High school football games to watch: Week 3

Don’t blink, because another week of football will flash before your eyes. For private schools, Friday night and Saturday afternoon will mark the fourth week of the regular season. Public schools are one week behind, but still, it always seems like football season moves at warp speed, sadly enough.

Like any week, we relish the moment. And on Friday night we have a heavyweight slugfest on tap between No. 1 DeMatha and No. 2 McDonogh. Nobody knows when the last time these two teams have met, not even McDonogh head coach Dom Damico, who’s been at the helm for 23 years. Tonight could very well be their first meeting, ever. Either way, Maryland football fans have every reason to drool.

These are arguably two of the best teams in Maryland going head-to-head. Host McDonogh will look to pull off the upset behind Virginia Tech commit, quarterback DeJuan Ellis and a rock-solid offensive line anchored by Maryland commit, Jordan McNair. DeMatha, meanwhile, is charged by Air Force commit, quarterback Beau English and Ohio State commit, 5-star defensive end Chase Young.

Friday night also features another ranked match-up between No. 12 Riverdale Baptist and No. 16 Calvert Hall. On Saturday, we’ll be chronicling the 14th annual Jesuit Gridiron Classic between No. 7 Gonzaga (D.C.) and No. 25 Georgetown Prep. Gonzaga has won the last four meetings.

 

BREAKFAST LINKS

MSA high school football power rankings: Week 2

MSA Game of the Week preview: No. 1 DeMatha vs. No. 2 McDonogh

Good Counsel head coach Bob Milloy gets win No. 400

 

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 1 DeMatha (3-0) at No. 2 McDonogh (3-0) — Friday at 7:00 pm

Computer prediction: No. 1 DeMatha 28, No. 2 McDonogh 20

McFadden’s prediction: No. 1 DeMatha 35, No. 2 McDonogh 31

 

MSA FEATURED GAMES

No. 7 Gonzaga (2-1) at No. 25 Georgetown Prep (2-0) — Saturday at 1:00 pm

Computer prediction: No. 7 Gonzaga 28, No. 25 Georgetown Prep 7

McFadden’s prediction: No. 7 Gonzaga 28, No. 25 Georgetown Prep 21

 

NOTABLE GAMES

No. 3 Good Counsel (2-0) at Gilman (1-1, MSA bubble team) — Saturday at 1:00 pm

Computer prediction: Gilman 28, No. 3 Good Counsel 14

McFadden’s prediction: No. 3 Good Counsel 21, Gilman 7

No. 4 St. John’s (D.C.) (3-0) at IMG Academy (Fla.) (3-0) — Saturday at 7:00 pm

Computer prediction: IMG Academy 38, No. 4 St. John’s 20

McFadden’s prediction: No. 4 St. John’s 21, IMG Academy 20

Capsule: After coming off three statement wins to start the season, the Cadets will travel to Florida on Saturday night with eyes set on upsetting one of the nation’s premier programs, IMG Academy. USA Today has both of these teams ranked nationally, with IMG Academy holding the No. 2 spot while St. John’s checks in at No. 18.

No. 8 Northwest (2-0) at Blair (2-0, MSA bubble team) — Friday at 6:30 pm

Computer prediction: No. 8 Northwest 36, Blair 12

McFadden’s prediction: No. 8 Northwest 42, Blair 21

No. 9 Bullis (2-0) at Woodberry Forest (Va.) (2-0) — Friday at 7:00 pm

Computer prediction: Woodberry Forest 41, No. 9 Bullis 33

McFadden’s prediction: Woodberry Forest 45, No. 9 Bullis 35

No. 12 Riverdale Baptist (2-1) vs. No. 16 Calvert Hall (3-0) — Friday at 7:00 pm

Computer prediction: No. 16 Calvert Hall 28, No. 12 Riverdale Baptist 14

McFadden’s prediction: No. 16 Calvert Hall 21, No. 12 Riverdale Baptist 17

 

PREVIOUS MSA GAME OF THE WEEK’S

Week 0: No. 3 McDonogh 32, No. 5 Gonzaga 29

Week 1: No. 7 Damascus 21, No. 8 Quince Orchard 13 — Highlight video

Week 2: No. 9 Northwest 35, No. 22 Seneca Valley 23 — Highlight video