The 2026 high school football postseason has arrived for the majority of the country.
California, Florida, Georgia and Oregon are among the 14 states kicking off their postseason this week, while many other states are a little further along. Alaska has already wrapped up its postseason.
That means high school football fans are in line for an exciting slate of games this weekend. With the stakes raised to a win-or-go-home battle for every team, each game means even more at this point of the season, especially for the seniors wrapping up their prep careers.
With so much on the line, here are the top games to keep tabs on in Week 13.
USA TODAY High School Sports Staff prediction standings after Week 12
- 1. Alex Martin: 84-36
- 2. Joe Spears: 83-37
- 3. Ansley Gavlak: 77-43
- T4. Ehsan Kassim and Logan Newman: 76-44
- 6. Alyce Brown: 75-45
Game of the Week: No. 7 IMG Academy (FL) at No. 23 St. Frances Academy (MD)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m. ET
Many expected this game to be the national championship as both programs entered the season
with high expectations and bad blood since the matchup last year was cancelled. However, 2026 has featured its fair share of ups and downs for both teams.
IMG Academy (9-0) is unbeaten, but the Ascenders have had their close calls. On Oct. 3 they beat The St. James Academy (VA) 44-42 and two weeks later they once again won on a last-second field goal, beating NFL Academy 42-40.
St. Frances Academy (6-2) wasn't as lucky in a few of its close games. The Panthers also played St. James Academy but blew a 17-point lead before losing 28-20. A week later, they struggled to get their offense going in a 14-9 loss to The Hun School (NJ).
Alex Martin prediction: IMG Academy 31, St. Frances Academy 20
Alyce Brown prediction: IMG Academy 35, St. Frances Academy 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: IMG Academy 34, St. Frances Academy 27
Ehsan Kassim prediction: IMG Academy 33, St. Frances Academy 20
Joe Spears prediction: IMG Academy 35, St. Frances Academy 21
Logan Newman prediction: IMG Academy 31, St. Frances Academy 27
Lakeland (FL) at No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET
Watch Lakeland vs. St. Thomas Aquinas live on NFHS Network
Lakeland's 32-25 double-overtime loss to Venice (FL) back on Sept. 4 is the only reason that this isn't a game featuring two unbeaten teams to kick off Open Division play.
The Dreadnaughts (9-1) were dominant from that point on as they won eight consecutive games with all but one coming by 25 or more points.
Two close wins over Columbus (FL) and Chaminade-Madonna (FL) were the only two times that St. Thomas Aquinas (10-0) has faced adversity this season. Loaded with Power Four talent, this game will be the biggest challenge for the Raiders since their one-point win over Chaminade-Madonna on Oct. 2.
Alex Martin prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 30, Lakeland 27
Alyce Brown prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 28, Lakeland 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Lakeland 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 35, Lakeland 21
Joe Spears prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 42, Lakeland 23
Logan Newman prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 33, Lakeland 21
Mission Viejo (CA) at No. 9 Sierra Canyon (CA)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. PT
Is this the week Sierra Canyon finally gets challenged?
The Trailblazers (10-0) have been one of the most impressive teams in the country, averaging 44.7 points per game and only allowing 61 total points on the year. They have not allowed more than seven points in a game since Sept. 25.
Mission Viejo (8-1) hasn't been as dominant as Sierra Canyon this year, but the Diablos have established themselves as one of California's top teams this season. The Diablos did lose to Folsom by 14 on Sept. 4 but closed out the year winning its next six games, four of which by double digits.
Alex Martin prediction: Sierra Canyon 34, Mission Viejo 21
Alyce Brown prediction: Sierra Canyon 35, Mission Viejo 28
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Sierra Canyon 31, Mission Viejo 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Sierra Canyon 27, Mission Viejo 20
Joe Spears prediction: Sierra Canyon 24, Mission Viejo 10
Logan Newman prediction: Sierra Canyon 28, Mission Viejo 17
Centennial (CA) at No. 19 Mater Dei (CA)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. PT
Watch Centennial vs. Mater Dei live on NFHS Network
Round 2 between the Huskies and Monarchs kicks off postseason play Friday night. Will there be more points scored this time around?
Mater Dei (8-2) won the first meeting 10-9 back on Sept. 11.Since, the team has seemingly figured out its offense, scoring 35 or more points during this four-game winning streak.
Centennial (7-3) is only five points away from being unbeaten going into the postseason. Against top teams like Mater Dei, Santa Margarita (CA) and De La Salle (CA), the Huskies found ways late lose games that looked winnable. Will the start of the playoffs be the time they turn those misfortunes into wins?
Alex Martin prediction: Mater Dei 28, Centennial 24
Alyce Brown prediction: Mater Dei 28, Centennial 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Mater Dei 27, Centennial 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Mater Dei 24, Centennial 17
Joe Spears prediction: Centennial 17, Mater Dei 14
Logan Newman prediction: Mater Dei 28, Centennial 25
Corner Canyon (UT) at Mountain Ridge (UT)
Date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 7 p.m. MT
While these two teams have only played three times, Corner Canyon has not lost in the series, with two wins coming by double-digits. Last year was a lopsided 39-point win for the Chargers.
The situation appears different this year though as Mountain Ridge (12-0) has consistently been the best team in Utah since the jump. Averaging 45.3 points per game, the Sentinels won all but one of their games in blowout fashion. Senior quarterback Jaxon Hunt is a big reason for that success, having completed 67% of his passes for 3,925 yards and 51 touchdowns.
Corner Canyon will need a big night from senior quarterback Jaxon Pehrson and running back Jackson Carruth to spring the upset. The two have combined to rush over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns, with Pehrson also throwing for 2,014 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Alex Martin prediction: Mountain Ridge 35, Corner Canyon 27
Alyce Brown prediction: Mountain Ridge 31, Corner Canyon 28
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Corner Canyon 28, Mountain Ridge 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Mountain Ridge 33, Corner Canyon 27
Joe Spears prediction: Mountain Ridge 42, Corner Canyon 27
Logan Newman prediction: Mountain Ridge 31, Corner Canyon 30
Mount Carmel (IL) at Lincoln-Way East (IL)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 1 p.m. CT
Mount Carmel's road to a four-peat was always going to be challenging but it faces its first real test in the postseason with a massive road trip.
The Caravan (9-2) have had their slip ups against in-state opponents with losses to East St. Louis (IL) and Brother Rice (IL) but they have also picked up huge in-state wins like a 17-point win over Loyola Academy (IL) on Oct. 16.
Friday night will be the first true test for Lincoln-Way East (11-0) since beating Brother Rice by a point on Aug. 21. After a pair of one-possession wins over the first two weeks, the Griffins were able to run up the score on their next nine opponents beating them by an average of 32.8 points.
Alex Martin prediction: Mount Carmel 34, Lincoln-Way East 28
Alyce Brown prediction: Mount Carmel 35, Lincoln-Way East 28
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Lincoln-Way East 33, Mount Carmel 30
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Mount Carmel 31, Lincoln-Way East 27
Joe Spears prediction: Mount Carmel 35, Lincoln-Way East 28
Logan Newman prediction: Lincoln-Way East 30, Mount Carmel 27
Massillon (OH) at Big Walnut (OH)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. ET
Watch Massillon vs. Big Walnut live on NFHS Network
Last year Big Walnut and Massillon played in the postseason with the Eagles coming out on top 27-21. Can the Tigers get their revenge?
Amidst all of the eligibility controversy surrounding Brayton and Brydon Feister, Massillon (9-1) lost its only game of the year to Cornerstone Christian (TX) 35-21. They rebounded over the next two weeks, beating Harding (OH) and McKinley (OH) by an average of 32 points.
There haven't been many teams that have come close to beating Big Walnut (11-0) this season. The Eagles won all of their games but one by double-digits. That one single-possession game was a 47-40 overtime win over Ironton (OH).
Alex Martin prediction: Massillon 31, Big Walnut 17
Alyce Brown prediction: Massillon 28, Big Walnut 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Massillon 28, Big Walnut 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Big Walnut 27, Massillon 24
Joe Spears prediction: Massillon 24, Big Walnut 21
Logan Newman prediction: Massillon 26, Big Walnut 23
Millard North (NE) at Millard South (NE)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. CT
Watch Millard North vs. Millard South live on NFHS Network
The last time the Mustangs and Patriots squared off against one another was to open the season back on Aug. 28. South won an exciting 35-34 shootout, handing North its only loss of the year.
That loss seemed to spark something in the Mustangs (10-1). They've been on a tear since that game, winning their last 10 games by an average of 28.8 points.
South (10-1) suffered its first loss a few weeks ago, losing to Omaha Westside (NE) in blowout fashion. Led by Nebraska five-star quarterback commit Trae Taylor, they've bounced back nicely winning their last two games by an average of 41.5 points.
Alex Martin prediction: Millard South 35, Millard North 28
Alyce Brown prediction: Millard South 31, Millard North 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Millard South 38, Millard North 31
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Millard South 35, Millard North 30
Joe Spears prediction: Millard South 42, Millard North 41
Logan Newman prediction: Millard South 33, Millard North 30
Oakland (TN) at Maryville (TN)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m. CT
Watch Oakland vs. Maryville live on NFHS Network
The history between these two programs isn't as long as other rivalries in the Volunteer State, but several times over the last decade, the team who won the postseason game between the two went on to win the Class 5A or Class 6A state title.
Oakland (9-2) leads the overall series 7-5 and has won five of the last six meetings between the two. This year's game is only the third time that the matchup between these two programs is not in a state semifinals game.
Maryville (10-1) is looking to end a four-game losing streak to the Patriots.
Alex Martin prediction: Oakland 27, Maryville 20
Alyce Brown prediction: Oakland 24, Maryville 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Oakland 28, Maryville 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Maryville 20, Oakland 17
Joe Spears prediction: Oakland 33, Maryville 30
Logan Newman prediction: Oakland 20, Maryville 17
Star Valley (WY) at Cody (WY)
Date: Friday, Nov. 13, 3 p.m. MT
Watch Star Valley vs. Cody live on NFHS Network
The last decade has seen one of the best rivalries in Wyoming form as the Braves and Broncs have played numerous times, including for state championships. Cody is looking to end an eight-game losing streak in the series.
Since 2022, the last four Class 3A championships in the state have been decided by the two schools with Star Valley winning each by an average of 13 points. Last year's game was a 26-21 final.
The two played earlier this year with the Braves handing Cody (9-1) its only loss of the year with a 28-27 final. Star Valley's (10-1) lone loss came to an out-of-state team earlier the year in Sugar-Salem (ID).
Alex Martin prediction: Star Valley 24, Cody 20
Alyce Brown prediction: Star Valley 28, Cody 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Star Valley 27, Cody 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Cody 27, Star Valley 24
Joe Spears prediction: Star Valley 27, Cody 21
Logan Newman prediction: Cody 24, Star Valley 21
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school football schedule, score predictions for Week 13 Games of the Week
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