Here are the top eight Knoxville area high school football games for Week 7 of the 2026 TSSAA football season, with our predictions.
Game of the Week
No. 13 Anderson County (4-2, 3-0 in Region 2-4A) at No. 12 Gibbs (5-1, 2-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 1
After an 0-2 start to the 2026 season, Anderson County has rebounded with four consecutive wins with 40 or more points scored. Gibbs' defense, meanwhile, has only allowed 40 points to Alcoa. The Eagles have held opponents to 14 points or less in their past three games. Anderson County's offense will rack up yardage, but any turnovers will add stress to the defense.
Prediction: Gibbs 38, Anderson County 34
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Knoxville area's remaining top games
Farragut (1-5, 1-2 in 2-6A) at No. 14 Hardin Valley (4-2, 1-2)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 1
Farragut earned its first
win of the season in its rivalry game against Bearden, 10-0. Hardin Valley had little trouble dropping 48 points on the Bulldogs, and after its Week 6 loss to Maryville, the Hawks will be searching to rebound with another key region win.
Prediction: Hardin Valley 43, Farragut 13
Ensworth (3-3, 1-0 in DII-AAA East) at No. 3 Catholic (5-1, 0-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
Catholic continues to win at the buzzer. The Irish completed a hail mary to Alabama commit Braylen Gibbs to defeat Hoover (Alabama), 20-17. Their only loss was in a 34-7 blowout to Montgomery Bell Academy. Ensworth's offense has struggled in the past two weeks, mustering just 14 points in a loss to Lipscomb and failed to score against Brentwood Academy in Week 6.
Prediction: Catholic 21, Ensworth 17
West (2-4, 1-2 in 2-5A) at Clinton (3-3, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
West's offense sputtered with just 10 points in their loss to Halls. Any chance of clinching a playoff spot would include shutting down Clinton quarterback Mason Eckerson, who accounted for 438 total yards of offense and five touchdowns in the Dragons' win over Campbell County.
Prediction: Clinton 33, West 26
McMinn County (4-2) at No. 8 Central (5-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
Central had two chances to either beat Powell or extend its 42-41 loss into double overtime. Its reward is facing a solid McMinn County team, featuring one of the best defensive players in the area in Carson McDaniel. The Cherokees' offense has also reached above 50 points in two of its last three games, meaning the Bobcats could be embroiled in another high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Central 36, McMinn County 30
Heritage (2-4) at William Blount (0-6)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
Heritage and William Blount have traded the Battle of the Bell trophy back and forth in the past few seasons. William Blount won the rivalry last year, but the Governors have yet to win in 2026. Their defense has allowed 40 or more points in five of six games, which bodes well for a Heritage offense coming off a 37-20 win over Carter.
Prediction: Heritage 27, William Blount 20
No. 1 Alcoa (6-0, 3-0 in Region 2-4A) at South-Doyle (5-1, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
Alcoa hasn't faced a significant challenge since its Week 1 victory at Maryville. South-Doyle has had an impressive start to the season, but upsetting the Tornadoes would be the biggest shock of the 2026 season.
Prediction: Alcoa 42, South-Doyle 21
Boyd-Buchanan (4-1, 2-1 in DII-AA East) at No. 6 Grace Christian (5-0, 3-0)
When: 7 p.m., Oct. 2
Grace Christian begins a stretch of four straight competitive games with the reigning DII-AA East champion, Boyd-Buchanan. The Buccaneers' felt former coach Gary Rankin's absence in their 49-0 loss to Lakeway Christian earlier this season. They'll have to contain a Grace offense with myriad options. The Rams have five players with three or more touchdowns scored this year, including senior running back and receiver Terrion Thomas.
Prediction: Grace Christian 37, Boyd-Buchanan 27
Overall prediction record: 38-10
Wynton Jackson covers high school sports for Knox News. Email: wynton.jackson@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Anderson County-Gibbs football renews rivalry to top Knoxville area Week 7 predictions
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