ESPN RISE

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Josh Magee will look to keep Hoover undefeated as it faces Vestavia Hills.

Game of the Week

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) 6-1 at No. 28 Hoover (Ala.) 7-0
It's the first time this season in which there aren't two FAB 50-ranked teams going up against each other. But some FAB 50-ranked squads do have some difficult challenges in front of them this weekend and the Buccaneers may be on top of that list. Hoover, which is No. 1 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association rankings, is taking on a Vestavia Hills team that is No. 6 and suffered its only loss in a triple-overtime thriller against Pelham (Pelham, Ala.), 38-37. The two share a common opponent -- Spain Park (Hoover, Ala.) and the results could have the Hoover faithful worried. Vestavia Hills topped Spain Park last week 21-10, while Hoover's win over the same team was just 24-21. Both teams are led by highly regarded quarterbacks. Junior Ryan Carter has been effective all season for the Bucs; for the Rebels, senior Ryan Howard hopes to have an eye-opening night with the spotlight on him.

Player to Watch

Matt Perez
RB, Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.)
A 6-foot, 195-pound senior, Perez has been the spark for a dynamic offense at Maine South that is averaging 47.8 points per game. He had 16 carries for 222 yards and four touchdowns in last week's 45-0 romp past Waukegan (Waukegan, Ill.) and upped his season totals to 615 yards rushing plus 13 catches for 233 more yards in receiving. Perez also has scored 12 times. Last season, Perez helped Maine South to the Class 8A state title by piling up 2,600 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns. The Chicago Metro Player of the Year candidate has committed to Indiana. This week, the Hawks face a much stronger opponent in 6-1 Glenbrook South (Glenview, Ill.), whose only loss was a 50-49 setback to undefeated Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.). It figures to be a high-scoring game conducive to Perez and his versatile abilities.

Upset Alert

No. 47 Hightower (Missouri City, Texas) 6-0 at Elkins (Missouri City, Texas) 6-0
Hightower has carried over the success it had in 2008, when the team advanced all the way to the Class 5A, Division I state title game. This year's Hurricanes, however, are a defensive-oriented ballclub, while the offense that has topped 30 points in only half of the games. Other teams have been close heading into the third quarter. Elkins might not have a statement win, but the Knights have experience in close, hard-fought games and some bright stars to lead them, including Texas A&M recruit Jake Matthews up front and wideout Jordan Jolly, one of the state's top pass-catchers who has scored 13 times this year (seven through the air and six on the ground).

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Maine Park RB Matt Perez has scored 12 touchdowns so far this season.

Team on the RISE?

Dr. Phillips (Orlando, Fla.)
While Miami Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) and Miami Central (Miami, Fla.) remain in the FAB 50 with one loss out of Florida's Class 6A ranks, Dr. Phillips is actually the new No. 1 team in the latest Class 6A state poll released by The Associated Press. The Panthers have dominated their competition so far, posting three shutouts in five games and are explosive on offense with Champion Gridiron Kings participant and Florida State Nike Camp MVP Kenny Shaw at receiver as well as slippery junior back Dee Hart and sophomore QB Nick Patti. After crushing district rival Boone (Orlando, Fla.) 47-9 last week, which is the same team that eliminated them last year in the Class 6A playoffs, the Panthers look poised to run the table in the regular season and enter this year's playoffs with a top seed.

Mark Tennis is a deputy editor for ESPN RISE.