High school football predictions for Week 7: Can Cape Fear hang with Seventy-First?
Heading into the second half of the season, Week 7 holds several key conference matchups.
Last week's picks record was 7-1, pushing the season total to 29-11. Let's see how we fare this time around.
E.E. Smith (1-4, 0-2 All American) at Harnett Central (2-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
Smith had a shot to pick up its second victory of the season in Monday's game against then-winless Overhills in a matchup postponed due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. But the Golden Bulls fell behind 14-0 and never recovered, falling 26-19.
Harnett Central offers a stiffer challenge, having toppled Westover in Week 6.
The pick: Harnett Central
LANDING PAGE: High school football in Fayetteville: Complete coverage from the 2023 season
MIDSEASON REPORT CARDS: How do Fayetteville's football teams stack up?
NCHSAA UNDER FIRE: NCHSAA responds to NC Senate Bill aimed at stripping power
Terry Sanford (3-2, 2-0 AAC) at Pine Forest (2-3, 2-0), 7 p.m.
The former Patriot Conference and Mid-Southeastern foes have brought their rivalry to the top of the All American, with Pine Forest winning the first two league titles and taking out Terry Sanford both times along the way.
The Bulldogs seem set to take another step this season and unseat the Trojans for their first AAC crown.
The pick: Terry Sanford
Westover (3-2, 0-2 AAC) at Triton (3-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Triton has rolled the momentum of last season's playoff run into a solid start to 2023, but the Hawks still need a signature conference win to reach contender status. They missed a chance to topple Terry Sanford last week, so they'll be hungry for another shot at a league win.
Westover, too, is eager to atone for a two-loss start to league play with both defeats coming by a touchdown or less. If the Wolverines' frenetic defense can contain Triton's three-pronged rushing attack, it'll be a good night for Westover.
The pick: Westover
MIDSEASON REPORT CARDS: How do Fayetteville's football teams stack up?
Cape Fear (4-1, 2-0 United 8) at Seventy-First (5-0, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.
Cape Fear offers yet another challenge to the mighty Falcons, but Seventy-First seems to be soaring higher than any other Fayetteville-area squad this season.
Still, this should be a good game and a nice appetizer for physical, well-coached playoff football. But until someone takes the crown, Seventy-First will keep wearing it.
The pick: Seventy-First
Gray's Creek (3-2, 0-2 U8) at Douglas Byrd 0-5, 0-2), 7:30 p.m.
The Bears got banged around like every other Seventy-First opponent last week, but a Week 7 matchup against Douglas Byrd should help them get back to form.
The pick: Gray's Creek
Purnell Swett (4-1, 1-1 U8) at Jack Britt (2-3, 2-0), 7:30 p.m.
The Bucs need this one to stay in the U8 race, and coach Brian Randolph's young squad has momentum after posting 49 points in each of their last two games. They'll need that boost of confidence to beat Swett, which stormed out to a 4-0 start before falling to Cape Fear last week.
The pick: Jack Britt
Lumberton (0-5, 0-2 U8) at South View (4-1, 1-1), 7:30 p.m.
South View is known for stacking up the wins, and this season is tracking that way, too. The Tigers are off to their best start since 2018 when they fell by one point in overtime vs. Seventy-First in the regional semifinals.
The pick: South View
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville high school football predictions for Week 7
