Every weekend, reminders pop up of the physical toll football exerts on every player on the field.
Last Friday, dried blood was spotted on a few Hartland and Howell players' jerseys after an overtime battle between two of Michigan high school football's most physical teams. It ended on a blocked extra point from a cast worn by Howell's Bryce Kish, who played with a broken finger.
On Saturday, Novi Detroit Catholic Central quarterback Duke Banta, in the midst of another strong season, left for X-rays after a hard collision in a 31-12 win over Toledo Central Catholic.
Attrition makes depth as important as speed or size. A scheme cannot save you if you don't have the kids to execute it at a high level. Depth gets tested in the final weeks of the regular
season as teams try to prepare for or sneak into the 32-team playoff field in their respective MHSAA division.
This is also the time when conference races are decided. In a big Week 7, plenty of games will determine who gets to call themselves a champion over neighboring school districts or who has the inside track. In other spots, teams are in must-win positions if they want to keep playing football on Halloween weekend.
Here is a look at five of the best games in Week 7 of the 2026 Michigan High School football season. The Free Press will be in Orchard Lake for the top-five showdown between St. Mary's and CC, the defending Division 1 and 2 state champions.
Other top games include Muskegon vs. Muskegon Mona Shores; Belleville vs. Northville; Hudsonville Unity Christian vs. Zeeland West; Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills vs. Battle Creek Harper Creek; Madison Heights Lamphere vs. Warren Fitzgerald and Almont vs. Macomb Lutheran North.
Michigan high school football Week 7 game predictions
All games kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday unless listed otherwise.
No. 5 Orchard Lake St. Mary's (5-1) vs. No. 2 Novi Detroit Catholic Central (6-0), St. Mary's High School
Banta's injury changes the equation in the matchup between the Catholic High School League's top teams. CC backup quarterback Peyton Sofran has plenty of experience at the position, but played receiver before Banta's injury. I think Sofran will be solid like he was against TCC, and CC's balanced offense will help. It is certainly a tough first start, though. OLSM has won four straight games by an average margin of 37 points since its triple-OT loss to Detroit King. The offense is experienced and explosive, led by quarterback Jabin Gonzales, who is playing some outstanding ball this season. The pick: OLSM 28, CC 24.
No. 13 Caledonia (5-1). vs. No. 4 East Kentwood (6-0), Caledonia High School
This is a collision between two of West Michigan's best. East Kentwood has dominated a good schedule, with their closest win coming by three touchdowns over Grandville and Rockford. Caledonia has not lost on the field, but has a tally in the loss column because of a Week 1 forfeit stemming from an ineligible player. This will be a great under-center matchup between EK's Colin O'Connor and Caledonia's Bryce Backus, two of Michigan's top uncommitted senior quarterbacks. No one has slowed down East Kentwood so far, and I don't think this is the week it starts. The pick: EK 38, Caledonia 21.
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No. 22 Gibraltar Carlson (6-0) vs. Brownstown Woodhaven (5-1), Carlson High School
Carlson came into the season with plenty of new starters at key positions, but the Marauders picked up right where they left off with a perfect 6-0 start. Woodhaven lost by one point in a low-scoring struggle against Allen Park, dropping them to third in the Downriver League, but have rebounded with convincing wins over Wyandotte and Dearborn Edsel Ford. Freshman quarterback Austyn Lawrence has been solid to start his Carlson career behind an experienced offensive line anchored by Sam Przytula. Carlson will put themselves in pole position for another Downriver League title. The pick: Carlson 31, Woodhaven 21.
South Lyon (4-2) vs. South Lyon East (6-0), South Lyon High School
South Lyon East, ranked No. 9 in Division 2, is first in D-2 MHSAA playoff points at this point of the year because of the Cougars' great start under first-year coach Mark Nowicki. The players have embraced the process and fundamentals, leading to their first-place standing in the 12-team Lakes Valley Conference. South Lyon rebounded from an overtime loss to North Farmington with a convincing win last week. Despite SLE's record, I have more faith in SL to pull a close one in front of what should be a large home crowd. The pick: South Lyon 27, South Lyon East 21.
No. 8 Howell (6-0) vs. Brighton (4-2), Howell High School
Howell plays two big rivalry games in back-to-back weeks at home. Last Friday, they survived Hartland in overtime. Brighton will present a different challenge with a balanced offense capable of attacking with quarterback Dom D'Agosta through the air and running back Dom Nauss. But the Bulldogs have been bitten by rushing attacks before, and Howell has one of the state's best. The pick: Howell 42, Brighton 28.
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Jared Ramsey covers high school sports for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jramsey@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan high school football Week 7 game, score predictions
