High School Football Games of the Week: National top-25 showdowns on tap

The latter half of August marks the beginning of the high school football season for many states across the country, and games are already underway.

Georgia, Hawaii, and California kicked things off last week, but a number of others are set to go over the next few days. That includes some of the nation’s top programs by way of Florida, Utah, Nevada, Maryland, Alabama and more.

On3 breaks down seven key showdowns this week with teams ranked in the top-25 nationally according to the Massey Ratings.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory.

Top high school football games this week

#1 Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. #12 Centennial (Calif.)

Led by the likes of Alabama four-star cornerback commit Chuck McDonald, Oregon four-star running back commit Jordon Davison and 2026 Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr., the Monarchs are once again heavy favorites to land another state title. Texas A&M five-star quarterback commit Husan Longstreet is reportedly a game-time decision for the Huskies, who will look to play early-season spoiler at the Santa Ana Bowl.

#9 IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. #11 Corner Canyon (Utah)

Star-studded IMG will head to west to take on Corner Canyon in another massive showcase. The No. 1 team in the Utah, Corner Canyon put up 70 points in its season-opening win last week. IMG’s roster features a total of 17 blue-chippers in the junior and senior classes this season.

#5 St. John Bosco (Calif.) vs. #16 Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.)

California powerhouse Bosco heads to Florida to take part in the ESPN High School Football Kickoff against Sunshine State squad Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.). The giant matchup is set for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 24 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Braves have once again reloaded and will be led by the likes of 2026 four-star athlete Madden Williams and 2026 USC three-star ATH commit Joshua Holland, while the Lions boast elite 2026 prospects Derrek Cooper and Jabari Brady, along with Miami-bound four-star cornerback Chris Ewald.

#7 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) vs. #22 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)

Junior four-star athlete Jett Washington impressed with a pair of interceptions, leading Bishop Gorman’s dominant defense in a win over Kahuku (Hawaii). A tougher test awaits this weekend, as the Gaels are also heading to Florida to participate in the ESPN High School Football Kickoff, taking on the host school, No. 22 St. Thomas Aquinas, at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Raiders’ roster is headlined by one of the best juniors in the country, four-star safety Justice Fitzpatrick.

#18 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. J Serra Catholic (Calif.)

Now the No. 18 team in the nation following its 30-7 win in Hawaii over Punahou, Sierra Canyon will remain on the road this week, heading to face J Serra Catholic in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night. Junior USC commit Madden Riordan collected three interceptions in the Trailblazers’ win last week. J Serra is also set to bring a stout defense to the field, led by the nation’s No. 8 linebacker Madden Faraimo, as well as Arizona State three-star quarterback commit Michael Tollefson leading the offense.

#23 Thompson (Ala.) vs. Grayson (Ga.)

These two southern powerhouses will face off as part of the ESPN High School Football Kickoff on Thursday night, with Thompson — the top team in Alabama — hosting the Rams. The Warriors are led by Auburn four-star EDGE commit Jared Smith and four-star SAF Anquon Fegans (Auburn commit), as well as 2027 QB Trent Seaborn, one of the best sophomore passers in the country. Grayson will counter with a defense led by elite 2026 LB Tyler Atkinson and a stout defensive front.

#20 St. Frances Academy (Md.) vs. Pittsburgh (Pa.) Central Catholic

National powerhouse St. Frances starts off one of the country’s toughest schedules with a showdown against Penn State commit Xxavier Thomas, Duke pledge Bradley Gompers, and talented 2026 linebacker Colsen Gatten, who lead the way for Central Catholic, one of the premier programs in the Pittsburgh area. 2026 top-10 prospect Zion Elee and elite safety Jireh Edwards will be ones to watch for the Panthers.