Baltimore’s top high school football team, St. Frances Academy, is set to host the inaugural Overtime Nationals High School Football Championship on December 6, 2023. The event marks a significant milestone for high school football, bringing together elite teams from across the country. St. Frances, ranked No. 1 nationally by Sports Illustrated and second by Rivals and MaxPreps, will face off against Utah’s Corner Canyon High School, which is ranked 23rd by MaxPreps and 22nd by ESPN. The championship game will kick off at 19:00 at Under Armour Stadium in Port Covington and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
St. Frances comes into the game with an impressive record of 8-1 this season, featuring a formidable defense that has allowed an average of just seven points per game. In contrast, Corner Canyon boasts a record of 12-1 and recently secured its third consecutive 6A state title while averaging over 48 points per game on offense. This matchup promises to showcase some of the best talent in high school football.
High Stakes and Promising Talent
The anticipation surrounding this championship is palpable. Messay Hailemariam, head coach of St. Frances, emphasized the event’s significance, stating, “This announcement is bigger than a game; it gives high school football a true championship environment. Our players are energized to make history by competing against the very best in the country and showing the toughness and discipline that defines our program.”
Among the standout players for St. Frances is Zion Elee, a defensive end committed to Maryland and ranked as the No. 2 prospect nationally for the 2026 class by ESPN. He will be joined by safety Jireh Edwards, who will play for Alabama and is ranked 16th in the same class. The duo is poised to lead a defense tasked with containing a high-octane offense from Corner Canyon, featuring quarterback Helaman Casuga, wide receiver Diesel Dart, and running back Weston Briggs.
Elee expressed confidence in his team’s abilities, stating, “What makes our defense so special is how fast we are and how physical. We’re also very disciplined. We got great defensive backs to give us time to get sacks, and it goes backward, too. We get sacks so our DBs don’t have to cover for long.”
Paving the Way for Future Championships
Beyond the immediate excitement of the game, Hailemariam envisions a broader impact on high school football. He hopes that this championship serves as a precursor to a national tournament in the future, stating, “I look forward to seeing what it’s going to do for high school football, and hopefully, this is the beginning of what we’re looking for, to create a national championship tournament.”
As an added incentive, the winning team will receive a donation of $250,000 to its athletic program, further highlighting the stakes involved. The inaugural Overtime Nationals High School Football Championship promises to be a landmark event, setting the stage for future competitions in the realm of high school sports.
For those interested in following the action, the game will be available to watch live on ESPN2, providing a unique opportunity to witness this historic event in high school football.