Top 10 Memphis-area high school football games for Week 4
Khari ThompsonGame of the week
ECS (3-0) at Houston (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Houston's offense is averaging 42.5 points. ECS' defense is giving up 4.3 points. Whichever unit plays closer to its average will make the difference in the game.
All-state running back Lincoln Pare of Houston has seven touchdowns, including two from last week's 45-0 win over Bolton. ECS' Austin Hill, an Army linebacker commitment, was the DII-AA West defensive player of the year last year.
Thompson's pick: Houston 31, ECS 24
Whitehaven (3-0) at Brentwood Academy (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Whitehaven earned an impressive 23-0 win over North Little Rock (Ark.) last week. Brentwood Academy has won four straight DII state titles, but the Eagles fell to McCallie 28-23 last week.
According to the 247Sports Composite, the game will feature the state's top three linebacker prospects in four-star Bryson Eason and Arkansas commitment Martavius French of Whitehaven and Brentwood Academy's Devyn Curtis.
Thompson's pick: Whitehaven 28, Brentwood Academy 14
Melrose (3-0) at MUS (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Melrose won just four games last season. The Golden Wildcats have an opportunity to match that total this week. But the Owls, which beat rival Christian Brothers by double-digits last week, have won each game by an average of 27.6 points.
Thompson's pick: MUS 45, Melrose 24
White Station (2-1) at Christian Brothers (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
White Station lost by a point to Hernando last week. Christian Brothers fell to MUS despite gaining over 400 yards of total offense.
Thompson's pick: Christian Brothers 35, White Station 24
Montgomery Bell Academy (1-2) at Briarcrest Christian (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Briarcrest dominated Pope John Paul II with a 40-7 road victory. Montgomery Bell Academy shut out St. Benedict 42-0. Don't be fooled by the Big Red's record, as the two losses came by less than a touchdown against Super 25 teams in Brentwood and Pearl-Cohn. Briarcrest has yet to face a Super 25 opponent.
Thompson's pick: Briarcrest 28, MBA 24
Oakland (3-0) at Germantown (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Defending Class 6A state champion Oakland hits the road to take on Germantown. The Red Devils fell to DeSoto Central 35-14 in a game that was postponed a day due to a power outage.
Thompson's pick: Oakland 42, Germantown 14
Fairley (3-0) at Hernando (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Hernando picked up its first win against White Station. Fairley has outscored its opponents 134-13. Fairley's Terry Wilkins scored three touchdowns in the first half of the Bulldogs' 60-0 win over KIPP.
Thompson's pick: Hernando 31, Fairley 28
Central (1-2) at Bartlett (3-0)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Central earned its first victory of the season with a 35-28 win over Collierville. William Mason completed 6 of 9 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns The Warriors will be the first Class 6A opponent of the season for Bartlett, which beat Overton 35-14.
Thompson's pick: Central 27, Bartlett 21
Lausanne (1-1) at Cordova (2-1)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Both teams suffered an early blowout loss against an out-of-state opponent. Lausanne fell to Mayfield (Ky.) 45-22 in Week 1, and Cordova fell 39-13 to South Panola last week. Lausanne bounced back with a 44-7 win over FACS. Cordova has already beaten a pair of 6A opponents in Central and Germantown.
Thompson's pick: Cordova 31, Lausanne 28
Freedom Prep (3-0) at Harding Academy (1-2)
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
Freedom Prep has shut out all three of its opponents, including last week's 45-0 win over MASE. Harding is coming off of a shutout loss against ECS.
Thompson's pick: Freedom Prep 31, Harding 21
Last Week: 8-2
Season: 21-9 (.700)