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Here are our lohud experts' high school football predictions for Week 7

eugene rapay and mike dougherty, rockland/westchester journal news
·8 min read

It's the final week of the regular season for Section 1 Class AA, A and B schools, while the action is still heating up for Class C and D schools and private and Catholic schools in the area.

Here's a look at some of the top matchups this week, and predictions for every Week 7 game.

Last week's prediction results

Mike: 27-6 (173-42 overall)

Eugene: 23-10 (163-52 overall)

It'll be the first Clarkstown North-South game since 2021, when Clarkstown South defeated the Rams, 41-6.
It'll be the first Clarkstown North-South game since 2021, when Clarkstown South defeated the Rams, 41-6.

Clarkstown South (2-4) at Clarkstown North (1-5)

Friday, 6 p.m.

Although the series has been one-sided in recent years, the North-South rivalry remains one of the biggest in Rockland County and Section 1.

The buzz and turnout remains high each year, especially for Friday's showdown, which will be their first in two years. Reclassification split the two rivals up and put the series on hold last year, but now that they're both in Class A and in the same league once again, the Supervisor's Cup is back up for grabs.

Clarkstown South enters with a streak of six straight Supervisor's Cups. Can the Rams pull off an upset at home, or will the Vikings prevail for another year?

Mike's pick: Clarkstown South over Clarkstown North

Eugene's pick: Clarkstown South over Clarkstown North

Rye Neck (6-1) at Putnam Valley (4-2)

Friday, 6 p.m.

Both teams are enjoying massive turnaround seasons and have more wins this year than their last three seasons combined.

Rye Neck went 1-7 last season and is now 6-1. Putnam Valley is undergoing a similar transformation after finishing 2-6 last season.

This will be the biggest game of their seasons. The playoff race is tight in Class B, and current projections have these two teams on the bubble. A win would keep their playoff hopes alive, and depending on the results of other Class B games, they could have a chance to make the eight-team tournament field.

Mike's pick: Putnam Valley over Rye Neck

Eugene's pick: Putnam Valley over Rye Neck

Tappan Zee (5-1) at Spring Valley (5-0)

Friday, 6 p.m.

This could be a preview of the Hudson Valley Football League's final, as both teams have run through the opposition this fall.

Spring Valley boasts a balanced attack, but the Tigers have found most of their success on the defensive side of the ball. They only allowed six points in each of their first three games, and they are entering Friday's matchup with back-to-back shutout victories.

Tappan Zee has also impressed on defense. Outside of a lopsided loss to Westlake, the Dutchmen have posted shutouts in three of their five HVFL games and have allowed only three touchdowns to league opponents.

Mike's pick: Tappan Zee over Spring Valley

Eugene's pick: Tappan Zee over Spring Valley

Somers defeats Mahopac 28-14 in football action at Somers High School in Lincolndale on Friday, September 22, 2023.
Somers defeats Mahopac 28-14 in football action at Somers High School in Lincolndale on Friday, September 22, 2023.

Somers (6-1) at Yorktown (7-0)

Friday, 7 p.m.

The anticipation was already building between these two rivals before the season started, and it's only continued building as both the Tuskers and Huskers piled up victories with each passing week.

Bragging rights, playoff positioning and a league title are all at stake on Friday night. This regular-season finale will have an early playoff-like feel.

Yorktown has won six of its seven games by four or more touchdowns. The Huskers will try to protect their home turf from reigning section and state champ Somers. The Tuskers enter on a six-game winning streak. Friday's game will be a battle.

Mike's pick: Somers over Yorktown

Eugene's pick: Somers over Yorktown

North Rockland's Freddy Vazquez (1) with the carry during their 16-0 win over Suffern in football action at Haverstraw Sports Complex on Saturday, September 30, 2023.
North Rockland's Freddy Vazquez (1) with the carry during their 16-0 win over Suffern in football action at Haverstraw Sports Complex on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

North Rockland (5-2) at Carmel (5-1)

Friday, 7 p.m.

Both teams play a physical style of football on both sides of the ball, so this Friday matchup will be a fun one to watch, especially in the trenches.

The Red Raiders have plenty of players back that haven't forgotten last year's 38-0 playoff loss to the Rams, so expect them to be fired up. Defense has been one of their strong points, and on offense, running back Gamie Sauveur and receiver Ethan Farrar have the capability to break off for a big play.

Carmel has been building momentum and hitting its stride since suffering that early-season loss to Arlington. Offensively, the Rams' power-running style is hard to stop, and they're just as relentless on defense.

Mike's pick: Carmel over North Rockland

Eugene's pick: Carmel over North Rockland

Nanuet won the Little Brown Jug game 31-7 at Pearl River Oct. 7, 2022.
Nanuet won the Little Brown Jug game 31-7 at Pearl River Oct. 7, 2022.

Pearl River (5-1) at Nanuet (4-2)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

The North-South game isn't the only historic rivalry taking place in Rockland this weekend. The Golden Knights lead this series, 39-16-1, and have won the rivalry showdown in each of the last five seasons, but records and past success don't mean a thing when the Little Brown Jug is up for grabs.

Pearl River is looking to hold the Little Brown Jug for the first time since 2017.

Both teams have been solid this season, with their lone losses coming to top Class B contenders Pleasantville and Rye. Nanuet will try to ground-and-pound its way to victory in a physical game, while Pearl River has the ability to mix it up.

This year's meeting should be a lot closer than last season's 31-7 result.

Mike's pick: Pearl River over Nanuet

Eugene's pick: Pearl River over Nanuet

Westlake's Michael Pagan passes during a game with Dobbs Ferfy at Westlake Oct. 13, 2023. Westlake won 8-0.
Westlake's Michael Pagan passes during a game with Dobbs Ferfy at Westlake Oct. 13, 2023. Westlake won 8-0.

Haldane (5-1) at Westlake (5-0)

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Class C and D continue to be a grind, and the Blue Devils will try to put an end to the Wildcats' unbeaten streak on the road.

This is Haldane's biggest challenge remaining on its regular-season schedule, before it takes on Tuckahoe in the Class D championship game. Westlake is coming off of a masterful defensive performance in an 8-0 shutout of Dobbs Ferry, and it will try to replicate a similar effort against the Blue Devils' top playmakers, Evan Giachinta and Ryan Van Tassel.

Westlake has come out on top in three close contests this season, and with the way both teams are playing, this should be another intense, tightly-contested battle.

Mike's pick: Westlake over Haldane

Eugene's pick: Westlake over Haldane

Quick picks

FRIDAY

Ossining (3-4) at White Plains (0-6), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Ossining

Eugene's pick: Ossining

John Jay-East Fishkill (4-2) at Ketcham (1-5), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: John Jay-East Fishkill

Eugene's pick: John Jay-East Fishkill

Byram Hills (3-4) at Lakeland (4-3), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Lakeland

Eugene's pick: Lakeland

Ramapo (1-5) at Panas (1-5), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Panas

Eugene's pick: Panas

Yonkers Force (3-3) at Mamaroneck (4-2), 6:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Mamaroneck

Eugene's pick: Mamaroneck

Eastchester (5-2) at Horace Greeley (2-5), 6:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Eastchester

Eugene's pick: Eastchester

Bronxville (2-3) at Valhalla (3-3), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Valhalla

Eugene's pick: Valhalla

Arlington (7-0) at Suffern (4-2), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Arlington

Eugene's pick: Arlington

Xavier (4-3) at Kennedy Catholic (2-4), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Xavier

Eugene's pick: Xavier

Brewster (2-4) at Mahopac (4-3), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Mahopac

Eugene's pick: Mahopac

Harrison (5-2) at Pelham (1-5), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Harrison

Eugene's pick: Harrison

Rye Country Day (4-2) at Pingry (N.J.), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Pingry

Eugene's pick: Pingry

Pleasantville (6-0) at Nyack (3-3), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Pleasantville

Eugene's pick: Pleasantville

Hen Hud (1-5) at Edgemont (1-4), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Hen Hud

Eugene's pick: Hen Hud

SATURDAY

Ardsley (5-1) at Briarcliff/Hamilton (2-2), 12 p.m.

Mike's pick: Ardsley

Eugene's pick: Ardsley

Chaminade (1-5) at Stepinac (5-2), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Stepinac

Eugene's pick: Stepinac

Albertus Magnus (3-4) at Dobbs Ferry (3-2), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Dobbs Ferry

Eugene's pick: Dobbs Ferry

Tuckahoe (3-2) at Woodlands (0-5), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Tuckahoe

Eugene's pick: Tuckahoe

New Rochelle (3-4) at Yonkers Brave (0-7), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: New Rochelle

Eugene's pick: New Rochelle

Rye (5-2) at Sleepy Hollow (2-5), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Rye

Eugene's pick: Rye

Irvington (0-6) at Hastings (1-5), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Hastings

Eugene's pick: Hastings

Poughkeepsie (1-6) at Port Chester (2-4), 1:30 p.m.

Mike's pick: Port Chester

Eugene's pick: Port Chester

Pomfret (Conn.) (1-2) at Harvey (1-2), 2 p.m.

Mike's pick: Pomfret

Eugene's pick: Pomfret

Hackley (3-3) at Fieldston (3-2), 3 p.m.

Mike's pick: Fieldston

Eugene's pick: Fieldston

Croton-Harmon (2-4) at Peekskill (4-2), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Croton

Eugene's pick: Peekskill

Fox Lane (3-3) at John Jay-Cross River (2-4), 6 p.m.

Mike's pick: Fox Lane

Eugene's pick: Fox Lane

Iona Prep (4-3) at Kellenberg (3-4), 7 p.m.

Mike's pick: Iona Prep

Eugene's pick: Iona Prep

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: lohud high school football: Week 7 predictions