Top 10 Memphis-area high school football games for Week 7
Khari ThompsonGame of the week
Wooddale (5-1, 1-0 8-3A) at Melrose (4-2, 2-0)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Melrose is on track for its best season since 2015. Quarterback Charles Grandberry and defensive back Tajuan Johnson have been leading the way. The Golden Wildcats have matched last year's win total and host defending region champ Wooddale. The winner becomes the only team in the region without a loss.
Wooddale's only loss came on the road at Briarcrest. Quarterback John Jones led the region in passing last season. His younger brother, running back Charles Jones, has been having a breakout year.
Thompson's pick: Wooddale 38, Melrose 17
Briarcrest Christian (6-0, 3-0 DII-AAA West) at Christian Brothers (4-2, 1-1)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
This is Briarcrest's last region game before its regular-season finale with MUS on Nov. 1. If Briarcrest wins, the only way the Saints can lose the region is to lose to MUS. If Christian Brothers wins, the region race gets a whole lot tighter.
Four-star lineman Omari Thomas, Ole Miss running back commitment Jabari Small and Tulane defensive back commitment Reggie Neely are players to watch for Briarcrest. Running back Al Wooten has been key for Christian Brothers.
Thompson's pick: Briarcrest 35, Christian Brothers 21
Bartlett (4-2, 1-0 7-6A) at Houston (5-0, 1-0)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Houston comes off a bye week to face region foe Bartlett, which fell to White Station 28-19. Houston has scored at least 36 points on every opponent. Bartlett has yet to score 36.
Thompson's pick: Houston 42, Bartlett 14
ECS (5-1, 2-0 DII-AA West) at Lausanne (2-3, 2-0)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Three-time defending region champ Lausanne has won 18 region games in a row since 2016 and has outscored this year's region opponents 93-7.
But ECS, which fell to Lausanne in last year's DII-AA quarterfinals, has beaten all opponents except Houston, including last week's win over Class 6A Collierville.
Thompson's pick: ECS 28, Lausanne 24
Collierville (3-3, 0-0 7-6A) at Cordova (3-3, 0-1)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
These teams started off 2-0 before losing three of their last four. Collierville has yet to win on the road. Cordova has yet to win at home. The quarterbacks, Collierville's Mitch Austin and Cordova's Cameron Wimberly have shown that they can lead their teams to close victories.
Thompson's pick: Cordova 28, Collierville 21
Munford (4-2) at Ridgeway (3-3)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Ridgeway has won three in a row, vaulting to the top of the region. Last week's win over Southwind went to overtime. Are the Roadrunners in for another down-to-the-wire game against Munford, which beat Southwind 35-34?
Thompson's pick: Ridgeway 21, Munford 17
Central (2-4, 0-0 8-6A) at White Station (4-2, 0-0)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
White Station opens region play with Central, which fell 23-14 to Christian Brothers last week. The Spartans beat Christian Brothers 13-7 earlier in the season.
Thompson's pick: White Station 28, Central 17
Millington (5-1) at Craigmont (2-4)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Millington quarterback Tommy Clifton showed that he is a threat to run the ball in last week's 41-34 win over FACS, rushing for 295 yards and six touchdowns. Craigmont running back Mike Cashaw has had some big performances.
Thompson's pick: Millington 42, Craigmont 21
Freedom Prep (6-0) at Westwood (2-3)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Freedom Prep posted its fifth shutout with a 63-0 win over Memphis Business Academy. Westwood has been held to 14 points or less in all three losses.
Thompson's pick: Freedom Prep 35, Westwood 0
Arlington (4-2) at Brighton (2-4)
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Arlington beat Sheffield 51-6. The Tigers' two losses have been blowouts to Houston and White Station. Brighton has wins over Kingsbury and Raleigh-Egypt.
Thompson's pick: Arlington 25, Brighton 17
Last week: 7-3
Season: 43-17 (.717)