What we’re watching: SBLive Power 25 high school football games of the week (Week 19)

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.

On Sunday we released our 20th 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. One or two of the teams involved in each game is on our Power 25 radar. Here’s what we’re watching this week.

Jan. 8: Rider (Wichita Falls, Texas) (10-2) vs. Aledo (Texas) (11-1) (5A Division 2 semifinals)

If Aledo wins out and finishes the season with a 5A Division 2 title, they'll have a strong Power 25 resume. Their top player is senior wide receiver JoJo Earle, an Alabama signee.

Jan. 8: Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial (Texas) (13-0) vs. Cedar Park (Texas) (13-0) (5A Division 1 playoffs)

The winner of this game will stay undefeated and most likely face No. 10 Ryan (Denton, Texas) in the 5A Division 1 state championship. The team that comes out on top in that game will finish the year ranked.

Jan. 9: No. 9 Westlake (Austin Texas) (12-0) vs. No. 2 North Shore (Houston, Texas) (14-0) (6A Division 1 playoff semifinals)

North Shore’s top player is 2021 QB Dematrius Davis, an Auburn signee. He's trying to win his third state title in a row. Westlake has beaten every team they've played this season by at least four scores, but they've played an easy schedule. North Shore is their first real test of the season. This game will tell us a lot about the Chaparrals.

Jan. 9: No. 22 Carroll (Southlake, Texas) (11-1) vs. No. 8 Duncanville (Texas) (10-1) (6A Division 1 playoff semifinals)

Even with 2022 Ohio State commit Quinn Ewers under center, Carroll is an underdog in this game. The Dragons will be without head coach Riley Dodge due to COVID-19 protocols.

Seven Duncanville seniors are ranked in the top 200 of 247Sports’ 2021 in state rankings. Offensive tackle Savion Byrd (Oklahoma signee) leads the way at No. 12. 

Jan. 9: Guyer (Denton, Texas) (11-2) vs. No. 23 Cedar Hill (Texas) 11-1 (6A Division 2 playoff semifinals)

Cedar Hill squeaked by Rockwall-Heath last week in overtime to advance to the 6A Division 2 semifinals. The Longhorns need to win out to stay ranked in the Power 25. Katy (Texas) will most likely await the winner of the Cedar Hill vs. Guyer game. We expect the 6A Division 2 championship in Texas to be a "win and you're in" game for the Power 25.

Jan. 9: Davison (Mich.) (9-0) vs. Catholic Central (Novi, Mich.) (9-0) (Division 1 playoffs)

Davison will be without quarterback Brendan Sullivan in this game because he enrolled early at Northwestern. That definitely hurts their chances at winning Division 1 and moving into the Power 25 at the end of the season.

Catholic Central's top player is Bruno Guberinich, a Central Michigan defensive lineman signee. If Catholic Central wins Division 1, they'll be considered for a Power 25 spot.

Jan. 9: Mona Shores (Norton Shores, Mich.) (9-0) vs. East Lansing (Mich.) (8-0) (Division 2 playoffs)

An undefeated Division 2 state champion in Michigan would definitely be considered for a Power 25 spot. East Lansing's top player is 2021 Michigan wide receiver signee Andrel Anthony. He's caught three TDs this season. Mona Shores was a preseason top ten team in the state.

Jan. 9: Belleville (Mich.) (9-0) vs. Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.) (9-0) (Division 1 playoffs)

Some outlets rank Cass Tech as the top team in Michigan. Can they get past Belleville, another undefeated team in Michigan? Cass Tech has eight players listed in the top 100 of the 2021 instate 247Sports.com player rankings. Belleville’s top player is Damon Payne, an Alabama DT commit. Whoever wins Division 1 in Michigan will be strongly considered for a Power 25 spot.