Game of the year incoming? What to watch for Week 7 of high school football in SW Indiana

EVANSVILLE — This Friday should be fun.

There was high drama during Week 6 and this week's slate looks like it might provide more of the same, especially within the Southern Indiana Athletic Conference. For the second time in the last three weeks, two Southwestern Indiana teams with unblemished records will square off against each other. There are three more area games this week in which both teams have winning records.

Let's dive into some storylines to watch for Week 7.

High school football in SW Indiana: Complete coverage from the 2023 season

Memorial at Reitz: Game of the Year in the SIAC?

The Tigers and the Panthers, both 6-0, are ranked inside the top three in Class 4A. This was an important game to note even during the preseason. But given how the stakes have increased, there's no doubt this will be one of the biggest showdowns in the state this week.

Both teams survived scares last week. The Panthers overcame two turnovers and completed a second-half comeback in a 38-17 victory against Castle while the Tigers gave up a long touchdown in the last 15 seconds against Bosse but still held on for the 27-26 win.

One of the main strengths of these two teams resides on defense. They each have only allowed 45 total points this season, good for an average of just 7.5 per game. They also have limited their opponents to 10 points or fewer in 11 of their 12 combined games, including four total shutouts.

So will it be a defensive slugfest when these two teams meet at Reitz Bowl? Or is it going to be a high-scoring affair? Memorial has won six of its last eight meetings against Reitz, and the Tigers have done more of the scoring in recent years. They have outscored the Panthers 281-149 since 2016.

But something has to give this week. And only one undefeated team in Southwestern Indiana will remain perfect when this slate of games end.

It might even decide the SIAC championship.

Vincennes Lincoln's offense looks to power on without Xander Hunt

The Alices' senior quarterback will miss several weeks after a meniscus injury in his left knee but posted to X, formally known as Twitter, that he plans to return from the injury before the season ends.

It's unclear if he'll be ready come Friday against North.

Hunt also missed most of his sophomore season after breaking his collarbone. He has been one of Southwestern Indiana's best football players ever since returning from the injury, totaling nearly 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns in 15 games.

Even with Hunt out of the lineup, Vincennes' running game is solid. BB McCrary ran for a season-high 178 yards in the Alices' 47-0 win last Friday against Harrison — his fourth straight game over 100 yards rushing. Junior Luke Lindsey also had an impressive outing taking over for Hunt as he totaled three touchdowns.

We'll see if the Alices (5-1) can continue rolling on offense when they visit North (4-2). This will be another important game in terms of SIAC standings as the Alices look to stay one game back of the lead. Vincennes hasn't had a 6-1 start in six years when it was still in the Big Eight.

Meanwhile, North seeks third straight win

Let's now focus in on the Huskies, who are also off to one of their best starts in recent memory.

North has a well-rounded team, and its players are in the top five of a few major categories in the SIAC. Seniors Sam McKinney (1,067 total yards, 14 touchdowns) and Cainen Northington (551 total yards, three touchdowns) are among the conference's best passers and rushers, respectively. Two Huskies are also among the top five in sacks — Kaleb Harris (10.5) leads the category while Jayden Hazelwood (four) has added 14 tackles for loss.

North, seeking a three-game win streak for the first time since 2021, has won five of its last six meetings against the Alices.

Week 7: Evansville-area high school football scores, schedule and streaming links

Harrison and Central will meet in a battle of winless teams

One of these teams will leave Central Stadium with a victory this week.

The Warriors and the Bears have combined to lose 26 straight games as Central enters on a 19-game skid while Harrison has lost its last seven. These teams have also struggled with scoring points. The Bears average 7.3 per game; Harrison is at just 3.2 having scored 19 all season.

It looks like history is more on Central's side in regard to this matchup as it seeks its first win under Brandon Artis. Yet, though the Bears have won six of their last seven games against Harrison, they were routed by the Warriors 42-7 last season.

Central went winless last year and could face the same reality this year if it doesn't win on Friday. Maybe it can look to change that with a big game from senior JJ Clark, who has 387 yards and three touchdowns and averages over 18 yards per reception.

In the PAC, Heritage Hills at Mount Vernon is another key showdown

Both teams are coming off three-point losses to other Pocket Athletic Conference Big School Division foes, but they remain in the race considering four teams are tied at 1-1 behind first-place Gibson Southern at 2-0.

Bouncing back this week holds extra importance. The No. 8 Patriots (5-1) are still one of the top teams in Class 3A despite their undefeated season ending in a 31-28 loss to No. 6 Gibson Southern. Meanwhile, the Wildcats (4-2) gave up a late go-ahead touchdown to Boonville and lost 20-17.

This game normally doesn't happen this late in the season. They had played nine consecutive Week 1 openers against each other and many of them were competitive. How will six weeks of football change the outcome this time around?

Heritage Hills has won eight of the last 10 meetings, including a 25-9 victory last season.

Courier & Press sports reporter Treasure Washington can be reached via her email, treasure.washington@courierpress.com, and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Twashington490.

Week 7 Evansville-area high school football schedule

All times are Central.

Castle (3-3) at Jasper (4-2), 6:30 p.m.

Harrison (0-6) at Central (0-6), 6:30 p.m.

Mater Dei (1-5) at Bosse (1-5), 6:30 p.m.

Memorial (6-0) at Reitz (6-0), 6:30 p.m.

Vincennes Lincoln (5-1) at North (4-2), 6:30 p.m.

Forest Park (4-2) at North Posey (5-1), 6:30 p.m.

Gibson Southern (4-2) at Washington (2-4), 6:30 p.m.

Pike Central (1-5) at Tell City (3-3), 6:30 p.m.

Southridge (4-2) at South Spencer (2-4), 6:30 p.m.

Tecumseh (0-6) at Springs Valley (5-1), 6:30 p.m.

Boonville (3-3) at Princeton (1-5), 7 p.m.

Heritage Hills (5-1) at Mount Vernon (4-2), 7 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: What to watch for during Week 7 of Evansville-area IHSAA football