What we’re watching: SBLive Power 25 high school football games of the week (Week 9)

Last Sunday we released our ninth Power 25 of the 2020 high school football season, a weekly look at the top high school football teams in the country.

Every week, SBLive reporter Connor Morrissette previews the country’s top high school football games with an emphasis on what their results mean for the Power 25. Here’s what we’re watching this week.

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Nicco Marchiol (Hamilton) photo by Annalisa Masunas

Oct. 22: No. 13 Ryan (Denton, Texas) (3-0) vs. Wakeland (Frisco, Texas) (4-0)

In a battle of undefeated teams, look for Ryan to win, but this is still a noteworthy game in Texas. Through three games, Raiders quarterback Seth Henigan has thrown for 491 yards and five touchdowns.

Oct. 23: Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) (2-0) vs. No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) (1-0)

St. Thomas Aquinas overcame a weather delay and slow start to beat TRU Prep academy 25-13 last week and now the Raiders face a good Cardinal Gibbons team. Senior defensive end Dallas Turner, an Alabama commit, is St. Thomas Aquinas' top player. Senior wide receiver Troy Stellato, a Clemson commit, is Cardinal Gibbons' biggest threat.

Oct. 23: Central (Miami, Fla.) (0-0) vs. No. 12. Northwestern (Miami, Fla.), (0-0)

This will be a season opener for the ages between two of the top teams in Florida. Northwestern has six players listed in the top 110 of 247Sports’ 2021 Florida player rankings. Wide receiver Romello Brinson (Miami commit) leads the way at No. 23. He caught eight touchdown passes a year ago. Central has four seniors listed in the top 80 of 247Sports’ 2021 Florida player rankings. Terrence Lewis, a linebacker and Tennessee commit, comes in at No. 6.

Oct. 23: Hoover (Ala.) (9-0) vs. No 18. Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) (9-0)

This is the regular-season game of the year in Alabama between the state's top two teams. The winner will be ranked in the Power 25 and earn the top seed in Alabama's 7A playoffs.

Oct. 23: Mayfield (Ohio) (5-1) vs. No. 24. Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) (6-0)

Archbishop Hoban gets a tough matchup in the quarterfinals of the Division II Ohio regional playoffs this week against 5-1 Mayfield. Hoban has four players listed in the top 55 of the 247Sports 2021 Ohio recruiting rankings. Wisconsin linebacker commit Darryl Peterson is No. 15.

Oct. 23: No. 25. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) (2-0) vs. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) (2-0)

This game is a big one in Arizona between the state's second- and third-best teams. Hamilton has one of the top offenses in the country, led by 2022 quarterback Nicco Marchiol. In Saguaro's 70-14 win over Maricopa last week, six Sabercats scored touchdowns, led by Mason Davies, who caught two touchdown passes. Friday's game will be a high-scoring affair.

Oct. 23: American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) (3-1) vs. Venice (Fla.) (6-1)

American Heritage has one of the best defenses in the country, led by safety James Williams (Miami commit), cornerback Earl Little Jr. and defensive end Marvin Jones Jr. Venice scores a lot of points, averaging 48 per game. This should be a great matchup between two teams on the outside looking in on the Power 25.

Oct. 23: Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.) (2-0) vs. Brother Martin (New Orleans, La.) (3-0)

Archbishop Rummel won a state championship in Louisiana last season. Senior running back Logan Diggs is a key part of the Raiders title defense in 2020. Through two games, the Notre Dame commit has rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Brother Martin is the fourth-ranked team in 5A, according to Crescent City Sports Top 10 statewide football rankings. Rummel is No. 2.

Oct. 23: Acadiana (Lafayette, La.) (3-0) vs. Ruston (La.) (3-0)

Acadiana, the No. 1-ranked 5A team in the Crescent City Sports Top 10 statewide football rankings, takes on Ruston, 5A's No. 8 team. Junior cornerback Laterrance Welch is Acadiana's top player. Senior running back Ke'Travion Hargrove is Ruston's best offensive weapon.

Oct. 23: Davison (Mich.) (5-0) vs. Mona Shores (Norton Shores, Mich.) (5-0)

Davison is in contention to be the No. 1 team in Michigan by the end of the season. Senior quarterback Brendan Sullivan is committed to Northwestern. Look for Davison to win this week, but Mona Shores is a formidable opponent at 5-0.

Oct. 23: St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J) (1-2) vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) (1-2)

Despite having two losses, St. Joseph Regional is still the third-best team in New Jersey. Running back Audric Estime is one of the top backs in the country and will keep St. Joseph Regional in the national discussion all year. Through three games, Estime has rushed for 666 yards and eight touchdowns. He's committed to Michigan State.

Oct. 23: Olentangy Liberty (Powell, Ohio) (7-1) vs. Dublin Coffman (Ohio) (8-0)

Here is the game of the week in Ohio. This Division 1 regional semifinal features two of the top teams in the state. Dublin Coffman has five players listed in the 247Sports state 2021 rankings, led by No. 18 Bryon Threats, a Cincinnati commit who plays safety and running back. Dublin Coffman beat Olentangy Liberty 24-17 on Sept. 4.

Oct. 23: McMinn County (Athens, Tenn.) (8-0) vs. Maryville (Tenn.) (8-0)

This game will help determine the pecking order for 6A playoff seedings in Tennessee. The winner of the 6A state title will have a chance to be in the Power 25 at the end of the season.