National High School Football Predictions: Aug. 28-30

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. 12 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at No. 17 East St. Louis (Ill.) 

When: Thursday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. ET
Where: Carey Stadium, Ocean City, N.J.

There might not be a more even matchup between nationally ranked teams when East St. Louis, Illinois’ No. 1 squad, faces off against New Jersey’s top-ranked program in Bergen Catholic. The Crusaders are coming off a NJSIAA non-public state championship and could be trotting out a freshman quarterback in Walker Snee on Thursday afternoon. East St. Louis heads to Ocean City with a less experienced team compared to recent years, but will pose a test to the Crusaders ahead of their trip down to Florida against West Boca Raton.

Prediction: Bergen Catholic 18, East St, Louis 16

No. 5 IMG Academy (Fla.) at Winslow Township (N.J.)

When: Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Carey Stadium, Ocean City, N.J.

On the first day of the Battle at the Beach Classic at the historic Carey Stadium, the IMG Academy Ascenders are taking on the Winslow Township Eagles. The Ascenders have already played two games this season, with both of the wins being more than 30 points. Winslow Township will be playing its first game of the season and up against one of the best teams in the country, this seems like a bridge too far for the Eagles.

Prediction: IMG Academy 41, Winslow Township 14

La Salle College Prep (Pa.) vs. Malvern Prep (Pa.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. ET
Where: Carey Stadium, Ocean City, N.J.

When these two teams kicked off the 2024 season last year, La Salle College Prep defeated Malvern Prep in a 21-17 decision. With the two programs squaring off over on the Jersey Shore at Carey Stadium, the Explorers and Friars squaring off in another state outside of Pennsylvania. The Explorers will lean on quarterback Gavin Sidwar (Missouri commitment) to lead the offense on Friday night. We expect plenty of points between the two clubs.

Prediction: La Salle College Prep 35, Malvern Prep 31

Oscar Smith (Va.) at Gonzaga High (D.C.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Buchanan Field, Washington, District of Columbia

Arguably the top high school football matchup in the DMV takes place when Oscar Smith takes the trip to downtown Washington D.C. against the Gonzaga Eagles. In Oscar Smith, this could be arguably the top team in the state of Virginia up against the best of the District Columbia. The Tigers’ offense we feel will be too much behind the play of quarterback Lonnie Andrews III and Michigan pledge Travis Johnson.

Prediction: Oscar Smith 30, Gonzaga High 21

No. 22 Thompson (Ala.) at No. 7 Grayson (Ga.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Grayson Ram Stadium, Loganville, Ga.

The best of Alabama against the best of Georgia collides on Friday night in Logansville and if you like defensive matchups, you might want to drive out for this one. Grayson will need to lean on its elite defense even more following the season-ending injury to quarterback Travis Burgess. Flipping over to Thompson, the program has a slew of talent especially on the offensive side of the ball behind four-star junior quarterback Trent Seaborn.

Prediction: Thompson 21, Grayson 16

Guyer (Texas) at Aledo (Texas)

When: Friday, Aug. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Tim Buchanan Stadium, Aledo, Texas

There’s denying that other top ranked Texas high school football programs will be at play like Duncanville and North Crowley, but Guyer and Aledo provide the best overall matchup in the Lone Star State. The likelihood each club could score more than five touchdowns is high with the kind of firepower both possesses. When it tends to lean towards an offensive shootout like this, leaning with the home team seems like the safest bet.

Prediction: Guyer 42, Aledo 35

Cherry Creek (Colo.) vs. Cardinal Mooney (Fla.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Austin-Tindall Sports Complex, Kissimmee, Fla.

Colorado’s No. 1 ranked Cherry Creek takes the trio out east to face off against one of Florida’s top teams out of Class 2A in Cardinal Mooney. One thing each club does not lack is a terrific run game, with the Bruins going to UConn commitment Jayden Fox on the ground. The Cougars counter with their own workhorse tailback in Connail Jackson, who went for well over 1,000 yards in 2024. Strength versus strength, we give the slight edge to the team from the Sunshine State in this one.

Prediction: Cardinal Mooney 28, Cherry Creek 24

Basha (Ariz.) at Brophy College Prep (Ariz.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29 at 100 p.m. ET
Where: Ray Laing Field, Phoenix, Arizona

Two of the few most notable high school football programs out of Grand Canyon State kicks off high school football action in the most intriguing matchup. There’s no lack of star power heading into this Basha–Brophy College Prep tilt as both teams feature a slew of Power Four recruits. In game that has so many of Arizona’s top players partaking in, it will come down to the play on the line of scrimmage and Basha has proven annually that’s where their strength stands out the most.

Prediction: Basha 31, Brophy College Prep 18

No. 10 Centennial (Calif.) at Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.)

When: Friday, Aug. 29, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Trabuco Hills High School Football Stadium, Mission Viejo, Calif.

Last week, the high school football head coaching debut of Santa Margarita’s Carson Palmer wasn’t exactly how he probably envisioned his start. A 7-3 loss to Mission Viejo is how it started and it could be the beginning of a long first season for the former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback. Centennial opened the season with a decisive 42-14 victory over a solid Servite team, which tells us the Huskies are already humming on both sides of the ball. It could be a long evening for Santa Margarita.

Prediction: Corona Centennial 34, Santa Margarita Catholic 13

No. 20 DeMatha Catholic (Md.) vs. No. 21 St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.)

When: Saturday, Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Abbesinio Stadium, Wilmington, Delaware

There’s probably no high school football team that’s been itching to get back on the gridiron more than the St. Joseph’s Prep School Hawks after they blew a 28-point lead to American Heritage (Fla.) at the Broward County Classic last weekend. The Hawks raced out to a 28-0 lead on the Patriots down in South Florida before allowing American Heritage to storm back with 31 unanswered points for the improbable win. We think that may be enough motivation to come back and come away victorious on Saturday night against DeMatha Catholic.

Prediction: St. Joseph’s Prep School 27, DeMatha Catholic 23

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.