four touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Moody (Ala.). Carrollton (4-0) starts freshman CJ Cypher behind center and looks to win their fifth straight to start the season on the road.

Prediction: Gainesville 35, Carrollton 31

No. 23 Southlake Carroll (Texas) at Byron Nelson (Texas)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: NISD Stadium, Trophy Club, Texas

Southlake Carroll’s (2-0) offense is as good as advertised behind the play of Pittsburgh commit Angelo Renda (597 yards, five touchdowns) and his favorite target, Ohio State pledge Brock Boyd, who has hauled in 11 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns this season. The Renda-Boyd tandem has remained the state’s top quarterback-wide receiver combination. Byron Nelson (1-1) is still stinging after losing to Lewisville, 38-21, last week. We think it’s all Dragons in this one as they roll to a third consecutive win.

Prediction: Southlake Carroll 49, Byron Nelson 21

Port Charlotte (Fla.) at Venice (Fla.)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Powell Davis Stadium, Venice, Fla.

Two offenses that can score a boatload of points when at the top of their games may be regulated to more of a low-scoring affair compared to last year’s meeting. Last year’s clash was a doozy, with the Indians just barely edging out the Pirates in a 49-41 thriller. Perhaps the most notable development heading into this contest is the status of the starting quarterback job for Venice (1-1), as Howard commit Darryon Jones just transferred in and will be eligible to play Friday night against the Pirates. Port Charlotte (3-0) features one of Florida’s top junior passers in three-star Logan Flaherty, who has thrown for 479 yards and 12 touchdowns this season.

Prediction: Venice 22, Port Charlotte 21

Douglas County (Ga.) at No. 8 Buford (Ga.)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Phillip Beard Stadium, Buford, Georgia

This Buford Wolves team is for real and could be the favorites to win it all in Georgia’s Class 6A this fall. The Wolves (3-0) got a strong performance offensively from Nebraska commitment Dayton Raiola last week, who threw for 209 yards and four touchdowns in a 65-21 win over Roswell. The Douglas County Tigers (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season last week when they dropped a surprising 44-31 result to Langston Hughes. What looked looked like a possibly more exciting matchup a week ago turned a little bit sour when the Tigers lost last week. Buford picks up their fourth win and hands Douglas County its second loss.

Prediction: Buford 35, Douglas County 24

No. 16 American Heritage (Fla.) at No. 25 Edna Karr (La.)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

There’s underlying variables with this game as American Heritage (1-1) last week was enjoying a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter of last week’s game against Chaminade-Madonna before going scoreless in the final period. How the offense operates is a question mark for the Patriots as they face the state of Louisiana’s top high school football team in Edna Karr. The Cougars (1-0) opened up the season with a 35-0 rout of Archbishop Shaw.

Prediction: Edna Karr 42, American Heritage 14

No. 1 Mater Dei (Calif.) at No. 16 Corona Centennial (Calif.)

When: Friday, Sep. 12 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Husky Stadium, Corona, California

The No. 1 ranked Mater Dei Monarchs (2-0) had themselves a close call in last week’s 21-18 win over Kahuku (Hawaii) at home. For Mater Dei, they’ll look to get themselves back on track against the No. 16 Corona Centennial (2-1). The Huskies are fresh off a 42-6 rout of Bingham (Utah) last week and look to keep their offense rolling against one of the top defenses in all of California. The deciding factor here in making a pick is what is one buying stock on: Mater Dei being more like the team in the first half in the win versus St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) or more like the team that’s been playing the last six quarters?

Prediction: Mater Dei 27, Corona Centennial 19

No. 6 St. Frances Academy (Md.) at St. Joseph’s Prep School (Penn.)

When: Saturday, September 13, 7 p.m. PT
Where: Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The sixth-ranked St. Frances Academy Panthers head into the City of Brotherly Love against the winless St. Joseph’s Prep School Hawks. The Panthers (1-1) are coming off a heartbreaking 21-14 loss to No. 2 ranked St. John Bosco (Calif.) out in Bellflower, and return to the East Coast looking to take out their frustrations on the Hawks (0-2). St. Joseph’s Prep has had troubles offensively the last six quarters, only able to muster up a total of 24 points. It could be a long night for the Hawks back in the friendly confines of home if they can’t figure it out.

Prediction: St. Frances Academy 49, St. Joseph’s Prep School 17

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.