The University of Georgia travels to Alabama next weekend to play one of the biggest football games of the year. Tonight is another big border game, as Georgia’s No. 1 ranked Carrollton Trojans will face Birmingham-based top-ranked Parker of Alabama in a battle of undefeated teams. Carrollton is coming off its most impressive win of the season, a 45-16 home victory over Gainesville. The Trojans opened the season with a 24-14 road win over Woodward Academy and have had home advantage for the last four weeks. Now Carrollton will make a 115-mile trip west to visit the Thundering Herd in a nationally televised showcase on ESPN 2.

There are 16 prospects with three or more stars, and both squads have eight of them. For Carrollton, five-star quarterback Julian Lewis is averaging four touchdowns per game and has the highest completion percentage of his high school career with a strong cast of playmakers – including four-star junior Ryan Mosley. On defense, cornerback Shamar Arnoux is one of the state’s highest-rated seniors and, with his four-star status, also one of the best uncommitted prospects. Arnoux is flanked in the secondary by four-star safety Zelus Hicks (Class of 2026) and Alabama freshman Doran Barney. In the trenches, Carrollton’s offensive line boasts junior four-star interior lineman Zykie Helton.

Carrollton and Parker are both looking to win a title this season, and Parker came up just short of a 12-win season last season that ended with eventual Class 6A state champion Clay-Chalkville. Parker’s top candidate is five-star cornerback and Ohio State freshman Na’eem Offord. The Thundering Herd won’t shy away from using Offord’s elite talent on offense, and he had 10 offensive touchdowns last season in addition to his five interceptions. The Parker defense also features Auburn four-star freshman Jourdin Crawford and Vodney Cleveland, and the safety position will feature the duo of Miami freshman Timothy Merrit and Georgia State freshman Joseph Holt.

How the team handles the spotlight could be a factor, and Carrollton has the upper hand in that regard. The Trojans have already played on ESPN this season in their 24-14 road win over Woodward Academy. For Parker, tonight will be the first nationally televised game.