Top high school football games for Week 7

Here’s a look at the top high school football matchups for Week 7, along with predictions from Michael Murphy:

Last week’s record: 5-5 (.500)

Season record: 43-17 (.716)

SMYRNA (5-1, 3-0 2-6A) AT BLACKMAN (4-2, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Smyrna, tied with Oakland atop the Region 2-6A standings, is coming off a pair of lopsided home victories, outscoring Warren County and Siegel by a combined 88-7. The Bulldogs’ lone defeat is a 21-7, Week 4 setback at unbeaten Independence. Blackman, ranked fifth in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, rebounded nicely from its Week 5 loss to rival Oakland, knocking off previously unbeaten Cookeville 49-28 behind senior running back Taeler Dowdy’s 266-yard, four-touchdown effort. Murphy’s pick: Blackman 42, Smyrna 31.

MCGAVOCK (4-2, 3-0 3-6A) AT RAVENWOOD (4-1, 2-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

McGavock, winners in four of its last five, returns to Ravenwood for the first time since last season’s 46-7 defeat in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs. The Raiders, coming off a 20-17 overtime win against Overton, is led  by senior running back Kendall Johnson, who has eclipsed the 100-yard mark in five times. Ravenwood, ranked fourth in this week’s Class 6A poll, has shown some offensive issues this season, and the Raptors need consistent play from the quarterback position in this matchup of Region 3-6A unbeatens. Ravenwood 27, McGavock 20.

CPA (4-1, 1-0 5-3A) AT STRATFORD (4-2, 1-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Christ Presbyterian Academy, which fell two spots to No. 3 in this week’s Class 3A poll, is coming off its first defeat in 20 outings — a 10-point loss at Ensworth in which the Lions were outscored 24-0 in the second half. They’ll have to regroup quickly, though, as they travel to Region 5-3A foe Stratford, which has now dropped two straight after getting off to a 4-0 start. The Spartans, led by versatile senior Corey Simmons, managed more than 300 yards in last week’s 38-20 loss to Marshall County, but their secondary was picked apart by Tigers quarterback Ashton Posey, who finished with 226 yards and five touchdowns. CPA 35, Stratford 21.

GALLATIN (4-2, 2-1 6-5A) AT BEECH (4-2, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Expect a lot of running in this Sumner County showdown between region foes Gallatin and Beech, who are tied for second in 6-5A. Green Wave junior Jordan Mason already has 990 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Beech senior Rodrick Napper has 763 yards and 12 scores. Gallatin, which is coming off a disheartening home loss to rival Station Camp, surrendered 328 yards and four rushing scores in the 27-19 setback. Beech 35, Gallatin 31.

CLARKSVILLE (5-1, 2-1 7-5A) AT CENTENNIAL (5-1, 3-0) 

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Centennial has impressed since its Week 2 setback at Independence, stringing together four straight double-digit wins, and the Tyrel Dodson-led Cougars, tied with Henry County atop the Region 7-5A standings, limited last week’s opponent, West Creek, to negative yardage in a 42-6 rout of the Coyotes. Clarksville is coming off its first loss — a 28-0 setback at Henry County, which didn’t surrender a single point in September. Centennial 24, Clarksville 17.

DAVIDSON ACAD. (4-1, 0-0 DII-A E/M D1) AT BGA (5-0, 0-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Second-year coach Jonathan Quinn has Davidson County off to its best start since 2009 as the Bears, led by dual-threat senior quarterback Kyle Gilbert, have strung together four straight wins. BGA, ranked fourth in this week’s Division II poll, is coming off a thrilling 28-27 triumph over Page thanks to a crucial two-point conversion stop in overtime. Wildcats quarterback Clayton Beathard, the Midstate’s top passer, has completed nearly 60 percent of his throws for 1,495 yards and 15 touchdowns on the season. BGA 35, Davidson Academy 20.

BRENTWOOD ACAD. (4-1 2-0 DII-AA E/M) AT ENSWORTH (3-3, 1-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Brentwood Academy, ranked second in Division II, has eclipsed the 40-point mark four times, including last week’s 42-30 win over Baylor. The lone exceptions was the 31-13 Week 2 loss to Trinity (Ky.) — a Shamrock squad that had throttled Ensworth 45-0 the week prior. The Tigers, ranked ninth in this week’s Tennessean Midstate Top 10, are coming off a 24-14 win over previously unbeaten CPA. Senior running back Darius Morehead scored a pair of second-half touchdowns for the Tigers, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for just the second time this season. Brentwood Academy 31, Ensworth 21.

MONTGOMERY CENTRAL (4-2, 1-1 6-4A) AT LIPSCOMB (4-1, 2-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Lipscomb has rebounded nicely from its three-score loss to Overton on Sept. 11, outscoring its last two opponents by a combined 80-7 margin. The Mustangs, who lead Region 6-4A, had more than 250 yards rushing and five touchdowns in last week’s 45-7 win over Goodpasture. Montgomery Central, which strung together four straight wins to begin the season, is coming off consecutive home losses to Kenwood and Greenbrier.  Lipscomb 24, Montgomery Central 14.

OVERTON (4-2, 2-1 3-6A) AT MT. JULIET (3-3, 2-1)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

After a less-than-stellar start to the season, which included a 27-0 defeat at Cane Ridge, Mt. Juliet has bounced back to win three in a row, including last week’s 30-3 throttling of rival Wilson Central. Bears quarterback Joey Hayes threw for 842 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception in September. Overton, which had its four-game winning streak snapped a week ago, committed three turnovers in a 20-17 overtime loss to McGavock, including an interception and a pair of fumbles. Mt. Juliet 21, Overton 20.

FORREST (5-1, 3-0 4-2A) AT WATERTOWN (5-1, 3-0)

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Forrest, ranked sixth in Class 2A, has been nearly unstoppable on the ground, piling up 1,804 yards and 28 touchdowns, including a season-high 436 yards a week ago. The Rockets used 12 different ball carries in their 56-17 rout of Cascade — seven of whom found the end zone. Watertown, tied with Forrest atop the Region 4-2A standings, hasn’t gotten quite as much production from its running game, but Purple Tigers quarterback Seth Price has been lights out this season, throwing for 1,222 yards and 17 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Forrest 17, Watertown 14.

The Tennessean Midstate Top 10

Top prep performers from Week 6

AP high school football rankings

Reach Michael Murphy at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @Murph_TNsports.