Games to watch in Week 7 of Oregon high school football
By René Ferrán
Here is a look at the top high school football games across Oregon this week (Oct. 13-15).
Photo by Leon Neuschwander
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Central Catholic (5-1, 4-0 Mt. Hood) at Barlow (3-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. Thursday
The Bruins are the last team with a chance to forge a tie atop the conference standings with the two-time defending 6A state champion Rams. Barlow is coming off a last-second loss to Nelson. Central Catholic has allowed two touchdowns in four MHC games.
North Salem (4-2, 2-2 SD1) at Sprague (3-3, 2-2), 7:15 p.m. Thursday
Two of the state’s top recruits in Vikings junior quarterback TC Manumaleuna II and Olympians senior Drew Rodriguez meet in a game that has serious playoff implications. Sprague sits No. 30 in the OSAA rankings and can ill afford a loss.
Sherwood (4-2, 2-0 Pacific) at Newberg (4-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. Thursday
A year ago, these teams entered the Highway 99W rivalry game a combined 0-8, with the Bowmen using their 23-17 victory as a springboard to becoming the first team to reach the 6A quarterfinals after starting a season 0-4. This time, they’ve combined for eight wins, with the Tigers needing a victory to keep their Pacific title hopes alive.
Santiam (4-2, 3-1 Tri-River) at Colton (6-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. Thursday
Can the Wolverines slow the Vikings Express? Colton averaged 43.8 points per game in starting 6-0 for the first time since 2007. What happened to the Vikings in Week 7 that season? They lost 15-12 to Dayton.
Sheldon (6-0, 4-0 SD1) at North Medford (4-2, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday
The Black Tornado will turn to senior JT Knobloch-Scott at quarterback in their showdown with the Irish, the No. 1 team in the media rankings after posting their fourth shutout in six weeks against injury-depleted South Medford last Friday.
South Medford (5-1, 3-1 SD1) at Grants Pass (4-2, 2-2), 7 p.m. Friday
The Panthers were without several starters last week and were shut out for the first time in a regular-season game since 2014. They’ll look to get back on track against the Cavemen and win a fourth consecutive game against their longtime Southern Oregon rival.
Tigard (6-0, 2-0 Three Rivers) at West Linn (5-1, 2-0), 7 p.m. Friday
These Three Rivers titans have had some memorable matchups in the past few years. Can either find a way of slowing the other team’s offense? The Lions are No. 2 in Class 6A at 41.7 points per game, while the Tigers rank No. 4 at 40.2.
Tualatin (5-1, 1-1 Three Rivers) at Lake Oswego (4-2, 1-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Timberwolves look to rebound from last week’s 42-30 loss to West Linn and avenge their Week 6 defeat to the Lakers last season — their only regular-season loss, which dropped them into a three-way share of the league title.
South Albany (4-2, 4-2 Mid-Willamette) at Dallas (4-1, 4-1), 7 p.m. Friday
Eighteen months ago, the RedHawks limped into Dallas during the COVID-shortened spring season and left 50-6 losers. This week, they’ll come to town in the middle of a heated conference race that features five teams battling for four automatic playoff spots.
Wilsonville (4-2, 1-0 NWOC) at Southridge (5-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Skyhawks enter needing a win to keep their chances of earning one of the conference’s four playoff spots alive. Their task isn’t easy against the Wildcats, whose only losses this season are to Tualatin and Summit.
Henley (6-0, 3-0 Big Sky) at Marshfield (5-1, 3-0), 7 p.m. Friday
The first of three games in three weeks that will decide the conference title takes place along the Oregon Coast, where the Hornets look to avenge last fall’s 4A quarterfinal loss to the state champion Pirates.
Scappoose (5-1, 2-0 Cowapa) at St. Helens (3-3, 1-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The 100th edition of the 7-Mile War sees the two rivals battling for position in the 4A Cowapa after spending four years competing in the 5A NWOC. The Lions need a win to maintain any hopes of forging a tie for the league title, while Scappoose looks to keep pace with fellow league unbeaten Tillamook ahead of their Week 8 showdown.
Banks (6-0, 3-0 Coastal Range) at Yamhill-Carlton (5-1, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday
After nine years apart, these longtime rivals renew acquaintances now that Banks dropped to 3A this year. Banks has won six in a row in this series that will see this year’s winner seize control of the league title race.
Coquille (4-2, 4-2 Far West) at South Umpqua (6-0, 6-0), 7 p.m. Friday
Last year’s 2A state champions arrive in Myrtle Creek coming off a short week, having lost Saturday at Lakeview to put their playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. A loss to last year’s 3A runner-up would leave them needing to win their final two games — including a Week 9 matchup with St. Mary’s (5-1) — to clinch their spot.
Santiam Christian (6-0, 4-0 PacWest) at Dayton (5-1, 3-1), 7 p.m. Friday
The Pirates’ only loss came to No. 1 Kennedy three weeks ago, and they need to hold serve at home against the Eagles to keep alive their hopes of winning a second consecutive conference title. Santiam Christian needs a win to keep pace with the Trojans ahead of their Week 9 showdown in Mt. Angel.
Siletz Valley (5-1, 4-0 SD2-North) at Triangle Lake (6-0, 4-0), 7 p.m. Friday
There is no easy way to get from Siletz Valley in the foothills above Newport to tiny Blachly in the Coastal Range, but it’ll be worth the trip to watch two of the top six-man programs in the state battle for the division title.
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