By Jon Mahoney, Special to SI.com, Rise
SEPT. 8 St. Joseph's (Philadelphia) at Don Bosco (Ramsey, N.J.) The traditional powers are loaded at QB: Matt Simms of Don Bosco, Chris Whitney of St. Joe's.
SEPT. 8 Union (Tulsa) vs. Jenks (Okla.)* Since heating up in the mid-1990s, this is arguably the best high school football rivalry in the nation. These two teams have combined to win every Oklahoma Class 6A title since '96.
SEPT. 9 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)** A battle between two of Ohio's top teams will showcase RBs Frank Edmonds of St. Edward and Darius Ashley of St. Xavier.
SEPT. 15 St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) at Canyon (Calif.) Will St. Bonny's defense penetrate Canyon's offensive line and stop RB J.J. DiLuigi?
SEPT. 16 Lakeland (Fla.) vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati)*** This is the marquee matchup of the 18-team Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge.
SEPT. 22 Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.) at St. Bonaventure (Ventura, Calif.) In terms of pure talent, this could be the game of the year: the high-powered Oaks offense against St. Bonaventure's stingy D.
SEPT. 29 John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) at Hoover (Ala.) Hoover has plenty of star power, but can its stout defense stop John Curtis's all-everything RB-WR-KR-DB Joe McKnight?
OCT. 7 Mission Viejo (Calif.) at De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) Revenge will be on De La Salle's mind after the Spartans' 36--26 loss last year.
OCT. 26 Lufkin (Texas) at The Woodlands (Texas) This matchup between two of Texas' top teams will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
OCT. 28 McKinley (Canton, Ohio) at Washington (Massillon, Ohio) In the 114th meeting of this rivalry, Washington must stop RB Morgan Williams.
* At Skelly Stadium in Tulsa ** At Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati *** At Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati
Issue date: August 28, 2006
