Here is a look at the top games of the week, with their
FOX Sports NEXT Top 50 ranking, as well as their top prospects to watch.
GAMES OF THE WEEK (9/13-9/15)
Friday - September 14: Bergen (N.J.) Catholic vs. Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop
Gorman at 7:30 p.m.
Gorman will take on their third out-of-state program in their first three
games, and they're already 1-0 against East Coast teams (beating Good Counsel
from Maryland in the opener).
Bergen Catholic has a number of talented prospects in the 2013 class, namely safety Kyle Queiro (Northwestern) and offensive lineman Richard Queen (UMass), as well as a top 2014 prospect in defensive end Garrett Dickerson (10 offers).
Arizona commit Anu Solomon has been outstanding in the early part of the season, with
both his arm and his legs. 2014 star Nathan Starks will lead the Gaels defensively. Lorenzo Fertitta, who's committed to Villanova, has
been excellent to start as well, and Ryan Smith also made some bigtime plays for the Gaels offensively. Justin Sweet provides a huge boost for the Gaels defensively as well.
Friday - September 14: #19 DeSoto (Texas) vs. Euless (Texas) Trinity at 7:00
p.m.
Trinity is known for their great defensive line play and they're once again loaded in the trenches. Massive defensive end Sam Tevi -- 6-foot-5, 270 pounds -- has committed to Utah. On the other side of the line, 6-foot-5, 245-pound Gaius Vaenuka has scholarship offers from Arizona State, Missouri, TCU and Utah, among others. Junior defensive tackle Hafoka Olie is an absolute load in the middle and is expected to be one of the top underclassmen in the region. On the offensive side of the ball, tight end Jason Reese is an Arizona State commit, the fourth player from Trinity in the last six years to announce for the Sun Devils.
DeSoto's Oregon running back pledge Dontre Wilson and 2014 quarterback Desmon White proved to be a deadly combo- White accounting for three touchdowns, rushing for 175 yards, passing for 188; Wilson with two scores, including a 94-yard punt return to break open the second half.
Friday - September 14: #24 Miami (Fla.) Central at #1 Bradenton (Fla.) Manatee at 7:30 p.m.
ET
This game features two of Florida's finest.
Manatee won their fifth state title a year ago (7A) and it was Miramar's second trip to the state title game in three years (won in 2009). Manatee that has garnered more of the national headlines heading into the season and they certainly return more proven talent. Quarterback Cord Sandberg is committed to Mississippi State and is just about as good as a team can do at this position in the nation. He is smart, athletic, clutch, and accurate. He is also now experienced. Anthony Lauro will get the ball no matter where he lines up (WR/RB), and wide receiver Ja'Quan Pollack is capable of making the big play. Defensively Derrick Calloway(DT), Demarcus Christmas(DT-2014), Blake Keller (DE-UCF commit), and Marquis Dawsey (DE) make the defensive line dominant. Physically huge. Calloway is sitting on around 10 BCS and Christmas looks like he will be even more heavily recruited. There is plenty of talent in the back 7.
Central has two of the top 2014 running backs in the country in Joseph Yearby and Dalvin Cook. Both have numerous big-time offers, but both are committed – Yearby to Florida State and Cook to Clemson. Other 2014 prospects to watch are offensive tackle Trevor Darling (Miami commit) and cornerback Deatrick Nichols. Leading the way in 2013 are safety Ahmad Thomas (Oklahoma commit), linebacker Marquez Hodges (Syracuse commit), cornerback Da’Wan Hunte (North Carolina State commit), and defensive end Chris Herise.
Friday - September 14: #34 Sammamish (Wash.) Skyline at Couer d'Alene (Idaho)
Two of the top programs in the Pacific Northwest, with Skyline taking to the
road for a second week in a row against an out-of-state power.
The Spartans have won three of the past four 4A state titles, the highest
classification in Washington (and four out of the last five in two classifications), and last year,
Scout.com's No. 1 ranked quarterback, USC commit Max Browne, carried the Spartans to the 4A state title. The USC verbal won't be alone, though, having Washington State pledge Peyton Pelluer leading the Spartans defense.
Nic Sblendorio has been his main go-to-guy.
Couer d'Alene has won the last two 5A state titles in Idaho, the highest
classification in that state, and features one of the top tight ends in the West
in the 2014 class, Chase Blakley. In his first year as the starter, 2014
quarterback Gunnar Amos leads the Vikings, and they're off to a 3-0 start.
Up front, the Vikings feature Jeremiah Hazard and Matt James.