ESPN RISE

Game of the Week

St. Xavier (Cincinnati) at Highlands (Fort Thomas, Ky.)
St. Xavier (4-0) has been on a steady climb up the ESPN RISE FAB 50. Even though the Bombers are currently No. 30 and facing No. 27 Highlands (5-0), it might be a surprise if the host Bluebirds win this game, especially with the way St. Xavier has dominated against two other perennial Kentucky powerhouses already this season. Last week, the Bombers routed four-time defending large-school state champ Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 43-13. With Cincinnati-bound senior quarterback Luke Massa leading the way, the Bombers have also beaten St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.) as well as Indiana's No. 1 team Cathedral (Indianapolis).

Highlands, which has won two straight Class 5A state titles, is facing its toughest opponent of the season. If the Bluebirds win, they'll probably end up as a Top 20 team in the FAB 50 this season. Versatile senior Austin Collinsworth, who can play receiver, defensive back and returns kicks, has rushed for 535 yards and has scored 10 touchdowns to lead Highlands. Senior quarterback Will Bardo has passed for 910 yards and six scores.

Player to Watch

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Tom Hauck for ESPN.com

Southlake Carroll QB David Piland will look to return to form after missing a week with an illness.

David Piland
QB, Carroll (Southlake, Texas), Class of 2010
The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior was ill and sat out last week's 56-21 win over Mesquite (Texas). The Dragons will likely need a healthy Piland this week when they travel to Houston to take on Texas power North Shore. Piland is expected to play and will face a 3-1 North Shore squad that lost its only game, 9-7, to defending Class 5A, Division II state champ and FAB 50 No. 32 Katy in the season-opener. Piland, a University of Houston recruit, was superb in the Dragons' first three games -- all wins -- with seven touchdowns passes and nearly 800 passing yards. He also ran for three scores. Piland and the Dragons are 4-0 and ranked No. 24 in this week's FAB 50.

Upset Alert

Crenshaw (Los Angeles) (3-0) at J.W. North (Riverside, Calif.) (2-0)
Crenshaw, ranked No. 45 in the FAB 50, plays its third straight opponent from Southern California's Inland Empire, this time traveling to Riverside Friday. Crenshaw allowed 44 points to Norco (Calif.), which plays in the same league as J.W. North and a team that also relies heavily on the ground game. J.W. North relies on two Division-I-caliber backs in seniors E.J. Schexnayder and Sedale Foster and can also go to the air when needed with Utah recruit Dres Anderson at wideout. Crenshaw will likely need to score big to win again this week, but the Cougars have been able to survive shootouts with Lakewood (Calif.) and Norco thanks to standout juniors De'Anthony Thomas (RB) and Marquis Thompson (QB).

Team on the RISE?

Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
After moving into the ESPN RISE Midwest Regional Rankings this week, the Fighting Crusaders will look to make another jump if they can get past 2-2 Mentor. Notre Dame-bound senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix and junior running back Richie Dyer have Moeller's offense humming through the first four games as the team is averaging 40 points per game en route to a 4-0 start. An Oct, 9 date at FAB 50 No. 3 Elder (Cincinnati) and an Oct. 31 matchup with FAB 50 No. 30 St. Xavier loom, so the Fighting Crusaders will have ample opportunity to prove their worth throughout the fall.

Mark Tennis is a deputy editor for ESPN RISE.