The MSP Game of the Week features a matchup that is the game of the year, every year, for these two schools—and one these players will never forget.

The oldest Catholic school rivalry in the country arrives at the perfect time to put the red-versus-blue debate to rest and ignite the scarlet-and-purple conversations.

For generations, families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers have been divided by this game. The tone of those relationships, especially around the holidays, is often defined by the four quarters played by these young men in the penultimate game of the season.

Anyone who has experienced the spirit of this rivalry knows it is woven into the fabric of both institutions. This year, the stakes are once again enormous, with both teams battling for home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Gonzaga Looks to Shake Up the WCAC Standings

No. 4 Gonzaga enters the matchup at 2-1 in league play following a 30-14 loss to DeMatha, but a victory over the Cadets would create a three-way tie for first place in the WCAC.

Senior QB Jason Lindsay has led the Eagles to victory in each of the past two meetings, and his connection with fellow senior WR Lincoln Shelton makes them one of the area's best quarterback-receiver duos.

In the trenches, Gonzaga relies on senior center Dante Uptgrow to lead a talented, young offensive line that paves the way for do-it-all RB Asheton Burton.

Defensively, senior linebackers Jago Woodards (Army) and Luke Hodgkinson are the heart of the unit, combining for more than 120 tackles and three interceptions. Head coach Randy Trivers will also count on defensive linemen Tyler Frederick, DJ Dockery, and Patrick Shime to control the line of scrimmage and slow down the Cadets' rushing attack.

St. John's Brings a Dominant Defense and Explosive Ground Game

No. 1 St. John's head coach Terrence Byrd, a frontrunner for Conference Coach of the Year, has his team playing an incredibly physical brand of football on both sides of the ball.

The Cadets' defense has yet to surrender a point in WCAC play, and the secondary has been outstanding. Sophomore four-star Jalen Wallace and junior Eli Jacques have been lockdown corners, while senior four-star Tyler Butler-Simpson, Nick May, and Antonio Hubbard anchor the back end of the defense.

Offensively, the Cadets will look to unleash one of the most dangerous running back tandems in the country, featuring Indiana commit Da'Jon Talley-Rhodes and Indiana-offered Japhya Rouson.

Combined with dual-threat QB and team captain Nyeem Woods, St. John's rushing attack is absolutely lethal.

A Rivalry That Rarely Disappoints

Six of the last seven meetings between these programs have been decided by four points or fewer, and the all-time series has been tied at 30-30 since 1970.

This is the premier rivalry in high school sports, and this year's top-five showdown promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter.

Come out and experience the pageantry in person, or tune in as Ken Meringolo and I bring you all the action from the best Catholic school rivalry the sport has to offer.

Saturday, November 7 | 1 PM ET

No. 4 Gonzaga at No. 1 St. John's

Watch the game live, presented by Metro Sports Page on 1st Amendment Sports.