Football at all levels is off and running but while the NFL and college levels have only just started playing, there are many high school football teams around the country that have already hit the midpoint of their seasons.
Week 5 is here for most and as there are every week, there are some massive showdowns set to go down this week from all corners of the country.
Here's a look at our top 10 games of the week, which feature a massive west coast Super 25 showdown.
But first, here are staff prediction standings heading into Week 5:
- 1. Alex Martin: 30-10
- T2. Logan Newman, Joe Spears: 28-12
- 4. Alyce Brown: 27-13
- T5. Ansley Gavlak, Ehsan Kassim: 26-14
Game of the Week: Bishop Gorman (NV) at Mater Dei (CA)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. PST
When Mater Dei and Bishop Gorman square off on the gridiron, it doesn't matter where you're at; everyone is watching.
The Monarchs lead the all-time series 5-0, with the first game between
the two coming in 2017. Of their five meetings, two have been decided by single digits, including last year's 27-24 win for Mater Dei.
Bishop Gorman comes into this matchup rested after a week off, while Mater Dei held off Centennial (CA) 10-9 in a defensive slugfest.
Alex Martin prediction: Bishop Gorman 20, Mater Dei 17
Alyce Brown prediction: Bishop Gorman 28, Mater Dei 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Bishop Gorman 24, Mater Dei 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Mater Dei 20, Bishop Gorman 17
Joe Spears prediction: Bishop Gorman 23, Mater Dei 21
Logan Newman prediction: Bishop Gorman 24, Mater Dei 17
Orange Lutheran (CA) at No. 16 Sierra Canyon (CA)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. PST
Sierra Canyon's game last week wascalled in the third quarter with the Trailblazers up 52-0 after a Saint Louis (HI) player had to be helped off of the field a serious injury.
They'll have to quickly turn their attention away from that to a massive matchup with one of California's fastest rising teams. Orange Lutheran has rattled off three straight wins after opening the season with a one-point loss to Central (FL).
This meeting between the two should be closer than last year's. Sierra Canyon rolled when these two met last September with a 41-9 win.
Alex Martin prediction: Sierra Canyon 21, Orange Lutheran 20
Alyce Brown prediction: Sierra Canyon 24, Orange Lutheran 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Sierra Canyon 28, Orange Lutheran 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Sierra Canyon 30, Orange Lutheran 24
Joe Spears prediction: Sierra Canyon 35, Orange Lutheran 24
Logan Newman prediction: Sierra Canyon 30, Orange Lutheran 23
St. John's (DC) at No. 20 West Boca Raton (FL)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 6:30 p.m. ET
One of the more unique matchups of the week has one of DC's top programs traveling down to Florida to play one of the state's premier programs.
West Boca Raton has been on a tear this season, winning each of its games by 17 or more points. The Bulls have been dominant defensively, allowing a combined 14 total points through three games. Quarterback Trey Moran has been efficient, leading the offense by passing for five touchdowns and adding two more on the ground.
Alex Martin prediction: West Boca Raton 20, St. John's 17
Alyce Brown prediction: West Boca Raton 28, St. John's 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: West Boca Raton 28, St. John's 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: St. John's 24, West Boca Raton 17
Joe Spears prediction: West Boca Raton 28, St. John's 10
Logan Newman prediction: West Boca Raton 20, St. John's 16
No. 23 Washington (OH) at St. Edward (OH)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. ET
Washington has rolled through its first four games of the season and now the Tigers have a showdown with another one of the state's undefeated programs.
St. Edward is 4-0, but the Eagles have been tested. They opened the season with a 15-12 win over Olentangy Liberty (OH) and last week they held off Archbishop Hoban (OH) 17-14.
This week also presents the Eagles with an opportunity to get some revenge. Washington won last season's showdown between the two 21-14.
Alex Martin prediction: Washington 24, St. Edward 13
Alyce Brown prediction: Washington 21, St. Edward 14
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Washington 27, St. Edward 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Washington 20, St. Edward 14
Joe Spears prediction: Washington 27, St. Edward 17
Logan Newman prediction: Washington 17, St. Edward 13
Ben Davis (IN) at Warren Central (IN)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. ET
There's no bigger rivalry in the Hoosier State than when the Giants and Warriors get together. Recognized as one of the best rivalries in the country, Warren Central holds a 60-38-3 series lead over the neighbors to the west.
The Warriors' offense has been flying high, scoring 45 or more points each of the last three weeks after opening the season with a 20-14 win over Center Grove. Ben Davis is looking to bounce back from a 21-10 loss to Center Grove last week.
Warren Central's won back-to-back games in the series, including a double-overtime thriller two years ago.
Alex Martin prediction: Warren Central 34, Ben Davis 20
Alyce Brown prediction: Warren Central 31, Ben Davis 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Warren Central 28, Ben Davis 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Warren Central 30, Ben Davis 17
Joe Spears prediction: Warren Central 42, Ben Davis 24
Logan Newman prediction: Warren Central 25, Ben Davis 17
Cherry Creek (CO) at Valor Christian (CO)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. MT
This is the game all high school football fans in Colorado have had circled once the schedules were released.
These two have met frequently in the postseason, with Cherry Creek winning five of the last six games, including last year's Class 5A state semifinal 21-13. The last time Valor Christian picked up a win over the Bruins was in the 2018 Class 5A state title game.
So far this season, the two sides are a combined 5-1, with the lone loss being Valor Christian's to Mater Dei. Cherry Creek has been tested, including last week's 34-28 overtime win over Legend (CO).
Alex Martin prediction: Cherry Creek 27, Valor Christian 24
Alyce Brown prediction: Valor Christian 27, Cherry Creek 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Cherry Creek 30, Valor Christian 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Cherry Creek 21, Valor Christian 20
Joe Spears prediction: Cherry Creek 24, Valor Christian 23
Logan Newman prediction: Valor Christian 31, Cherry Creek 28
Edna Karr (LA) vs. Ruston (LA)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m. CT
A game of this magnitude is too big to be played on a normal high school football field so fans in New Orleans will get the chance to see the state's top two programs square off Saturday at the Caesars Superdome.
Edna Karr has been the dominant team in Louisiana's high school football scene over the last three seasons and after back-to-back wins to start the year, the Cougars' win streak is up to 30 games. While they graduated a ton from last year's championship team, the Cougars have been just as dominant two games into the new year, beating Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy (LA) 48-21 and Huntington (LA) 50-0.
Led by LSU five-star tight end commit Ahmad Hudson, four-star LSU safety commit Jayden Anding and rising 2028 four-star running back Dalen Powell, expectations were high for Ruston entering the year. The Bearcats have lived up to the hype so far, outscoring their first two opponents 78-38.
Alex Martin prediction: Edna Karr 30, Ruston 27
Alyce Brown prediction: Edna Karr 28, Ruston 24
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Ruston 24, Edna Karr 21
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Edna Karr 27, Ruston 21
Joe Spears prediction: Edna Karr 35, Ruston 31
Logan Newman prediction: Ruston 21, Edna Karr 20
Mount Carmel (IL) at St. Patrick (IL)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7:30 p.m. CT
Since opening the season with the loss to East St. Louis (IL) and having to come back to beat St. Joseph Regional (NJ), the Caravan have rolled in each of their last two games, winning by an average of 28.5 points.
This week will be the first real test for the Shamrocks this season. They've scored 42 or more points in each of their first four games and have won by an average of 35.8 points.
This game has only been played once before, going all the way back to 1987. Mount Carmel won that game in the second round of the postseason, 31-14.
Alex Martin prediction: Mount Carmel 38, St. Patrick 27
Alyce Brown prediction: Mount Carmel 35, St. Patrick 28
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Mount Carmel 31, St. Patrick 24
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Mount Carmel 35, St. Patrick 25
Joe Spears prediction: Mount Carmel 35, St. Patrick 21
Logan Newman prediction: Mount Carmel 38, St. Patrick 27
Oxford (MS) at Tupelo (MS)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. CT
A 45-minute drive separates the Golden Wave and Chargers and Friday night's game could cement one as the team to beat in Mississippi this season.
The two games played last season were as good as advertised with Tupelo holding on for the 20-13 win in the regular season and a 21-20 win in the state semifinals. Heading into this game, both teams have been dominant through their first three games.
Tupelo hasn't played a close game yet, winning by an average of 31.7 points. Oxford rolled in two of its three games, with its only close game being a 17-10 win over South Panola (MS).
Alex Martin prediction: Tupelo 28, Oxford 20
Alyce Brown prediction: Tupelo 31, Oxford 21
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Tupelo 24, Oxford 20
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Oxford 28, Tupelo 21
Joe Spears prediction: Tupelo 23, Oxford 21
Logan Newman prediction: Tupelo 30, Oxford 23
Liberty (AZ) at Basha (AZ)
Date: Friday, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. CT
Over the last four years, the top division in Arizona has gone through either Basha or Liberty.
Basha took last year's crown, knocking off back-to-back champion Liberty in a semifinal game that came down to a defensive stop at first-and-goal from the 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. The Bears were favorites to defend their title this year, entering the season in the Super 25, but with two straight losses, they now face extra pressure — a third loss would make an Open Division appearance an uphill battle.
Liberty has started the year stronger, winning each of its first three games behind a well-rounded offense and a defense that has done a good job forcing turnovers. The Lions will look to remain undefeated and get vengeance for last year's playoff loss.
Alex Martin prediction: Liberty 27, Basha 24
Alyce Brown prediction: Liberty 21, Basha 18
Ansley Gavlak prediction: Liberty 24, Basha 17
Ehsan Kassim prediction: Liberty 24, Basha 21
Joe Spears prediction: Liberty 28, Basha 24
Logan Newman prediction: Liberty 20, Basha 16
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: High school football schedule, score predictions for Week 5 Games of the Week
