National High School Football Predictions: Sep. 4-6

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:

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

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

Forget about the fact that Central Catholic is winless and focus more on that the Fighting Irish have themselves a pretty good football team. Both of these teams match up fairly well heading into this one and the Massey Ratings agree, projecting a narrow 27-26 victory for the boys out of Toledo, Ohio. Michigan State commit Samson Gash will need to be a difference maker out of the backfield for Detroit Catholic Central if they are to go on the road and win this one. With the Fighting Irish needing a win after a 0-2 start, we see this going Central Catholic’s way, barely, after being snakebitten the first couple of weeks.

Prediction: Central Catholic 23, Detroit Catholic Central 20

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

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

Having a player of Faizon Brandon‘s caliber on your side if you’re Grimsley, certainly tips the scales in your favor heading into any matchup. The Whirlies have shown little signs of their offense being any problem against top flight competition in North Carolina, even with freshman Brody Lowe seeing time behind center for Grimsley. East Forsyth has played very well through their first two games, defeating Glenn and Northern Guilford by multiple touchdowns. It won’t take much for nationally ranked Grimsley to get up for this tilt in the Tar Heel State.

Prediction: Grimsley 34, East Forsyth 17

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

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

Should we have Duncanville on some kind of upset watch this week? With South Oak Cliff surprising folks in the Lone Star State with a 41-31 win over North Shore last week, the Golden Bears and now setting their sights on attempting to pull off another stunner against the state’s top-ranked Panthers. There’s reason to believe Texas’ top teams are not safe from upsets as North Crowley had a scare against Lancaster as well in addition to North Shore falling. The post-Keelon Russell begins on Friday night for Duncanville and the Panthers will have a chance to show folks where they are at offensively.

Prediction: Duncanville 26, South Oak Cliff 24

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

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

We just aforementioned North Crowley’s close call against Lancaster last week and despite DeSoto getting throttled by Creekside (Ga.) in their opener, 70-28, we have to believe that’s some kind of admiration for the Eagles. Now the Panthers head into the contest looking to continue to find their way offensively, as they play musical chairs at the quarterback position. North Crowley’s defense is as good as they come in the state and they’ll be up against a DeSoto offense that struggled mightily at times to move the football in Georgia.

Prediction: North Crowley 30, DeSoto 27

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.

When you take into the fact that Chaminade-Madonna will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator after Toro Wallace, the architect of several of the Lions’ top offenses from 2021-24, stepped down from his position this week, it makes things more interesting. The Lions will look to rely on their ground attack, led by Texas commit Derrek Cooper and quarterbacks Malik Leonard, Tyler Chance could both see time behind center. Flipping to the American Heritage side, quarterback Dia Bell (Texas commit) and running back Jonathan Bueno were masterful in the team’s comeback win over St. Joseph’s Prep School at the Broward County Classic. We think the Patriots continuity wise should edge out the Lions on Friday night.

Prediction: American Heritage 28, Chaminade-Madonna 21

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.

We don’t go upset special much, but in this one, West Boca Raton has their chance on a national high school football stage to do something special against nationally ranked Bergen Catholic of New Jersey. The Bulls are the defending Florida Class 6A state champions and they had an appetizer last week when they cruised past Palm Beach Central, 50-7. We can’t help but see this game as a strength versus strength, as West Boca Raton has a stout front seven unit up against Bergen Catholic’s run-heavy attack, led by three-star tailback Najee Calhoun. The Crusaders, who edged out East St. Louis (Ill.) 22-21 at the Battle at the Beach Classic, will need quarterback Trey Tagliaferri (154 yards last week) to make plays if Bergen Catholic is to leave South Florida with a win.

Prediction: West Boca Raton 21, Bergen Catholic 16

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

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

Alabama has a lot of great games on tap this week, but none better than Hewitt-Trussville (2-0) and Vestavia Hills facing off on Friday night. The Rebels are off to a hot start with 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. Hewitt-Trussville’s offense has outscored opponents by a staggering 110-7 in their first two games, with the team having amassed already well over 1,000 all-purpose yards. This one will come down to the final possession.

Prediction: Vestavia Hills 31, Hewitt-Trussville 29

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

There’s really no better game on the national high school football slate this week than when the second-ranked St. Frances Academy Panthers travel out of Baltimore to face the Braves of Bellflower. Getting an up close look at both teams, physicality will be on full display as both teams will look to control the line of scrimmage early on. Whomever does so, ultimately will win this game because of St. Frances Academy’s reliance on their ground game. The Panthers are a run-heavy team, led by Virginia commit Jae’Oyn Williams behind center operating the offensive attack. St. John Bosco sophomore quarterback Koa Malau’ulu has been impressive through two contests, completing 16 of 23 passes for 258 yards and six touchdowns. We want to say St. John Bosco defends home turf, but St. Frances Academy has already proven they don’t care where they’re playing at.

Prediction: St. Frances Academy 24, St. John Bosco 18

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

This game could either have 80 points combined scored or be one that has less than 14. Folsom‘s offense be the most entertaining offense in California so far, led by BYU commit Ryder Lyons. The senior signal caller has totaled 876 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. The Bulldogs will face a No. 12 ranked Mission Viejo team that’s been plenty battle-tested already, having beat No. 17 Santa Margarita Catholic 7-3 in a defensive slugfest to start the season. This is another national matchup that pits strength versus strength to see if Folsom’s offense remains sizzling against Mission Viejo’s stifling defense.

Prediction: Mission Viejo 17, Folsom 14

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

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

Now listen, we really like this game for a number of reasons. Interstate games are always of major interest for those nationally as they bring out a unknown each and every time out. For California, they’re done pretty well so far when going up against other states. Orange Lutheran has started the season with impressive wins over Sunshine State power Miami Nortwestern (Fla.), Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) to go to 2-0. Arizona’s No. 1 Basha started their season off with a bang as they crushed Brophy College Prep in 42-6 rout. The Lancers have faced a very talented offensive unit in Miami Northwestern and held them to 13 points. We just don’t see many teams around the nation scoring a boatload of points on Orange Lutheran.

Prediction: Orange Lutheran 19, Basha 8

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.