After a light schedule last week that featured just three games involving area teams, we are bound to see plenty of action Friday in week seven high school football action.

After seven local squads had open dates last week, only Richlands (1-5) is idle this week.

The game of the week is no doubt the Coastal 5-A/6-A Conference clash between undefeated Croatan and Northside. However, let us not forget Jacksonville’s Big Carolina 6-A/7-A Conference opener against New Bern.

Who wins Friday’s week seven games? Here are my thoughts and predictions: 

Croatan (6-0, 2-0) at Northside (5-0, 1-0)

As if this game needs any build-up, here’s making the obvious proclamation that the Croatan-Northside clash is one of the, if not the biggest game of the season.

Both squads are undefeated and have looked good in the process of winning all their games.

The Cougars are coming off a 38-26 win at Havelock, a victory that should give them a boost heading into the meeting with Northside. The Monarchs have won in different ways, including last week when they overcame a slow start to defeat Richlands 53-0.

Croatan and Northside share one common foe in Topsail. The Cougars defeated the Pirates 40-28 on Aug. 28 while the Monarchs defeated Topsail 46-16 on Sept. 4.

Conventional wisdom says Northside will focus on Croatan’s Andrew Boucher, who has 1,054 yards rushing and nine touchdowns and 11 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns.

That means the quarterback Kannon McBride may need to look to get solid production from receivers Antoine Blunt, Caleb Davis and Hayden Link. If these players have early success, that could open things up later for Boucher.

The Cougars would also help themselves by winning the field position battle.

Conversely, the Monarchs need to avoid penalties. Northside committed 11 infractions for 120 yards at Richlands, which played a part in the Monarchs slow start.

Northside has the potential to strike early as quarterback Reginald Gray III has connected well with receivers Gavyn Davis, Evan Wanga and Jamian Johnson. Still, the Monarchs are at their best when they also run the ball, and Rahlai Anderson and Zion Jones could find success.

The Monarchs lead the series 18-1 with the Cougars’ lone win being a 35-14 win in 2001 in the first meeting. Northside won 30-28 last year.

Prediction: Northside 28, Croatan 17 

New Bern (4-1) at Jacksonville (3-1)

The Cardinals looked like they were following their 42-7 win over East Duplin on Sept. 18. However, after an open date, Jacksonville faces tough New Bern to kick off Big Carolina Conference play.

The Cardinals won the league outright last year after sharing the conference title in 2024. A win over the Bears would give Jacksonville more momentum entering next week’s game at J.H. Rose.

Jacksonville’s key will be to limit New Bern’s Karvin Magwood, who last week rushed for 329 yards and eight touchdowns in a 56-28 win over Hertford County. Jacksonville’s Amari Pearson rushed for 331 yards and five touchdowns on 16 carries in last year’s meeting.

Perhaps this year’s game gets the senior going this season.

The Cardinals have won three consecutive games in this series, including 67-34 last year. The Bears’ last win was a 45-0 home victory in 2022.

Jacksonville leads the series 32-19-1, dating back to 1960.

Prediction: Jacksonville 27, New Bern 20 

East Duplin (4-1) at Southwest (1-4)

East Duplin opens defense of its East Central 3-A/4-A Conference title when the Panthers visit Southwest.

The Panthers have had a long time to reflect and heal injuries following their 42-7 loss at Jacksonville on Sept. 18. The Stallions still look for consistency following a 30-15 loss to White Oak on Sept. 18 that came after a 58-57 win at Dixon.

East Duplin won last year’s meeting 53-12. While the latest encounter may not be that lopsided, the Panthers should win this going away. The Stallions will need to establish early confidence with a score to stay in this game.

East Duplin leads the series 16-13, including 53-12 last year. The Panthers have won five straight with the Stallions’ last win being a 21-14 victory in 2019.

Prediction: East Duplin 27, Southwest 10 

Dixon (2-3, 0-1) at Swansboro (5-1, 1-1)

Swansboro has already recorded its most wins since it was 4-5 in 2021. Now the Pirates look to win a sixth game for the first time since they went 6-5 in 2019 when they host Coastal Conference foe Dixon.

The Bulldogs have dropped the last two, but their single-wing offense keeps them in games. Expect this contest to be competitive for three quarters before Swansboro pulls away down the stretch.

The Pirates lead the series 40-13, including a 20-0 win in the inaugural meeting in 1960. The Bulldogs have won three straight meeting, including 46-30 last year. Swansboro’s last win was a 41-14 triumph in 2022.

Prediction: Swansboro 42, Dixon 28 

Liberty Christian (4-0) at Community Christian (2-3)

Liberty Christian is coming off its third open date, which followed a 62-30 win over Father Capodanno on Sept. 18.

Next up for the Heat is Community Christian, which lost 44-0 to Liberty Christian on Aug. 28. Look for much of the same as the Heat continue its winning ways with little resistance.

Prediction: Liberty Christian 40, Community Christian 0 

D.H. Conley (4-1) at White Oak (2-2)

White Oak opens Big Carolina Conference play against D.H. Conley, which is coming off a 42-21 win at previously undefeated Western Alamance.

White Oak has found offensive success feeding the ball to Tony Hendricks as he’s rushed for 196 and 180 yards in two of its last three games.

However, the Piney Green Vikings will need to find a way to limit the Greenville Vikings’ balanced offense that averages 174 yards rushing and 157 via the air per game.

D.H. Conley leads the series 10-7. White Oak’s last official win was via forfeit in 2012 but it’s last victory on the field was a 54-0 win in 2009.

Prediction: D.H. Conley 28, White Oak 12 

Northside-Pinetown (5-0) at Lejeune (1-3)

Lejeune had an open date last week following a 14-6 win at Bear Grass Charter. Next up for the Devilpups is unbeaten Northside-Pinetown to kick off Coastal Plains 1-A/2-A Conference play.

The Devilpups only average 8.75 points per game, but have stayed competitive with a defense that allowed just 18.25. The Panthers also sport a stingy defense as they allow just 11.2 and score 35.8.

Look for Lejeune’s defense to again put up a good fight. If the Devilpups don’t find anything offensively, they will need to score on special teams or defense to pull off the upset.

The Panthers lead the series 8-2, including a 28-7 win in the first meeting in 1991. The Devilpups’ last series victory was a 24-22 win in 2015.

Prediction: Northside-Pinetown 33, Lejeune 7