The concluding edition of the Top 10 Games of the Week for the 2024 season showcases some epic playoff clashes, including a highly anticipated matchup in Texas where No. 3 Duncanville faces No. 9 North Crowley (Fort Worth) this Saturday in the Class 6A Division 1 semifinals.
Duncanville is just two victories away from clinching its third consecutive state championship. The Panthers boast an impressive roster, featuring standout players like five-star quarterback Keelon Russell and superstar wide receiver Dakorien Moore. Russell has accumulated 3,874 passing yards and 51 touchdown passes, while Moore has recorded 67 catches for 1,322 yards, scoring 18 touchdowns along the way.
On the other side, North Crowley’s offensive unit, among the most dynamic in the nation, is led by Colorado-bound wide receiver Quentin Gibson. The three-star athlete has made quite an impact this season with 81 receptions, totaling 1,721 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Over in California, the No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) is set to take on No. 21 De La Salle (Concord) in the Open Division state championship on Saturday evening. Mater Dei aims to secure its fifth state title, while De La Salle seeks its eighth, hoping to put an end to a seven-game streak of losses in state final appearances.
In North Carolina, an exciting semifinal showdown in the Class 4A division features undefeated Grimsley (Greensboro) going head-to-head with defending champion and No. 24 Weddington (Matthews), who are currently on a remarkable 19-game winning streak.
Also noteworthy is the clash between Edna Karr (New Orleans) and Alexandria in Louisiana’s Division I Select state championship this Saturday at Caesars Superdome. While Edna Karr has won six state titles, Alexandria is striving for its first ever.
Additionally, the clash between No. 13 Lakeland and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) highlights one of three state championship games in Florida included in this week’s Top 10. This matchup marks the seventh time these two schools have faced each other in the title game, with Lakeland leading the series 5-1.
Top 10 Football Games of the Week
1. No. 3 Duncanville (Texas) vs. No. 9 North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas)
Saturday, 3 p.m. (All times local) at Eagle Stadium – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top Players
Duncanville: QB Keelon Russell (6-4, 190), WR Dakorien Moore (6-2, 185), WR Zach Turner (6-3, 215), LB Nehemiah Borner (5-11, 200), DL K.J. Ford (6-3, 240)
North Crowley: WR Quentin Gibson (5-9, 170), OL John Turntine (6-4, 305), OL Henry Fenuku (6-3, 285), LB Jonathan Cunningham (6-2, 200), QB Chris Jimerson (5-11, 175)
Russell improved his postseason record to 16-0 following a 31-13 victory over Bridgeland (Cypress) last week, giving him an impressive overall record of 42-1. North Crowley has been formidable with a 28-1 record over the past two seasons, their only setback coming in last year’s semifinals against Duncanville with a score of 52-10. The winner will advance to contend against either No. 6 North Shore (Houston) or Westlake (Austin) at AT&T Stadium on December 21 for the Class 6A Division 1 championship.
2. No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) vs. No. 21 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.)
Saturday, 8 p.m. at Saddleback College – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top Players
Mater Dei: RB Jordon Davison (6-0, 215), DL Nasir Wyatt (6-2, 210), OL Kodi Greene (6-6, 300), WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (6-3, 180), DB Daryus Dixson (6-0, 180)
De La Salle: DL Matthew Johnson (6-5, 250), RB Derrick Blanche (5-8, 175), RB Dominic Kelley (6-0, 195), DL Myah Telona (6-2, 270), ATH Jaden Jefferson (5-9, 160)
Mater Dei aims to finish the season with nine victories over teams ranked in the Top 25. The Monarchs recently triumphed over No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) with a close score of 31-24 in the Southern Section Division 1 championship, which marked their first one-score game this season. Meanwhile, De La Salle secured its championship spot after a narrow 7-3 victory against Pittsburg in the North Coast Section Open title game, marking the program’s 32nd consecutive section championship. Historically, Mater Dei has faced De La Salle twice in state championship games, winning both encounters, with scores of 52-21 in 2017 and 35-21 in 2018.
3. No. 24 Weddington (Matthews, N.C.) at Grimsley (Greensboro, N.C.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top Players
Weddington: Linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. (6-2, 205), defensive lineman Trajen Odom (6-4, 285), defensive lineman Aiden Harris (6-5, 255), linebacker Braeden Barger (6-1, 225), and defensive lineman Andrew Harris (6-2, 225).
Grimsley: Quarterback Faizon Brandon (6-4, 200), defensive lineman Bryce Davis (6-3, 240), running back Mitchell Summers (5-8, 175), athlete Kaden Catoe (6-0, 165), and tight end D.J. Howerton (6-4, 220).
Weddington’s defense is highly impressive, allowing only 8.7 points per game, while Grimsley, with the top-ranked player in Class of 2026 under center in Brandon, has been explosive, averaging 47.8 points per game. Last year’s meeting saw Weddington hand Grimsley its sole defeat in the quarterfinals. The winner of this clash will advance to face Rolesville or Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh) in the 4A state championship on December 20.
4. Edna Karr vs. Alexandria
Saturday, 12 p.m. at Caesars Superdome – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top Players
Edna Karr: Defensive lineman Richard Anderson (6-4, 300), wide receiver Taron Francis (6-2, 205), defensive back Aiden Hall (6-2, 185), quarterback John Johnson (6-0, 180), wide receiver Oliver Mitchell (6-3, 175).
Alexandria: Running back J.T. Lindsey (5-11, 185), quarterback Karsen Sellers (6-1, 170), wide receivers Darius Washington (5-8, 165) and Jimmie Duncan (5-11, 180), linebacker Xzavier White (6-2, 210).
Anticipate an exhilarating showdown in the Superdome as Edna Karr and Alexandria, the top two teams in Louisiana, vie for the Division I Select title. Edna Karr is looking for its first state championship since 2019, while Alexandria aims to secure its first title ever after an undefeated regular season. These teams met last year in the quarterfinals, with Edna Karr claiming a 40-34 victory.
5. No. 13 Lakeland vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Pitbull Stadium – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top Players
Lakeland: Linebacker Malik Morris (6-1, 225), defensive backs Keon Young (6-0, 170), Sammy Etienne (6-1, 185), Jermichael Gillis (6-1, 170), wide receiver Shanard Clower (5-10, 170).
St. Thomas Aquinas: Wide receiver Julius Jones (5-11, 165), defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick (6-2, 190), wide receiver Ah’mari Stevens (6-0, 170), linebacker Travares Daniels (6-2, 200), running back Cedric Wyche II (5-10, 200).
Both teams faced intense challenges to reach the 5A state championship. Lakeland triumphed in a thrilling three-overtime game against Niceville, while St. Thomas Aquinas overcame a halftime deficit to secure a narrow win over Manatee. With St. Thomas Aquinas aiming for back-to-back titles, this is a matchup you won’t want to miss.
6. No. 6 North Shore vs. Westlake
Saturday, 2 p.m. at Legacy Stadium
Top Players
North Shore: Defensive back Devin Sanchez (6-2, 170), quarterback Kaleb Bailey (6-2, 190), linebacker Charles Ross (6-2, 210), wide receivers Quanell Farrahkan Jr. (5-11, 185) and Deion Deblanc (5-10, 180).
Westlake: Linebacker Elliott Schaper (6-3, 210), quarterback Rees Wise (6-2, 215), tight end Brody Wilhelm (6-5, 220), defensive back George Jones III (6-0, 180), and defensive lineman Cullen Devine (6-3, 230).
North Shore is on the verge of another trip to the Class 6A Division 1 state championship, a feat they hope to achieve for the sixth time in seven years. This semifinal clash marks the latest chapter in their rivalry, which has seen North Shore lead the series with a 3-1 advantage.
7. Pittsburg vs. Lincoln
Friday, 8 p.m. at Saddleback College – Watch Live on NFHS Network
As the playoffs progress, these matchups promise excitement and high-stakes football, showcasing impressive talent and unforgettable moments. Make sure to catch all the action!
Top players
Pittsburg: DB Jadyn Hudson (6-2, 180), DL Jewelous Walls (6-3, 225), RB Jamar Searcy (5-8, 180), WR Kenneth Ward (5-8, 175), QB Marley Alcantara (5-10, 180)
Lincoln: QB Akili Smith Jr. (6-5, 215), WR Ty Olsen (6-2, 190), RB Aden Jackson (5-11, 200), DB Cammeron Purnell (6-1, 180), WR Courtney Miller-Thompson (5-10, 165)
Both Lincoln and Pittsburg faced challenging confrontations last week but managed to secure victories. Lincoln found themselves down 27-14 against Newbury Park in the fourth quarter but rallied by scoring 20 points without reply in the final 10 minutes to clinch a 34-27 win. Similarly, Pittsburg overcame a 21-0 deficit against Folsom, scoring 28 consecutive points to finish the game 28-27 in their favor. Historically, the Pirates are 0-2 in state championship showdowns, previously losing to Narbonne (Harbor City) in 2017 and Liberty (Bakersfield) in 2022. In contrast, the Hornets have a record of 1-1 in title matches, with a loss to Menlo-Atherton (Atherton) in 2018 and a win over De La Salle in 2022.
8. No. 23 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) vs. Jones (Orlando, Fla.)
Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Pitbull Stadium – Watch live on NFHS Network
- 40 American Heritage
- 31 Jones
Top players
American Heritage: WR Malachi Toney (5-10, 165), RB Byron Louis (5-11, 200), DB Gregory Xavier Thomas (6-2, 190), WR Brandon Bennett (6-0, 170), LB Dylan Bennett (5-11, 210)
Jones: QB Dereon Coleman (6-1, 160), WR Vernell Brown III (5-11, 170), WR Larry Miles (6-0, 175), RB Jaquail Smith (6-1, 185), LB Quimaine Myers (6-1, 220)
American Heritage has navigated the season without their star quarterback Dia Bell, who suffered a leg injury in the playoffs’ second round. Four-star wideout Malachi Toney stepped in to throw 12 of 15 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-28 win against St. Augustine last week. They now look to face an undefeated Jones team led by one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Coleman has had a standout junior year with 3,238 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 303 rushing yards with one additional score. This marks Jones’ second appearance in a state title game, with their previous loss occurring against Northwestern (Miami) in the 5A championship of 2019.
9. Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) vs. Summerville (S.C.)
Friday, 2 p.m. at Oliver Dawson Stadium – Watch live on NFHS Network
- 35 Dutch Fork
- 21 Summerville
Top players
Dutch Fork: LB Josh Smith (6-2, 210), WR Boykin Bickley (6-2, 175), QB Ethan Offing (6-0, 190), DB Elgin Sessions (6-0, 180), RB Maurice Anderson (6-0, 205)
Summerville: WR Jaiden Kelly-Murray (5-11, 180), RB Jayven Williams (5-8, 160), QB Jaden Cummings (6-0, 185), DL Yasir Smith (6-5, 265), ATH Keshon Washington (6-0, 220)
Under the leadership of head coach Tom Knotts, Dutch Fork has experienced an impressive run and makes its ninth consecutive appearance in the state title game. The Silver Foxes boast a record of 7-1 in these games, with their only defeat coming in 2021 against Gaffney. They have consistently won each game this season by at least 10 points, with their narrowest victory being a 24-14 win over Irmo (Columbia). Summerville seeks its 13th state championship title, its first since 1998. The two teams have met seven times since 2006, with Dutch Fork emerging victorious in each encounter.
10. No. 19 Venice (Fla.) vs. Lake Mary (Fla.)
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. at Pitbull Stadium – Watch live on NFHS Network
Top players
Venice: WR Winston Watkins Jr. (5-10, 175), RB Gata Wilder (5-9, 180), RB Dorien Irving-Jones (5-11, 180), LB Landon Marsters (6-3, 210), DL Asharri Charles (6-3, 225)
Lake Mary: QB Noah Grubbs (6-5, 190), LB Luke Prieto (6-1, 195), WR Carson Friedman (5-11, 175), RB Isaiah Thomas (5-10, 175), LB Eli Straker (5-9, 185)
Venice’s lone defeat this season came from a close 21-16 contest against No. 18 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). They have triumphed over three teams currently competing for a Florida state title this week: Cocoa, Northwestern (Miami), and Clearwater Central Catholic (Clearwater). Lake Mary’s two losses were heartbreaking, one in overtime to No. 13 Lakeland and another against Dr. Phillips (Orlando) by a score of 26-21. They recently eliminated Dr. Phillips with a 24-13 victory in the 7A semifinals. Grubbs, who has committed to Notre Dame, has thrown for an impressive 2,781 yards and 34 touchdowns this season.