Early Contenders: Top 10 biggest games of the high school football season

Video: Gorman, Aquinas September showdown
Nevada-Florida matchup headlines look at this season's biggest games.


Aug. 26 | No. 13 Katy (Texas) at No. 26 Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Katy is the defending MaxPreps national champion and is 142-11 over the past decade. But Westlake's Texas QB commit Sam Ehlinger, the reigning MaxPreps National Junior Player of the year, is ready to tango in the first-time shootout.

Aug. 27 | No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) at No. 2 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
This battle is a blockbuster clash early in the season. IMG Academy has an astonishing 29 prospects with Division I offers and a whole lot of firepower. The defensive-minded Rams will rely on their star cornerback tandem of DeAngelo Gibbs and Jamyest Williams.

Aug. 27 | No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) at No. 5 Cedar Hill (Texas)
Bishop Gorman has reeled off seven consecutive Nevada state titles and expectations are sky high once again behind returning quarterback Tate Martell. The Gaels head into a hostile environment here where four-star QB and Notre Dame commit Avery Davis will be waiting.

Sept. 2 | No. 20 Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) at No. 12 Steele (Cibolo, Texas)
Lake Travis three-star QB Charlie Brewer piloted the Cavaliers to the state final a year ago. The entertaining dual-threat stud is capable of putting up big numbers. But Steele has a potent gunslinger of their own in four-star Texas Tech commit Xavier Martin, who drove the Knights to the state semifinals. Lake Travis has won the two battles between the in-state foes, with the last victory coming in 2009 (27-20).

Sept. 3 | No. 21 Centennial (Corona, Calif.)  at IMG Academy
This is a first-time meeting as two coasts collide. Centennial has arguably the most dynamic playmaker in the nation in five-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey, the No. 5 receiver in the country according to 247Sports.

Sept. 9 | Bishop Gorman at No. 9 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
The Gaels vanquished the Braves two seasons ago (34-31) in their lone matchup. But St. John Bosco enjoys home field advantage this time around and has revenge on the mind.

Sept. 23 | No. 8 DeSoto (Texas) at Cedar Hill
This game might be the most anticipated in-state showdown of the season as two Top 10 teams duke it out. Cedar Hill returns an impressive 16 overall starters and may field their best team in school history. The Longhorns own a 6-5 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last two pairings. But the Longhorns will be tested against the electrifying four-star TCU commit in QB Shawn Robinson.

Sept. 30 | No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at Bishop Gorman
It doesn't get much better than a No. 1 vs. No. 3 confrontation, especially when perennial national heavyweights collide for the first time. This might be the best quarterback matchup of the season. Four-star St. Thomas Aquinas QB Jake Allen (Florida commit) goes heads up with the No. 1 dual-threat QB Martell.

Oct. 21 | No. 6 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at St. John Bosco
This is arguably the top matchup in the state of California this season. Mater Dei will ride the arm of the reigning MaxPreps National Freshman Football Player of the year in QB J.T. Daniels. The Braves are a remarkable 41-3 during their last three nationally ranked seasons and are at home.

Oct. 21 | IMG Academy at No.18 Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
This is a highly awaited battle between two perennial in-state heavyweights. Trinity Christian has captured three consecutive Florida Class 3A state titles and five-star do-it-all corner Shaun Wade means business. The series is knotted at 1-1 after meetings in 2013 and 2014.