2015 High School Games Featuring Must-See Recruit Matchups
The 2015 high school football season starts across America in upcoming weeks. Most programs begin competition by Labor Day weekend, embarking on long journeys in search of state championships.
Many of last fall's most dominant high school players are now on college campuses, which sets the stage for a new crop of star prospects to rise to prominence. A highly competitive recruiting landscape also includes a wave of unknown underclassmen who are aiming to claim their piece of the national spotlight.
A fresh slate of high-profile games features several showdowns between elite playmakers on both sides of the ball. Here's a look at some of the marquee matchups to monitor, highlighted by athletes determined to someday make an immense impact in college and beyond.
Houston Westfield (Texas) at Manvel (Texas)
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When It Kicks Off: Friday, Aug. 28
Why It's Must-See
A pair of Texas premier playmakers should cross paths throughout this contest, as Manvel safety Deontay Anderson and Westfield wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland are both 4-star prospects. Cleveland, coming off an MVP-caliber performance at The Opening, should see plenty of targets from teammate and Arizona State quarterback commit Dillon Sterling-Cole, who has 50 touchdown tosses since 2013.
The Manvel offensive attack centers on quarterback D'Eriq King, a 4-star TCU commit who accounted for nearly 4,000 total yards and 59 scores last year. He receives support at skill positions from Ole Miss running back commit D'Vaughn Pennamon, Texas wide receiver pledge Reggie Hemphill-Mapps and sophomore athlete Jalen Preston, a 6'2", 210-pound pass target who already holds scholarship offers from Baylor, Wisconsin, LSU and Michigan.
Expect plenty of compelling battles in the trenches, where Manvel most contend with 5-star Westfield defensive tackle Ed Oliver. The dominant Houston commit will be countered by Missouri pledge Mackenzie Nworah, a massive Manvel offensive lineman at 6'3", 306 pounds.
Peachtree Ridge (Georgia) at Archer (Georgia)
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When It Kicks Off: Friday, Aug. 28
Why It's Must-See
Archer wide receiver Kyle Davis is in the discussion as top overall prospect at his position in the 2016 class. He'll have an immediate opportunity to make that case, operating against an elite Peachtree Ridge defensive backfield.
The highly acclaimed secondary includes 4-star safety Nigel Warrior, Georgia commit Chad Clay and top-ranked 2017 cornerback Deangelo Gibbs. This group is aided up front by impressive junior edge-rusher Kam Jones, who secured his first SEC offer from Mississippi State.
Expect Louisville running back commit Malik Staples to set the tone on offense this season at Peachtree Ridge after he averaged seven yards per carry as a junior, per MaxPreps. Davis and 4-star offensive lineman E.J. Price are the headliners for Archer, but the program also carries a defense that includes Kentucky defensive tackle commit Kobe Smith and Ole Miss linebacker pledge Donta Evans.
In addition, Archer features two of the nation's most intriguing young defensive backs. Juniors Jamyest Williams and Isaiah Pryor, an Ohio State commit, are both 4-star recruits.
Chandler (Arizona) at Bishop Gorman (Nevada)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Aug. 29
Why It's Must-See
Bishop Gorman is flying high following a sixth straight state title and No. 1 national ranking last fall. The team returns abundant talent throughout the depth chart, led by 5-star Texas A&M quarterback commit Tate Martell.
The junior tallied 2,970 total yards, 45 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 2014. He expects to build on that production in an attack that features 5-star wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey and speedy 4-star running back Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali.
"Now I fully understand the offense. I have the ability to check into literally anything on any play, depending on which formation I want," Martell told Bleacher Report. "I think we're going to move the ball a lot this season, and we're going to move it fast."
The Gaels defense isn't exactly lacking for talent, led by 4-star Arizona State cornerback commit Alex Perry and coveted 2017 tackle Haskell Garrett. This unit will be tested as Chandler attempts to keep pace with Bishop Gorman's prolific offense.
Chase Lucas, a 4-star running back, surpassed 1,300 offensive yards during each of the past two seasons, while wide receiver N'keal Harry is Arizona's top-ranked recruit.
Chandler quarterback Mason Moran, an Oregon State commit, also has a weapon in junior wide receiver and rising Pac-12 target Kolby Taylor.
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Miami Central (Florida) at DeMatha Catholic (Maryland)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Aug. 29
Why It's Must-See
You'll be hard-pressed to find more sheer athleticism on one high school football field this season. Both programs are established powerhouses in their respective region and bring a lot to the table yet again in 2015.
Sunshine State universities routinely pluck pledges from Miami Central, and that trend continues with linebacker Waynmon Steed (Miami), defensive end Keir Thomas (Florida State), edge-rusher Eric Mitchell (Florida), offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson (Miami) and safety Jamel Cook (Florida State).
A stout Miami Central defense is matched by three legitimate Power Five prospects along the DeMatha Catholic offensive line—top-rated 2016 guard Terrance Davis, Rutgers commit Elijah Johnson and fast-rising junior tackle Marcus Minor. These big men will attempt to create rushing lanes for 5-star running back Anthony McFarland Jr. and Maryland pledge Lorenzo Harrison.
There are several playmakers in this game capable of taking over in the passing attack, including 4-star wide receivers Darnell Salomon (Miami Central) and Tino Ellis (DeMatha Catholic). DeMatha Catholic can aggressively challenge opponents off the edge thanks to 4-star defensive ends Chase Young and Shane Simmons, a Penn State pledge who picked up 14 sacks last season.
Bishop Amat (California) at Mater Dei (California)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Sept. 5
Why It's Must-See
Bishop Amat boasts arguably the nation's top wide receiver tandem with 4-star USC commits, Tyler Vaughns and Trevon Sidney. These U.S. Army All-Americans combined to catch 121 passes last season, per MaxPreps, tallying 2,118 yards and 15 touchdowns.
They will encounter a stout Mater Dei defense led by 4-star Stanford commit Curtis Robinson. The 6'3", 205-pound linebacker collected more than 20 offers before pledging to the Cardinal this spring.
Mater Dei junior cornerback Jalen Cole may be just as important as Robinson in this matchup. He carries an offer from Colorado State, and a strong effort against Bishop Amat could provide a tipping point in his recruitment, potentially drawing multiple Pac-12 offers.
The Mater Dei offense features elite athletes on the perimeter and inside. Junior Osiris St. Brown and sophomore Amon-Ra St. Brown lead a dynamic group of receivers, while 4-star USC offensive tackle commit Frank Martin fortifies things up front.
IMG Academy (Florida) at DeSoto (Texas)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Sept. 5
Why It's Must-See
This could be the best in Florida against the best in Texas. It doesn't get much better than that in high school football.
IMG Academy clearly has national title intentions after a headline-grabbing offseason that featured the departure of head coach Chris Weinke and multiple marquee transfers. Elite 11 MVP Shea Patterson, top-ranked tight end Isaac Nauta and 5-star defensive end Shavar Manuel are among the new additions.
Patterson, a 5-star Ole Miss commit who threw 38 touchdowns in 2014, inherits a deep receiving corps that features Clemson pledge Tavares Chase and 4-star junior Emmanuel Greene. He'll hand the ball off to future Notre Dame running back Tony Jones Jr., working behind an offensive line led by Ohio State commit Tyler Gerald and 4-star junior newcomer Cesar Ruiz.
Patterson must contend with a DeSoto defensive backfield spearheaded by Texas Tech commit Neiman Armstrong and coveted cornerback A.J. Green. Junior linemen Edward Ingram and Hyrin White handle things up front, and each holds offers.
DeSoto isn't afraid to get into a shootout with IMG's high-powered attack. Quarterback Tristen Wallace missed most of his junior campaign with an injury, but he might be the county's most dangerous dual-threat QB.
The Ohio State commit will count on Oklahoma State running back pledge LaDarren Brown and LSU-bound wide receiver Dee Anderson for offensive support against an intimidating IMG defense. Aside from Manuel, the group includes top-rated inside linebacker Rahshaun Smith, Notre Dame safety commit Spencer Perry and 5-star LSU cornerback commit Saivion Smith.
Junipero Serra (California) vs Centennial (California)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Sept. 5
Why It's Must-See
An early September battle for Southern California supremacy is sure to be a star-studded affair. There are at least two players in the mix who could claim to be a No. 1 overall talent at their position.
Serra defensive end Oluwole Betiku, a recent UCLA pledge, already looks comfortable learning the game after immigrating from Nigeria. He totaled 24 tackles for loss and 12 sacks last season.
Centennial wide receiver Javon McKinley torched opponents throughout his junior campaign, catching 97 passes for 2,062 yards and 25 touchdowns. The 6'2", 203-pound playmaker is weighing offers from Oregon, USC, Tennessee, UCLA and Notre Dame.
McKinley teams up with scintillating Arizona running back commit JJ Taylor to give an explosive Centennial offense some juice. The program's defensive unit features at least four players who could compete in the Pac-12 next year.
Betiku is joined on Serra's defense by several top-tier talents. Rangy 4-star safety Brandon Burton, USC defensive back commit C.J. Pollard and standout sophomore linebacker Merlin Robertson help make this a fearsome unit.
The Serra offense is led by quarterback Khalil Tate, who pledged to Arizona this spring. He exceeded 1,200 yards as both a runner and passer last fall, tallying 34 touchdowns.
Cass Tech (Michigan) at Detroit Martin Luther King (Michigan)
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When It Kicks Off: Saturday, Sept. 26
Why It's Must-See
This is our most anticipated 2015 brawl in Big Ten territory, and it's centered on a pair of Michigan powerhouses. There's a lot to look at in this showdown, but elite 2017 talents may steal the spotlight.
Cass Tech junior wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones is a 5-star recruit and claimed top honors at the Nike Football Ratings Championship in July. Classmates Donovan Johnson and Jaylen Kelly-Powell are defensive backs who both hold SEC offers.
The tandem will be challenged by 4-star King wide receiver Donnie Corley, who is still considering Michigan State, Tennessee, Michigan and Ohio State. He leads an offensive attack that also includes West Virginia running back commit Martell Pettaway.
Penn State pledge Lavert Hill and 4-star junior Ambry Thomas anchor the King defensive secondary.
Though young athletes play pivotal roles, Cass Tech is loaded with senior leadership. Michigan offensive line commit Michael Onwenu, Michigan State safety pledge Demetric Vance and Illinois-bound linebacker Tim Walton lead the charge.
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