Top 10 Memphis-area high school football games for Week 9
Khari ThompsonGAME OF THE WEEK
Evangelical Christian School (6-1, 3-0 DII-AA West) at St. George's (3-4, 2-1)
DII-AA West region leader ECS travels to St. George's, which is tied for second place with Lausanne and FACS. A St. George's win would put the Gryphons at 3-1 in the region and back to .500 overall. An ECS win means that its regular-season finale with FACS probably will decide the region.
Both teams have FBS-caliber players to watch. St. George's receiver Isaac Smith has committed to Wisconsin. ECS linebacker Austin Hill has committed to Navy. ECS lineman Dietrick Pennington is the No. 10 prospect in the state for the Class of 2021, according to the 247Sports Composite.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: ECS 35, St. George's 21
Kirby (6-1, 2-1 8-5A) at Munford (5-2, 3-1)
The Kirby defense, which has given up just 23 points and posted five shutouts, faces its toughest remaining test of the regular season. Munford has won five of its past six, with the loss being by one point to Southwind in overtime.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Kirby 42, Munford 24
Fayette-Ware (6-1, 1-0 8-4A) at Millington (6-1, 1-0)
Fayette-Ware and Millington are tied for first in Region 8-4A. Millington has won five in a row since falling to rival Munford. Fayette-Ware has scored 30 or more on each opponent except Bolivar Central.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Millington 28, Fayette-Ware 21
East (6-1, 5-0 8-1A) at Middle College (5-2, 4-1)
East, which was winless at the Class 4A level last season, is in first place in Region 8-1A. This week the Mustangs take on Middle College, which has posted three shutouts.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: East 35, Middle College 28
Briarcrest Christian (7-0) at Cordova (3-4)
Briarcrest, coming off a bye week after a close win over Christian Brothers, faces its only Class 6A opponent of the season. Cordova has lost four of its past five and been held to 14 points or fewer in all but two of its games. Briarcrest has put up 35 or more in all but two of its games.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Briarcrest 31, Cordova 17
South Gibson (6-1, 3-0 7-3A) at Covington (6-1, 2-1)
Covington hosts region leader South Gibson in a key 7-3A matchup. Last time out, Covington was held to a touchdown in its lowest-scoring performance of the season; the Chargers have scored 34 or more in every other game.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Covington 38, South Gibson 31
Olive Branch (5-2, 3-0 MHSAA 1-6A) at Southaven (2-5, 1-2)
This game features three members of The Commercial Appeal Dandy Dozen – Olive Branch offensive lineman Xavier Hill, Southaven offensive lineman Kahlil Benson and Southaven defensive back Caleb Offord. Olive Branch’s Jevon Banks, a three-star Mississippi State defensive line commitment, is also a player to watch.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Olive Branch 28, Southaven 14
KIPP (2-5) at Houston (7-0)
The most KIPP has scored in a game was 26 in a win over Hamilton. The least Houston has scored was 28 in a win over Bartlett. Can Lincoln Pare top last week's 363-yard, five-touchdown performance?
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Houston 50, Kipp 7
St. Benedict (2-5, 0-3 DII-AAA West) at Christian Brothers (4-3, 1-2)
Christian Brothers nearly upset Briarcrest at home last week. St. Benedict has won two of its past four, but the losses were 57-0 to Briarcrest and 44-7 to MUS.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Christian Brothers 35, St. Benedict 14
Southwind (4-3, 3-1 8-5A) at Brighton (2-5, 1-2)
Since starting out 1-2, Southwind has won three of its past four. Brighton has a region win against Kingsbury but has been beaten by 35 three times.
When: Friday at 7 p.m.
Thompson's Pick: Southwind 24, Brighton 17
Last Week: 9-1
Season: 60-20 (0.75)