There is plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, including a stuffed schedule of Top 100 matchups. There are eleven games featuring two ranked opponents duking it out in what are set up to be some postseason classics.
Matching-up against No. 1 Mater Dei (California) is no easy feat, but No. 21 Mission Viejo (California) will take on that challenge Friday night in the CIF Southern Section Division I semifinals. The Diablos are coming-off a a hard fought win over Orange Lutheran (California) thanks to a breakout performance by Akili Arnold who rushed for 313 yards and had five touchdowns on the night. Finding that same success on offense this week should prove more difficult as they face a Monarchs squad that has been ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation almost all season. They proved why that is the case once again this past week when they upended Long Beach Poly and Florida quarterback commit Matt Corral in a 55-13 routing. These two teams have not faced each other since the 2015 playoffs, where Mater Dei took down Mission Viejo in the second round.
While the Diablos had to wait two years to get their rematch with the Monarchs, No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation) and No. 83 Cardinal Gibbons have waited just a month to face each other for the second time in a highly-anticipated showdown in south Florida. When the two met in October during the regular season, AH got the upper hand of a memorable battle, beating their division rival 23-19. Cardinal Gibbons will be eager to avenge that loss after last week’s 19-14 second round win over Rockledge. If the Chiefs pull off the upset this Friday, it will not only end Heritage’s 24-game win streak, but will also prevent the Patriots from earning their fourth state championship in five years.
Another rematch for the ages will be in the the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals where No. 9 Corona Centennial takes on No. 19 St. John Bosco in the CIF-SS Division 1 semifinals. This the fifth consecutive year these teams have faced each other in either the final or semifinal round of the postseason. Last year, Bosco scrapped out the 49-47 win in route to its 2016 state championship, but it was Corona who beat the Eagles in the title game the two years prior to earn two consecutive championships of its own. The postseason record between these two teams in the last four years stands at 2-2, setting things up for another must-see chapter of this rivalry. The winner gets the winner of Mater Dei and Mission Viejo.
Continuing to tackle ranked opponents on its path to the state championship is No. 11 Northwestern, which takes on No. 59 Carol City in the Class 6A state quarters. The Bulls jump up two spots in our rankings after finishing the second round with a win over the previously ranked No. 14 Miami Central. This week they’ll get another rematch against a district foe in the Chiefs, who have already suffered a 16-7 loss to the Bulls this year in a game that highlighted both team’s strong defenses. Although they were on the losing end of that game, Carol City is the defending state champion and is looking to get back at Northwestern.
In Nevada, we have repeat of last year’s Class 4A state championship. This year, No. 14 Bishop Gorman will face No. 64 Liberty in the state semifinals. While Liberty has had success making a deep run into the playoffs the past three years, it is Bishop Gorman that has ruined the Patriots’ championship hopes. In a lopsided rivalry that favors the Gaels, Gorman defeated the Patriots 84-8 in last year’s title game – a game that marked the team’s eighth straight state championship. Liberty is hoping they have bridged the gap since then as they look to fight-off the state’s biggest powerhouse program.
On Friday in South Carolina’s lower state title game, No. 22 Fort Dorchester battles against No. 39 Dutch Fork for the second time this year. During Week 2, Fort Dorchester won 41-25. However, this time last season it was the Silver Foxes who came out on top as they ended the Patriots’ playoff run on their way to the 2016 state title. Fort Dorchester has yet to drop a game all season long and will look to lengthen that streak against a Dutch Fork team that is sure to be hungry for a second consecutive championship.
Also taking a second shot at a team that beat them at the beginning of the season is No. 43 Lake Travis (Texas), who gets a long awaited rematch against No. 41 Judson in the Texas Class 6A Division I second round on Saturday. These two teams met in Week 1 when Judson’s high-scoring offense took advantage of the Cavaliers and handed them a 65-45 loss. There is good news for Lake Travis as starting quarterback Matthew Baldwin returns after sitting out the first round with an ankle injury. The bad news, however, is Judson’s senior quarterback Julon Williams, who had a stellar game the last time he faced the Cavaliers when he totaled for 501 combined yards, also returns to the field on his way back from an injury of his own.
Trying to earn their way into the state finals are No. 48 Pickerington Central and No. 91 Colerain, who will face-off in Ohio’s Division 1 semifinals. This is Central’s second year making it this far in the playoffs and they do so thanks to a 12-1 overall record. Making it this deep into the postseason is an unexpected feat for Colerain that entered the Top 100 for the first time after it’s upset win over defending Division I champions and top-seated St. Xavier. Colerain has won ten straight after an 0-2 start. The winner gets the winner of the other semifinal between No. 49 Mentor and Olentangy Liberty.
Another team entering the rankings for the first time this week is No. 97 McGill-Toolen. Friday night, the Yellowjackets face No. 57 Central (Phenix, AL) in the 7A semifinals. This marks the third season in a row these two squads have matched up in the semifinal round and it has been McGill-Toolen taking the win in each of those previous games. However, the 12-0 Yellow Jackets face a Red Devils team that has been skating by opponents all postseason, outscoring their competition by a combined 94-44 in the first two rounds. They are hoping that momentum carries into this Friday as they look to finally get the win against the team that has continued to eliminate them from a championship run.
Whoever gets the win will face the winner of No. 67 Thompson and No. 70 Hoover. It’s a rematch many in the state of Alabama have been looking forward to since a regular season game that lived up to the hype. After coming back from an early deficit, Thompson got the better of Hoover in a memorable 32-25 win on October 27, which secured the region title for the Warriors. Hoover is coming-off an impressive win over former No. 43 Hewitt-Trussville and will be looking to get back to the title game to try to defend its 2016 state championship. While the Buccaneers look to take advantage of their shot at redemption, Thompson looks to make the state finals for the first time since 1982.
Tennessee’s big showdown comes Friday night when No. 73 Oakland goes head to head with No. 95 Maryville. When these two teams met in the regular season, Oakland got the edge, beating Maryville 17-14. The loss burned a bit extra for the Rebels as it snapped their 70-game home win streak. The major difference between that August game and Friday night’s matchup, however, was that Maryville was without their star quarterback Dylan Hopkins. The UAB-commit has since returned from injury and adds an extra threat to this Rebels offense. Making things even more difficult for Oakland is that Maryville has not lost a home playoff game since 1999, so getting the win this weekend will mean snapping yet another one of the Rebel’s historic runs.
Top 100 Play Schedule
No. 1 Mater Dei (California) vs. No. 21 Mission Viejo (California), Friday
No. 2 IMG Academy – Season Completed
No. 3 Allen (Texas) vs. South Grand Prairie (Texas), Friday
No. 4 Trinity (Kentucky) vs. Central Hardin (Kentucky), Friday
No. 5 South Pointe (South Carolina) st Greer (South Carolina), Friday
No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation, Florida) vs. No. 83 Cardinal Gibbons (Florida), Friday
No. 7 St. Joseph’s Prep (Pennsylvania) vs. Parkland (Pennsylvania), Saturday
No. 8 Ben Davis (Indiana) vs. Penn (Indiana), Saturday
No. 9 Corona Centennial (California) vs. No. 19 St. John Bosco (California), Friday
No. 10 St. Frances Academy (Maryland) – Season Completed
No. 11 Northwestern (Miami, Florida) vs. No. 59 Carol City (Florida), Friday
No. 12 Brentwood Academy (Tennessee) – Idle
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No. 13 Miami Central (Florida) – Season Completed
No. 14 Bishop Gorman (Nevada) vs. No. 64 Liberty (Nevada), Friday
No. 15 De La Salle (California) – Idle
No. 16 Bingham (Utah) – Season Completed
No. 17 Katy (Texas) vs. Cypress Ranch (Texas), Saturday
No. 18 Union (Oklahoma) – Idle
No. 19 St. John Bosco (California) vs. No. 9 Corona Centennial (California), Saturday
No. 20 St. John’s College HS (Washington, DC) – Season Completed
No. 21 Mission Viejo (California) vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (California), Friday
No. 22 Fort Dorchester (South Carolina) vs. No. 39 Dutch Fork (South Carolina), Friday
No. 23 Bergen Catholic (New Jersey) – Idle
No. 24 St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida) vs. Doral Academy (Florida), Friday
No. 25 Pine-Richland (Pennsylvania) vs. State College (Pennsylvania), Saturday
No. 26 Archer (Georgia) vs. Colquitt County (Georgia), Friday
No. 27 Denton Ryan (Texas) vs. Birdville (Texas), Friday
No. 28 John Curtis (Louisiana) vs. Scotlandville (Louisiana), Friday
No. 29 St. Peter’s Prep (New Jersey) – Idle
No. 30 St. Joseph’s Regional (New Jersey) – Idle
No. 31 Erie Cathedral Prep (Pennsylvania) vs. Thomas Jefferson (Pennsylvania), Friday
No. 32 Armwood (Florida) vs. Vanguard (Florida), Friday
No. 33 Duncanville (Texas) vs. Euless Trinity (Texas), Saturday
No. 34 Archbishop Wood (Pennsylvania) vs. Wyoming Valley West (Pennsylvania), Saturday
No. 35 DePaul Catholic (New Jersey) – Idle
No. 36 Aledo (Texas) vs. Grapevine (Texas), Friday
No. 37 Westlake (Texas) vs. Smithson Valley (Texas), Friday
No. 38 Chandler (Arizona) – Idle
No. 39 Dutch Fork (South Carolina) vs. No. 22 Fort Dorchester (South Carolina), Friday
No. 40 DeSoto (Texas) vs. Southlake Carroll (Texas), Saturday
No. 41 Judson (Texas) vs. No. 43 Lake Travis (Texas), Saturday
No. 42 Owasso (Oklahoma) – Idle
No. 43 Lake Travis (Texas) vs. No. 41 Judson (Texas), Saturday
No. 44 Evangel Christian (Louisiana) vs. Catholic (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Friday
No. 45 Wake Forest (North Carolina) vs. Sanderson (North Carolina), Friday
No. 46 West Point (Mississippi) vs. Olive Branch (Mississippi), Friday
No. 47 Cocoa (Florida) vs. University (Florida), Friday
No. 48 Pickerington Central (Ohio) vs. No. 91 Colerain (Ohio), Friday
No. 49 Mentor (Ohio) vs. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), Friday
No. 50 Pearl (Mississippi) vs. Meridian (Mississippi), Friday
No. 51 St. Ignatius (Ohio) – Season Completed
No. 52 East (Utah) – Season Completed
No. 53 St. Xavier (Ohio) – Season Completed
No. 54 St. Edward (Ohio) – Season Completed
No. 55 Buford (Georgia) vs. Stockbridge (Georgia), Friday
No. 56 Trotwood-Madison (Ohio) vs. Toledo Central Catholic (Ohio), Friday
No. 57 Central (Phenix City, Alabama) vs. No. 97 McGill-Toolen (Alabama), Friday
No. 58 Manvel (Texas) vs. Nederland (Texas), Friday
No. 59 Carol City (Florida) at No. 11 Northwestern (Florida), Friday
No. 60 Klein Collins (Texas) vs. Stony Point (Texas), Friday
No. 61 Grayson (Georgia) – Season Completed
No. 62 Pulaski Academy (Arkansas) vs. Nettleton (Arkansas), Friday
No. 63 Prairie Ridge (Illinois) vs. Nazareth Academy (Illinois), Saturday
No. 64 Liberty (Nevada) vs. No. 14 Bishop Gorman (Nevada), Friday
No. 65 Lincoln-Way East (Illinois) vs. Loyola Academy (Illinois), Saturday
No. 66 Archbishop Hoban (Ohio) vs. Avon (Ohio), Friday
No. 67 Thompson (Alabama) vs. No. 70 Hoover (Alabama), Friday
No. 68 Saint Louis (Hawaii) – Season Completed
No. 69 Centennial (Arizona) – Idle
No. 70 Hoover (Alabama) vs. No. 67 Thompson (Alabama), Friday
No. 71 Midway (Texas) vs. Byron Nelson (Texas), Friday
No. 72 Venice (Florida) vs. Tampa Bay Tech (Florida), Friday
No. 73 Oakland (Tennessee) vs. No. 95 Maryville (Tennessee), Friday
No. 74 Plant (Florida) at Lakeland (Florida), Friday
No. 75 Kahuku (Hawaii) – Season Completed
No. 76 Maine South (Illinois) – Season Completed
No. 77 Chaminade (California) – Season Completed
No. 78 Mountain Pointe (Arizona) – Season Completed
No. 79 Lamar (Houston, Texas) vs. Ridge Point (Texas), Friday
No. 80 Saguaro (Arizona) – Idle
No. 81 Viera (Florida) – Season Completed
No. 82 Narbonne (California) vs. Fairfax (California), Friday
No. 83 Cardinal Gibbons (Florida) at No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation, Florida), Friday
No. 84 Columbus (Florida) vs. Miami (Florida), Friday
No. 85 Folsom (California) vs. Jesuit (California), Friday
No. 86 North Little Rock (Arkansas) vs. Conway (Florida), Friday
No. 87 Mallard Creek (North Carolina) vs. Page (North Carolina), Friday
No. 88 Phillips Academy (Illinois) vs. Dunlap (Illinois), Saturday
No. 89 Winton Woods (Ohio) vs. Massillon Washington (Ohio), Friday
No. 90 Mission Hills (California) vs. Torrey Pines (California), Friday
No. 91 Colerain (Ohio) vs. No. 48 Pickerington Central (Ohio), Friday
No. 92 North Gwinnett (Georgia) vs. Marietta (Georgia), Friday
No. 93 Gonzaga (Washington, DC) – Season Completed
No. 94 Good Counsel (Maryland) – Season Completed
No. 95 Maryville (Tennessee) vs. No. 73 Oakland (Tennessee), Friday
No. 96 Chaminade-Madonna (Florida) vs. Clearwater Central Catholic (Florida), Friday
No. 97 McGill-Toolen (Alabama) vs. No. 57 Central (Phenix City, Alabama), Friday
No. 98 Miramar (Florida) – Season Completed
No. 99 Deerfield Beach (Florida) – Season Completed
No. 100 Cartersville (Georgia) – Season Completed
by Kathryn Gallo
High School Football America Writer
Follow @KathrynTGallo
