National High School Football Predictions: Sep. 18-20

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:

No. 17 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at No. 25 Orange Lutheran (Calif.)

When: Tonight, Sep. 18, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Montell Field, Orange, Calif.

In this matchup, both teams come nationally recognized with No. 14 ranked Sierra Canyon Trailblazers (4-0) and No. 25 Orange Lutheran (3-1) squaring off. Make no mistake, this game comes with major national implications. Last time Orange Lutheran faced off against a nationally ranked Basha and the Lancers ended up falling, 30-24. The Lancers (3-1) ended up bouncing back with a 35-14 win over Junipero Serra. It would be no surprise that this game could go either way and could come down to who has the ball last in this one.

Prediction: Orange Lutheran 28, Sierra Canyon 24

Central Catholic (Mass.) at St. John’s Preparatory School (Mass.)

When: Friday, September 19, 6 p.m. ET
Where: Cronin Stadium, Danvers, Massachusetts

Yes, we are dipping our proverbial toes into the New England high school football world when it comes to the Game of the Week and now predictions. St. John’s Preparatory School (2-0) boasts one of the top Class of 2028 signal callers in the country in Christopher Vargas. Central Catholic (1-1) bounced back from a season opening loss to Archbishop Stepanic with a 28-7 throttling of Boston College High last week. When it comes to ball up in Massachusetts, this is a goody but we see this going the way of Vargas and the Eagles.

Prediction: St. John’s Preparatory School 34, Central Catholic 18

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) at No. 18 Thompson (Ala.)

When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Warrior Stadium, Alabaster, Ala.

The country’s No. 23 ranked Thompson (3-1) will looked record a third straight shutout when they take on Vestavia Hills (3-1). Thompson junior quarterback Trent Seaborn has already thrown for 974 yards and nine touchdowns this season in leading a team that’s out-scored opponents 110-0 the last two weeks. The Warriors boast one of the top defensive lines in the Southeast, featuring senior UNC defensive lineman commit Viliami Moala, who pairs up with Oregon junior four-star commit Cam Pritchett. We just don’t see Alabama’s defending Class 7A state champions dropping a second game in the first half of the season at this time.

Prediction: Thompson 40, Vestavia Hills 21

Parker (Ala.) at Carrollton (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 19, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Grisham Stadium, Carrollton, Georgia

Could we be seeing the Carrollton Trojans (5-0) run the table this season and going 10-0? To do that, he Trojans will have to get by one of Alabama’s top teams Friday night in Parker. The Trojans have enjoyed solid play behind center post-Julian Lewis, now at Colorado, as freshman CJ Cypher (873 yards, nine TDs). What can’t be underscored is the play of senior running back Cameron Wood, who has rushed for 378 yards and scored 10 touchdowns this fall. Parker counters with one of the top defensive units in the Yellowhammer State, with Texas four-star commit Vodney Cleveland and Memphis cornerback pledge Johnny Moody. This Carrollton team is no admiration and will remain undefeated. Book it.

Prediction: Carrollton 27, Parker 20

Miami Central (Fla.) at American Heritage (Fla.)

When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Heritage Field, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Is there any situation more interesting than that of American Heritage’s quarterback room right now in high school football? Before the official news of five-star quarterback Dia Bell (Texas commit) being out for the rest of the season for American Heritage, the Patriots received what looks like a key transfer in quarterback Leon Strawder, who transferred in from Miami Northwestern recently. Strawderis no doubt a very suitable replacement for Bell, coming off leading the Bulls to last year’s Florida FHSAA Class 3A state championship. Miami Central is off to a red hot start under first-year head coach Derrick Gibson and Friday’s tilt is the first major matchup of the season for the Rockets. If you watched any of American Heritage’s 24-17 overtime loss to Edna Karr (La.), its that the Patriots offense was pretty good with Jeffar Jean-Noel at quarterback. Now potentially with Strawder starting for American Heritage, it can be that much better.

Prediction: American Heritage 38, Miami Central 28

Trinity (Texas) at No. 15 Southlake Carroll (Texas)

When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Dragon Stadium, Southlake, Texas

If you’re a Texas high school football fan and you have any doubts that Southlake Carroll (3-0) could be the best team in the Lone Star State, you may want to re-think those thoughts. The Dragons are led offensively by the duo of Pittsburgh commit Angelo Renda and his favorite target, Ohio State pledge Brock Boyd, who has hauled in 18 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns this season. Don’t sleep on Trinity (3-0) keeping this close as they feature a very talented defensive unit, led by junior four-star cornerback John Meredith. With all of that said, Southlake Carroll should roll in this contest to 4-0.

Prediction: Southlake Carroll 49, Trinity 24

Baylor School (Tenn.) at Christ Presbyterian Academy (Tenn.)

When: Friday, September 19, 8 p.m. ET
Where: The Den, Nashville, Tennessee

We are talking Baylor School (3-0) football, though it doesn’t involve anything regarding Peyton Manning’s eighth grade son, Marshall, however. The Red Raiders travel north into Nashville to take on Christ Presbyterian Academy. The current 1-3 record for Christ Presbyterian Academy is a bit deceiving as the Lions have played some of the region’s top high school football programs, with losses coming against Oakland, Tupelo (Mississippi) and Archbishop Moeller (Ohio). The Red Raiders boast a high-powered offense that features junior four-star running back David Gabriel Georges and senior quarterback Briggs Cherry (Louisville commit). We just don’t see Baylor School dropping their first game of the season as the Red Raiders hand CPA their fourth loss.

Prediction: Baylor School 32, Christ Presbyterian Academy 16

Cass Technical (Mich.) at Martin Luther King Jr. (Mich.)

When: Friday, September 19, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Martin Luther King High School Football Stadium, Detroit, Michigan

Cass Technical (3-0) is one of Michigan’s top ranked teams, led by a slew of future Power 4 talent on both sides of the ball, taking on a talented Martin Luther King Jr. (2-2). The Technicians’ offense is led by sophomore four-star quarterback Donald Tabron II, who has guided a Cass Tech offense that is averaging 43.3 points per game. The Crusaders will look to slow down Tabron II behind a strong secondary, led by Cincinnati commit Jaidon Windom. There’s no reason to believe the Technicians won’t remain undefeated and rolling to 4-0 by the end of Friday night in the Motor City.

Prediction: Cass Technical 36, Martin Luther King Jr. 20

St. Louis (Hawaii) at No. 1 St. John Bosco (Calif.)

When: Friday, September 19, 10 p.m. ET
Where: St. John Bosco Stadium, Bellflower, California

What makes this game more intriguing than it might’ve been at the beginning of the season is the fact that St. Louis gave Mater Dei (Calif.) everything they could want, only losing 21-18. St. John Bosco will look to sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu, who through four games has completed 30 of 50 passes for 537 yards, nine touchdowns, the Braves past a talented Crusaders squad. St. Louis is Hawaii’s top-ranked high school football program and their offense is as potent as any led by Cal commit Nainoa Lopes behind center. Though we don’t see an absolute blowout happening, we do feel St. John Bosco should we somewhat comfortably.

Prediction: St. John Bosco 41, St. Louis 20

No. 8 Mater Dei (Calif.) at No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Nevada)

When: Friday, Sep. 19 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Fertitta Field, Las Vegas, Nevada

Is there a game more interesting than this one in Sin City? No. 8 Mater Dei (3-1) travels into Las Vegas to face the undefeated No. 2 Bishop Gorman Gaels. The Monarchs were held to just one touchdown in the first half of their 43-36 loss to Corona Centennial, despite featuring an offense that boasts five-star tight end Mark Bowman (USC commit), five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State commit) and three-star quarterback Ryan Hopkins (Wisconsin). The Gaels’ offense has been playing is good as any unit in the country right now, behind the play of Hawaii quarterback commit Maika Eugenio, who has thrown for 1,044 yards, 14 touchdowns and just two mere picks. Could a win here by Bishop Gorman vault them to the top of next week’s Top 25 rankings? Or could Mater Dei bounce back and put themselves right back into the thick of the mythical national championship conversation? Either way, this game goes a long ways with how we view the national picture the rest of the 2025 season.

Prediction: Bishop Gorman 38, Mater Dei 35

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.