Week 7 Top 10 area games: Unbeatens face stiff tests to begin October slate
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We are past the halfway point of the season, and the race for the playoffs is starting to heat up.
We combed through the Week 7 slate and picked out 10 games you need to have on your radar, with playoff implications hanging in the balance.
Spotlight Game: Friendship Christian (5-1, 2-0 DII-A Middle) at DCA (4-2, 2-1)
Our spotlight game heads to Donelson as DCA hosts Friendship Christian in a key region battle.
Both teams enter the matchup on three-game winning streaks and remain in strong positions within the region. These offenses are high-powered and capable of putting up points in a hurry.
The Wildcats are led by King Gardner, while the Commanders feature a trio of Blake Walford, Ryder Wolcott and Nathan Brogdon.
It should be a fun matchup as both teams look to make their mark on the region.
Ensworth (3-3, 1-0 DII-AAA East) at Knoxville Catholic (5-1, 0-1)
Ensworth managed to knock off McCallie two weeks ago but has since dropped games to Lipscomb Academy and Brentwood Academy by a combined 59 points. This could be the week the Tigers get back on track as they travel to Knoxville.
After a two-and-a-half-hour drive, though, it will be no easy task. Knoxville Catholic returns home after traveling to Alabama and knocking off No. 8 Hoover (MaxPreps) on a Hail Mary.
Ensworth’s EJ Gibson will play a big role in getting the Tigers going, while Knoxville Catholic’s Braylen Gibbs looks to build off the incredible week he had previously.
FRA (4-2, 2-1 DII-AA Middle) at Goodpasture (6-0, 3-0)
Goodpasture remains undefeated and looks to defend that perfect record against a highly touted FRA team led by four-star linebacker Omarii Sanders.
The Panthers are coming off a loss to state-ranked BGA, while Goodpasture and Chase Angell kept their perfect season alive with a 27-0 shutout of Columbia Academy.
The Cougars’ defense has proven to be one of the best in the state, but it will be tested as Jack Nimitz and the Panthers’ offense come to town.
Gallatin (6-0, 2-0 Region 4-6A) at Mt. Juliet (3-3, 0-1)
Michael Stroup and the Green Wave have been on a roll since Week 1 and head to Mt. Juliet looking to keep that streak alive after a Mayor’s Cup win.
Mt. Juliet enters the matchup with two wins over out-of-area opponents and is searching for its first region win. The Golden Bears have quietly improved as the season has progressed, while Gallatin has done so in a more dominant fashion.
Mt. Juliet’s offense will be tested by Gallatin’s senior linebacker duo of Preston Mooney and Jason Morton, who have combined for 66 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and six sacks, while also finding the end zone.
Hillsboro (4-2, 0-0 Region 5-5A) at Nolensville (6-0, 1-0)
More undefeated teams make their way into our top 10 games of the week as Nolensville puts its perfect record on the line.
The Knights’ rushing attack has been dominant behind Ryan Newell and Tristen Lithmexay, while the defense has pitched two shutouts over the last two weeks. Hillsboro will look to challenge Nolensville on its home turf.
The Burros have shown flashes throughout the season under head coach Jamaal Stewart and could make a statement against the undefeated Knights.
Liberty Creek (5-1, 1-0 Region 6-4A) at Springfield (5-1, 0-0)
Two of the region’s best take center stage in Springfield as Liberty Creek travels to face the Yellow Jackets.
The Wolves have taken down tough opponents in Gordonsville and Whites Creek, but Springfield will be their toughest test yet.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a 24-21 loss to Pearl-Cohn and know they cannot afford to fall behind against Liberty Creek. The Wolves’ rushing attack has impressed, with Marsia Hale and Antonio Cunningham combining for more than 600 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Springfield, however, is more than capable of putting up numbers. Five-star Jermaine Cobbins and emerging star Amiron Leavell have combined for more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns.
Keep an eye on this one.
Ravenwood (4-2, 2-0 Region 6-6A) at Independence (3-3, 3-0)
Ravenwood has slowly found its way back into the win column, riding a three-game winning streak while playing impressive defense. The Raptors have held their last three opponents to a combined 14 points.
Independence quarterback Matthew Horner has been stuffing the stat sheet with 1,383 passing yards and 15 touchdowns as the Eagles remain unbeaten in region play.
This should be a strong battle on both sides of the ball.
The winner puts itself in position to lead the region and potentially earn a home playoff game.
Riverdale (5-1, 3-0 Region 3-6A) at Smyrna (4-2, 3-0)
More region battles continue as Riverdale travels to Smyrna for a matchup between two unbeaten teams in the region.
Smyrna has put together a historic season under head coach Mark Williams, while Riverdale has been nearly unstoppable over the past five weeks under Gavin Hampton.
Smyrna quarterback AJ Jackson has thrown for 1,091 yards and nine touchdowns while adding six rushing touchdowns.
The real question will be whether the Bulldogs’ defense can hold up against Riverdale’s trio of Luke Tritch, Brylan Oduor, and Gavin Hampton.
Station Camp (2-4, 0-0 Region 6-5A) at Beech (5-1, 1-0)
Beech has been rolling since Week two and remains undefeated in region play as the Buccaneers welcome a feisty Station Camp team.
The Bucs’ offense has been nearly unstoppable since adding DK Williams, while Station Camp has also shown the ability to move the ball despite dropping its last three games.
The game plan is clear for Beech: contain Colton Overbey and establish the run.
Overbey has been one of the best quarterbacks in the area, totaling more than 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns.
White House Heritage (3-3, 1-0 Region 5-3A) at Whites Creek (4-1, 1-0)
Whites Creek gets another region matchup after handling Westmoreland 32-7 last week.
White House Heritage has experienced plenty of ups and downs throughout the season and looks to get back on track with a win over a strong Cobras team.
This will be a battle between quarterbacks as Xavier Murray and Deon Barnes face off.
Both defenses will have their assignments as they look to contain two talented quarterbacks.
Follow us on X @615Preps and vote who you think will win each of these matchups this week, then tune in to 615 Preps LIVE on Wednesday at 7 p.m. for our picks. You can watch live on YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram Live or on TikTok.
