All our games this week come from state playoff games. Most are rematches from games played earlier this year. The games get much tighter and harder to pick this time of year. Let us know below how you feel about our predictions and follow us on Twitter @PrepForce1 to stay updated on all the action.
#18 Warren Central at Center Grove
Another revenge game. The fact that this game is being played at Center Grove when they lost the previous game and Warren Central has no in state losses doesn’t seem very fair. That being said Warren Central is the more tested team and should be able to overcome being on the road. Each team has a great starting running back and that should keep this game close. Warren Central showed in their game against St. Xavier that they never give up and that will help them greatly in a game that will come down to the final drive.
Warren Central 21 – Center Grove 20
St. John’s at Gonzaga
A rematch of last weeks game won by Gonzaga. We did a full breakdown last week and got our prediction wrong. We are sticking with St. John’s again in this one as we think revenge will play a huge factor.
St. John’s 35 at Gonzaga 31
St. Xavier vs #5 Colerain
These two rivals often meet in the playoffs and this year is not different. These teams played earlier this year and the game went to overtime. Colerain has improved by way more than St. Xavier since then and should get a fairly easy win.
St. Xavier 13 vs Colerain 23
St. Ignatius vs Solon
The offenses should both be able to score in this game. Both teams have 1 loss coming into the game but St. Ignatius played the much tougher schedule and should pull out the win.
St. Ignatius 36 – Solon 30
Ben Davis at Indy Cathedral
Indy Cathedral has played 3 overtime games in a row. They are either a team of destiny at this point or could come out flat. They are at home and that will help greatly but Ben Davis is the better team and should pull it out. The winner of this game faces the winner of the Warren Central-Center Grove game next week.
Ben Davis 27 at Indy Cathedral 21
#14 Cass Tech vs Saline
Both teams are undefeated but Cass Tech has far more talent led by the best WR in the country, Donovan Peoples Jones. Both teams have great offense but Cass Tech has the clear advantage on the defensive side of the ball and that should be the difference.
Cass Tech 24 vs Saline 17
Grandville at Catholic Central
This is a battle of the #2 and #3 teams in Michigan. Catholic Central is one of the last teams left out of our national rankings. They are at home in this one and their defense should be the difference in what should be a low scoring affair.
Grandville 10 at Catholic Central 20
Christian Brothers vs Blue Springs
A battle of the 2 best teams in Missouri. Even though this is a 6A semifinal game we imagine the winner will bring home the state title next week. Christian Brothers coming off an exciting double overtime win last week while Blue Springs won easily. Christian Brothers has the better resume and they want to avenge last years loss in the state title game. They should pull out a close one.
Christian Brothers 27 vs Blue Springs 23
St. Charles East at Palatine
Both teams come into the Illinois 8A quarterfinals game undefeated and are coming off close games last week. Palatine has had to rely on their defense ever since QB Zach Oles went down earlier this year. St. Charles East runs the option which could give the Palatine defense some trouble. We are expecting another close low scoring affair with Palatine using the home field crowd to lead them to victory. The winner of this game should face Loyola Academy for the 8A title in a few weeks.
St. Charles East 13 at Palatine 17
Bedford vs Merrimack
It’s #1 vs #2 in the state of New Hampshire. This two teams met in the first game of the season. Bedford won that game 24-20 on a final play stop. Since that game Merrimack has cruised through the season with the closet win being by 19 points. Bedford on the other hand, while undefeated, has had a few close games vs similar competition. The revenge factor will be strong in this one and we expect Merrimack to convert that final play to avenge that opening season loss.
Bedford 21 vs Merrimack 23
Image from IndyStar.com