The high school football playoffs are here, the stakes are high, and heavyweight programs across the country are lining up for season-defining showdowns. From California powerhouses to Southern giants to Midwest rivalries rekindled under the lights, this week delivers one of the strongest slates of the year. Here are the Top 10 biggest games you need to know.
No. 5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) at No. 4 Centennial (Corona, Calif.)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
Two Southern California juggernauts collide in a rematch of their September shootout, when Centennial edged Mater Dei 43–36. The Monarchs (8–2) bring star power with wideouts Chris Henry Jr. and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, tight end Mark Bowman, linebacker Shaun Scott, and defensive back C.J. Lavender Jr. Centennial (10–1) counters with quarterback Dominick Catalano, running back Malaki Davis, receiver Ty Plinski, and a defense anchored by Jaden Walk-Green and Jonathan McKinley II. With both programs eyeing a championship berth, expect fireworks.
Result: Centennial won a thrilling overtime game 28-27, blocking a 46-yard field goal attempt by Mater Dei in the final seconds to seal the victory. This marked Centennial’s second win over Mater Dei this season.
McCallie (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at No. 23 Baylor (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
The Battle of Chattanooga returns with even higher stakes: a trip to the Division II Class AAA state title game. Baylor (10–0) won the regular-season meeting 38–35, but McCallie (10–2) has been on a postseason tear, scoring 100 total points through two playoff games. McCallie is powered by QB Elliott Drapeau, RB Kris Lloyd, and standout OL Moussa Seck, while Baylor rolls in behind QB Briggs Cherry, RB David Gabriel-Georges, and a physical defense led by Braxton Rein and Kolby Barrett. This rivalry always delivers—and this round could be the best yet.
Result: Baylor defeated McCallie 56-35 in their playoff game at Heywood Stadium. Baylor’s junior running back David Gabriel Georges starred with 435 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. This win sends Baylor to the state title game and corrects the prior error about McCallie winning. Baylor had also won their regular season matchup 38-35 earlier in October.
Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) vs. Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
Thursday — Corner Canyon 35, Lone Peak 20 (Final)
Corner Canyon punched its ticket to a seventh straight state championship game with a 35–20 win in this rematch of the 2024 final. QB Helaman Casuga and RB Weston Briggs led the Chargers, while Lone Peak fought behind quarterback Kepa Niumeitolu and standout receivers Kennan and Jaron Pula. The Chargers now chase their third consecutive state title.
Result: Corner Canyon won 35-20.
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) at No. 25 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
Friday, 7 p.m.
One of New Jersey’s fiercest rivalries writes another chapter as Don Bosco (10–0) hosts Bergen Catholic (8–2) with a spot in the Non-Public A championship at stake. Don Bosco won the earlier meeting 14–9 in a defensive slugfest, but Bergen—winner of four straight state titles—won’t go quietly. Don Bosco aims for its first undefeated season since 2011, led by QB Carson Schoen and RB Dante DeLuca. Bergen brings balance behind QB Trey Tagliaferri and RB Najee Calhoun. Expect a war.
Result: Don Bosco Prep defeated Bergen Catholic 21-6 to secure a spot in the Non-Public A championship game.
Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) at Central (Phenix City, Ala.)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
A powerhouse Alabama semifinal features two nationally ranked programs. Central (11–1), No. 37 nationally, has lost only to No. 2 IMG Academy and leans on QB Bobby Coleman and RB Jayshaun Woodhouse. Thompson (9–3), No. 60, has five titles in the last seven years but enters as the underdog. Quarterback Trent Seaborn and a resilient defense will need their best against a Central squad chasing another championship appearance.
Result: Central dominated Thompson 41-14 in the Alabama semifinal.
No. 7 Santa Margarita at No. 19 Orange Lutheran (California)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
Both teams shocked the nation with massive upsets last week—Orange Lutheran taking down No. 4 St. John Bosco and Santa Margarita beating No. 7 Sierra Canyon. Now, a trip to the Rose Bowl is on the line. Santa Margarita features playmakers Trent Mosley and Trace Johnson, while Orange Lutheran counters with QB Reagan Toki, who hit his stride with two TDs last week. These teams have wins over Mater Dei and Centennial between them; this matchup will be intense.
Result: Orange Lutheran won 34-27 in a competitive game for the Rose Bowl berth.
Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.) at No. 2 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
Colquitt County (9–2) enters on a five-game win streak, but standing in their way is undefeated Grayson (11–0), the defending state champions and the nation’s No. 3 team. Grayson hasn’t played a close game since August and is thriving with QB Deuce Smith, who has thrown 10 touchdowns to one interception over his last four games. The Packers will lean heavily on QB Cohen Lawson and RB Jae Lamar against an elite Rams defense.
Result: Grayson continued their undefeated season with a 38-14 victory over Colquitt County .
Elder (Cincinnati, Ohio) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Friday, 7 p.m. — Paycor Stadium
Cincinnati’s classic rivalry returns with a Division I final four berth on the line. Elder won the first meeting 23–13, but both teams survived dramatic comebacks last week. Elder (12–0) rallied from a 23–0 deficit to beat Princeton. St. Xavier (9–2) pulled off a late-game win behind a rushing touchdown from ATH Daniel Vollmer. With quarterbacks Kaden Estep and Jackson Frey leading the way, this one is set for another dramatic finish.
Result: Elder won their rivalry matchup 28-21 to advance to the Division I final four .
Lowndes (Valdosta, Ga.) at North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. — NFHS Network
Two top-100 programs clash for a ticket to the Class 6A quarterfinals. North Gwinnett (10–1) has won 10 straight since an opening loss to Douglas County and features a balanced attack led by QB Elam Rahman. Lowndes (10–1) started 8–0 before falling to Valdosta, and now relies on QB Jayce Johnson and WR Ar’Tavian Brown in its toughest test since early October.
Result: North Gwinnett defeated Lowndes 30-24 in a close contest.
No. 15 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) vs. Pittsburg (Calif.)
Friday, 7 p.m. — NFHS Network
A North Coast Section power clash renews when undefeated De La Salle (11–0) meets Pittsburg (10–1). Last year’s title matchup came down to the wire, with De La Salle winning 10–7 after Pittsburg failed to score inside the 10. De La Salle, seeking its 32nd straight section title, leans on QB Brayden Knight and two-way threat Duece Jones-Drew. Pittsburg, led by QB Carlos Torres and WR R.J. Mosley Jr., has only one loss—to top-100 Archbishop Riordan. Expect another thriller.
Result: De La Salle secured a tight 17-14 victory against Pittsburg to keep their undefeated streak and advance in the North Coast Section playoffs .