Fourteen teams in the High School Football America National Top 25 are going after championship trophies this weekend with three games featuring huge match-ups between nationally-ranked teams.
Related: Latest High School Football America Top 25
In Southern California, #2 St. John Bosco (13-0) will square-off with #3 Corona Centennial (13-0) for the CIF-Southern Section Pac 5 championship at Angel Stadium Saturday night. The winner will move-on to the CIF Open Division State Bowl Championship Game in two weeks with the likely opponent to being #8 De La Salle (11-1), heavy favorites to win another North Coast Section title. If De La Salle beats Foothill in the CIF-North Coast Division I championship game, it will be the Spartans 24th straight section championship.
In Ohio, #5 St. Edward (13-1) will be trying to defend its 2014 Division I title against #12 Wayne (14-0) on Saturday at Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University. The game is a rematch of last year’s final won by the Eagles 31-21. It will also mark the third time in the last six years that the two have met for state gold. In 2010, St. Ed beat Wayne, which featured Ohio State‘s Braxton Miller at quarterback.
First-year St. Ed head coach Tom Lombardo will be trying to become the first coach in the state to win two state titles with different schools. Lombardo led Lake Catholic to a state title in 2001.
Listen to Tom Lombardo on High School Football America Radio Show
The Eagles only loss this year was against #21 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, New Jersey) by a 22-20 score.
Speaking of SJR, in New Jersey, #21 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) will face #22 Don Bosco Prep for the Non-Public Group 4 championship. The game will be a rematch from their season opening game on September 5th when St. Joe beat Bosco 17-7. Both teams enter the game with 8-3 records.
The game also marks the return of SJR to Group 4. The Green Knight dropped to Group 3 in 1999 and won 12 group titles in 15 years. A win would give St. Joe 18 sectional titles overall, which would tie them with Pope John for the second most championships all-time in New Jersey high school football history. St. Joseph of Hammonton, which will play in Sunday’s Non-Public Group 2 final, leads with 23 all-time titles.
Listen to SJR head coach Augie Hoffman on High School Football America Radio Show
Bosco will be looking for its ninth title since 2011, but it will be the team’s first trip to the Group final since 2011.
In Nevada, #4 Bishop Gorman will be going after its seventh straight state title Saturday when the Gaels face Liberty. BG has won 76 straight against in-state opponents.
Listen to Bishop Gorman’s Kenny Sanchez on High School Football America Radio Show
In Kentucky on Saturday night, #11 Male will face Lafayette for the state’s Class 6A title. The Bulldogs have been nearly invincible this year, outscoring their opponents 637-to-79 with seven shutouts.
Listen to Male HC Chris Wolfe on High School Football America Radio Show
In Tennessee, #16 Maryville will be going after its 16th overall state championship when it plays Ravenwood on Saturday. It’s a rematch of last year’s 6A title game when Maryville prevailed 35-34 in overtime when the Rebels intercepted Ravenwood’s two-point try in OT. The Rebels are looking for their third straight state championship.
#17 Clay-Chalkville will be looking to go back-to-back in Alabama 6A classification. The Cougars will face Spanish Fort in the Friday night title tilt.
In Ohio, #18 La Salle is also trying to win back-to-back titles. The Lancers will play Massillon Perry in the Ohio Division II title game on Friday.
In Southern California, #24 Mission Viejo will be seeking back-to-back CIF-Southern Section West Valley Division titles when the Diablos play Vista Murrieta. MV beat Vista Murrieta in last year’s title game 21-10.
Related: High School Football America/SoCal Top 25
Related: High School Football America’s California 25
And in Louisiana, #25 Archbishop Rummel is looking for its second state crown in three years and third in the last four. The Raiders will face Baton Rouge-Catholic Friday night in the Select Division I title game.
High School Football America Top 25 Schedule
#1 Allen Eagles (Texas) vs. Denton Ryan (Texas), Saturday
#2 St. John Bosco Braves (California) vs. #3 Corona Centennial (California), Saturday
#3 Corona Centennial Huskies (California) vs. #2 St. John Bosco (California), Saturday
#4 Bishop Gorman Gaels (Nevada) vs. Liberty (Nevada), Nevada Division I championship, Saturday
#5 St. Edward Eagles (Ohio) vs. #12 Wayne (Ohio), Ohio Division I championship, Saturday
#6 Colquitt County Packers (Georgia) vs. Mill Creek (Georgia), Friday
#7 IMG Academy Ascenders (Florida) – Season Completed
#8 De La Salle Spartans (California) vs. Foothill (California), Saturday
#9 Katy Tigers (Texas) vs. Manvel (Texas), Friday
#10 Center Grove Trojans (Indiana) – Season Completed
#11 Male Bulldogs (Kentucky) vs. Lafayette (Kentucky), Kentucky 6A championship game, Saturday
#12 Wayne Warriors (Ohio) vs. #5 St. Edward (Ohio), Ohio Division I championship game, Saturday
#13 DeMatha Stags (Maryland) – Season Completed
#14 Gilman Greyhounds (Maryland) – Season Completed
#15 St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (Florida) vs. Braden River (Florida), Friday
#16 Maryville Rebels (Tennessee) vs. Ravenwood (Tennessee), Tennessee 6A championship game, Saturday
#17 Clay-Chalkville Cougars (Alabama) vs. Spanish Fort (Alabama), Alabama 6A championship game, Friday
#18 La Salle Lancers (Ohio) vs. Massillon Perry (Ohio), Ohio Division II championship game, Friday
#19 Cibolo Steele Knights (Texas) vs. Clemens (Texas), Saturday
#20 Colerain Cardinals (Ohio) – Season Completed
#21 St. Joseph Regional Green Knights (Montvale, New Jersey) vs. #22 Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), Non-Public Group 4 championship, Friday
#22 Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (New Jersey) vs. #21 St. Joseph Regional (New Jersey), Non-Public Group 4 championship, Friday
#23 Loyola Academy Ramblers (Illinois) – Season Completed
#24 Mission Viejo Diablos (California) at Vista Murrieta (California), Friday
#25 Archbishop Rummel Raiders (Louisiana) vs. Catholic (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Louisiana Select Division I championship, Friday
