National High School Football Predictions: Sep. 25-27

Earlier this week, we shared game 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. 9 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) at Don Bosco Prep (N.J.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Granatell Stadium, Ramsey, N.J.

Whenever Bergen Catholic (4-0) and Don Bosco Prep (3-0) clash, you can expect an all out battle between the two New Jersey private school powers. The last time the two squared off was in last year’s NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship game, with the Crusaders coming away with the 25-7 victory. The Crusaders have been recently dominant in the series, winning four straight as the Ironmen’s last win came back on Sep. 24, 2022 (31-7 victory). Looking at the level of play Bergen has been at this season against some of the nation’s best, we see the Crusaders rising to the occasion in this first of likely two legs of meetings this fall.

Prediction: Bergen Catholic 28, Don Bosco Prep 17

Lee County (Ga.) at Thomas County Central (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas County Stadium, Thomasville, Ga.

Stopping the seemingly unstoppable Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets (5-0) offense is the task the Lee County (3-1) defense has on its hands Friday night in Thomasville. The Yellow Jackets are averaging a ridiculous 59 points per game behind a loaded offense that includes Jaydon Dunbar (Pittsburgh commit) and Christian Lawrence (Wake Forest commit). The last couple of times Thomas County Central was held under 30 points, Lee County was one of the teams to do so. Though it’s not unfeasible to see Lee County win this game, it’s hard to go against Thomas County Central’s high level of play at the moment until proven otherwise.

Prediction: Thomas County Central 35, Lee County 27

Monsignor Farrell (N.Y.) at St. Anthony’s (N.Y.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7 p.m. ET
Where: James C. Metzger Stadium, Melville, N.Y.

Staten Island versus Long Island is what’s on the line here out of the Empire State when St. Anthony’s (2-2) and Monsignor Farrell (3-1) meet on Friday night. It’ll be a matchup between the top two teams in New York and one thing fans can look forward to is a lot of run plays. Leading the St. Anthony’s ground attack will be junior running back Xavier Bala, who has rushed for well over 330 yards this season and he will be countered by Monsignor Farrell workhorse Kevin Gumb Jr. (494 yards, eight touchdowns). We think the Friars difficult schedule to this point helps them come away with the victory.

Prediction: St. Anthony’s 30, Monsignor Farrell 24

Valdosta (Ga.) at Camden County (Ga.)

When: Friday, September 26, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Chris Gilman Stadium, Kingsland, Georgia

Another South Georgia high school football game that was too good to pass up in the Battle of the Wildcats. Both Valdosta (5-0) and Camden County (5-0) head into the contest undefeated, featuring a couple of the region’s most storied teams as they both enter the tilt looking to carry momentum into the rest of the season. Valdosta is armed with one of the top defensive backfields in the state, with Jalon Copeland (Arkansas commit) and Camron Brown (Mississippi State commit) patrolling the back end. The two will be challenged by a high-powered passing attack, led by junior quarterback William Jackson (855 yards, 14 touchdowns) and four-star wide receiver Sean Green (19 catches, 289 yards). This is a coin toss in some ways, but give us the Wildcats of Kingsland by a point.

Prediction: Camden County 35, Valdosta 34

Waxahachie (TX) at DeSoto (TX)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Eagle Stadium, DeSoto, TX

Does the Waxahachie Indians (4-0) have more left in the tank after last wee’s upset of Duncanville? The Indians will be up against a very proud DeSoto Eagles (2-2) program that will look to change their fortunes with a win on Friday night. The Eagles are coming off an impressive last couple of outings ias they’ve out-scored their opponents 144-7. It’s a traditionally top ranked team against a newcomer into the conversation and something tells us DeSoto shakes things up a little more wonkier than we need it to be.

Prediction: DeSoto 34, Waxahachie 31

Baylor School (Tenn.) at Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
Where: Montgomery Bell Stadium, Nashville, Tenn.

Before McCallie School’s improbable upset win over Mission Viejo (Calif.), Baylor School (5-0) had been playing as good as anyone in the state of Tennessee this season. The Red Raiders take on a very good Montgomery Bell Academy squad that’s also undefeated and has been playing pretty well themselves. When the two programs faced off last season it would be the Baylor School getting the upper hand, coming away with a 32-21 win. Does Baylor School look ahead to next week’s mega matchup against No. 1 McCallie School in Chattanooga or do they remained focus on Friday night? We think the Red Raiders keep their eyes on the prize and improve to 6-0.

Prediction: Baylor School 48, Montgomery Bell Academy 28

No. 3 IMG Academy (Fla.) at Phenix City Central (Ala.)

When: Friday, Sep. 26 at 9 p.m. ET
Where: Garrett–Harrison Stadium, Phenix City, Ala.

IMG Academy loves playing in the Yellowhammer State, just ask Hoover about their experience against the Ascenders earlier this season. The Ascenders are racking in the frequent flier miles as the last contest they played was out in California, romping past Coronado (Nev.), 79-6. IMG’s offense has been arguably the best in the country behind the play of four-star sophomore sensation Jayden Wade (399 yards, seven touchdowns) and Lekhy Thompkins (447 yards, seven touchdowns) in the backfield. If any of the out-of-state tests for the Ascenders have told us anything, its that IMG Academy is built for the road this fall.

Prediction: IMG Academy 45, Phenix City Central 17

Corner Canyon (Utah) at Skyridge (Utah)

When: Friday, September 26, 10 p.m. ET
Where: The Nest, Lehi, Utah

Corner Canyon (5-1) can’t lose two in a row, can they? Well, if Skyridge has the stars align on Friday night, they’ll look to hand the Chargers their second straight loss of the season, which at one point seemed totally out of the realm. The Chargers will need Texas A&M four-star quarterback commit Helaman Casuga (1,675 yards, 18 touchdowns) to lead the way on Friday night. The Falcons (5-1) have their own leader at quarterback in three-star Kaneal Sweetwyne, who has been terrific this season throwing for 1,839 yards and 23 touchdowns. We just can’t see Corner Canyon losing a consecutive game, but crazier things have happened this season like losing to Lone Peak.

Prediction: Corner Canyon 49, Skyridge 45

Liberty (Ariz.) at Pinnacle (Ariz.)

When: Friday, September 26, 10 p.m. ET
Where: Pinnacle Stadium, Phoenix, Ariz.

If you’re a Arizona high school football fan, the place to be Friday night is over at Pinnacle Stadium when Liberty (3-1) and Pinnacle (4-0) clash. The Lions defense, led by Boise State commit Paz St. John (10 tackles, 2.5 sacks) and Minnesota pledge Hudson Dunn (19 tackles, seven for loss), will need to slow down a Pioneers’ offense that’s averaging 43.5 points per game. Pinnacle’s offense has received strong play from quarterback Drew Varsano, who has thrown for 797 yards and 11 touchdowns. Liberty needs a statement and they make one on Friday night.

Prediction: Liberty 37, Pinnacle 20

No. 6 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) at No. 17 Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.)

When: Saturday, Sep. 26 at 10 p.m. ET
Where: Saddleback College Stadium, Mission Viejo, Calif.

Bishop Gorman (4-1) had a chance to define themselves as the No. 1 team in the country and puts themselves in the driver’s seat for the all mythical national title. Instead, the Gaels have some work to do if they want to remain in that very conversation and it begins in a rare Saturday night tilt. Bishop Gorman heads west into California to take on the No. 17 ranked Santa Margarita Catholic Eagles in a game with plenty of national implications. Former NFL Pro Bowler Carson Palmer has done a fine job in his first season at the helm of his alma mater and looks to lead his Eagles to what would be a second signature win of 2025. Many would go with the Gaels to bounce back here, but we take Lee Corso’s famous line here of ‘Not so fast, my friend.’

Prediction: Santa Margarita 21, Bishop Gorman 20

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.