RivalsHigh 100 Update | Game of the Week | High School Network

Dallas Jackson
Rivals High Senior Analyst

The first week in October produced many stunning games and as the season rolls on the seperation from the haves and the have-nots is taking shape. This week is rivalry week for several schools in the nation and some to keep and eye on in the seventh week for Weekend Watch 2009.

In Georgia, the Winnersville Classic is set to kick off, No. 38 Valdosta (Georgia) Lowndes is ready to get back in gear against cross town rival Valdosta (Georgia) High. These two teams do not like one another and despite Lowndes winning 8-of-10 this game could be a close contest.

In California No. 57 Lakewood looks to end a winning drought dating back to 1982. Long Beach Poly has not lost a league game in 80 tries but this year could be a difference maker as Poly is replacing all eleven starters from last year and has already lost three games.

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Weekend Watch Westfield v. Oakton

WHEN: Friday 10/9, 7:30 PM LAST MEETING: 10/24/08, Oakton won 30-18. KEEP AN EYE ON: The fourth quarter could be a wild one here as both programs have played tight games week in and week out this season. Oakton has won games by counts of 1, 13 and 14 while their two losses have been 4- and 6-point affairs. Though Westfield is a pedestrian 1-4 right now, they've dropped two one-point games, a 3-pointer and last week's 36-28 loss to W.T. Woodson. STAR POWER: The marquee matchup comes from the quarterback position where Westfield's Class of 2010 prospect Danny Fenyak (6-foot-4, 175) will battle with Oakton's Class of 2011 standout Jimmy Boone (6-foot-1, 185). The Cougars' Boone may have a little bit more help up front as his offensive line returns all five starters including Nick Koutris (6-foot-6, 250) and Sam Strauss (6-foot-3, 270). BEST MATCHUP: The Westfield defense relies upon their quick-to-the-ball linebackers to make plays but if they larger Oakton offensive lineman can consistently get to that second level, the Bulldogs defense could have trouble slowing down the Cougars offense. Equally intriguing will be the matchup between athletic wideout Gary Turner from Westfield who will likely see potential all-state defensive back Andrew Leonard lining up over him. PREDICTION: Since the opening of Westfield, the two teams have met eleven times with Oakton holding a 6-5 advantage but Westfield holds a 2-1 advantage in state championships over that same time period. The two have been at, or near, the top of the Concorde District for several years now and, with conference play opening this week, each needs this win to make a statement showing that they, along with Robinson, are still the team atop the Concorde. It's likely going to be a low-scoring, tightly played contest where one mistake will decide which team wins and which doesn't. So far, Oakton has made fewer than Westfield, so the pick here is the Cougars. Oakton 14, Westfield 10. -- for the best Virginia high school coverage visit VirginiaPreps.com.

Weekend Watch No. 57 Lakewood v. Long Beach Poly

WHEN: Friday 10/9, 7:30 pm LAST MEETING: 12/05/08, Poly won 20-10. KEEP AN EYE ON: How each team handles the opening minutes. Poly has won 80 straight league games and has not lost to league rival Lakewood since 1982. Understandably, they've built an aura of invincibility and will try to capitalize on that from the opening kickoff. On paper Lakewood has the superior talent this season over a Poly team that is undergoing a major makeover from last year. But will Lakewood come out with the jitters and let Poly take control early? If Lakewood scores first, this could get ugly. If not, the Poly dominance may live on for another year - or decade. PLAYER'S TO WATCH: Lakewood's roster is filled with high-level prospects. The best could be Rivals four-star USC bound quarterback Jesse Scroggins who leads the powerful Lancer offense. He'll be joined at USC by four-star DB Dion Bailey who helps anchor the strong defense. Then there are three-star WR Justin Anderson (Arizona State commit) and DT Justin Utupo (Notre Dame). Poly's cupboard is never bare but their talent level is down by their standards. But look out for RB Corey Westbrook and WRs Kaelin Clay and Alex Cannon. BEST MATCHUP: Poly gave up 57 points in its first two games, both losses, but only 28 points in the last three games enroute to a 2-3 record. It'll be interesting to see how they can match up with the high-powered Lakewood offense that averages over 40 points per game. Poly's 6-foot-3, 230-pound LB Richard Smith will need to have a big game, as well as 6-foot-3 204-pound DE Corey Waller. They'll need to put pressure on QB Scroggins and also help contain the running and short passing game. PREDICTION: Last year Lakewood led Poly 10-0 at the half in a CIF semifinal playoff game but lost 20-10. Ever since then the Lancers have been looking forward to this game for payback. After being ranked nationally, Poly started the season by losing three of its first four games. Although Lakewood started the season with a tough 28-27 loss to No. 35 Crenshaw, they've been on a roll - beating the last four opponents by a combined score of 175-14. Poly's slow start has undoubtedly added to Lakewood's confidence, as they feel this is their year to finally come out on top. Lakewood 20, Poly 7 -- for more on California sports visit CaliforniaPreps.com.

Weekend Watch No. 38 Lowndes v. Valdosta

WHEN: Friday 10/9, 8:00 pm LAST SEASON: 10/10/08, Lowndes won 14-7. KEEP AN EYE ON: The big play ability of Lowndes. All year long the Vikings jumped out on their opponents early, scoring on their first play from scrimmage three times in the first six games. Northside-Warner Robins was able to contain Lowndes' playmakers from breaking any big plays, though, forcing the Vikings to pound it out on the ground for four quarters. Northside's defense held Lowndes to single-digit points for only the third time since August of 2007. Valdosta's defense will need a similar effort this Friday if they want a shot at winning. So far this season, the Wildcats have only given up about seven points per game. PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lowndes offers plenty of star power on the defensive side of the ball, such as speedy 2011 DB prospect Tyler Hunter and three-star LB Telvin Smith, but do not count out the talent on offense. With four-star OL/DL Ed Christian up front and the quick strike ability of running back Khary Franklin, Lowndes can beat you inside and outside. Luckily for Valdosta, they have a load of talent on defense, such as DE Jarquez Samuel, athletic safety Malcolm Mitchell, and LB Jermaine Holmes. On offense, Valdosta has one of the state's top 2011 prospects in 6-foot-6 tight end Jay Rome. BEST MATCH-UP: Malcolm Mitchell and anybody else in the Valdosta secondary must be able to provide run support. Lowndes often tries to get outside as quickly as possible on sweeps and pitches, so Valdosta's safeties will have to give the cornerbacks some help. Khary Franklin makes people miss all of the time in the open field, so another body out there will help force the Valdosta run game back inside. PREDICTION Lowndes just came off of a tough road loss to Northside-Warner Robins that should only serve as motivation for the Vikings going forward. That loss knocked Lowndes out of the running for a national championship and Valdosta has the misfortune of being the Vikings' next opponent. But as any Georgia high school football fan knows, anything can happen in this game. The Winnersville Classic is one of the nation's most storied rivalries, and even though Lowndes has gotten the better of the Wildcats eight out of their last ten meetings, things reset with each new season. This year, however, it should be more of the same. Lowndes 20 Valdosta 10. -- for more Georgia coverage visit GaVarsity.com.

Weekend Watch Other Predictions (2009: 34-20)

Game of the Week: No. 7 DeMatha (Maryland) 31 def No. 23 Good Counsel 21 No. 5 Miami Central (Florida) 34 def No. 42 Northwestern (Florida) 31 Coppell (Texas) 27 def No. 63 Southlake Carroll 20 Inkster (Michigan) 44 def Muskegon Catholic Central (Michigan) 10 **Email Request** Oxnard (California) 30 def Ventura (California) 6 **Email Request** Farragut (Tennessee) 20 def Bearden (Tennessee) 6**Email Request** Timpview (Utah) 28 def Timpanogos (Utah) 9**Email Request** Have your game picked next week: Email Dallas Jackson