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Prior to the start of every high school football season, it's a custom for fans to pick up the yearly schedule and circle "must-see" regular season games.
Rarely do those matchups eventually live up to the preseason hype, especially when they take place in the latter stages of the regular season.
A single loss here or there can diminish the importance of an October game that was labeled a must-see in August. Injuries happen. Transfer rules can alter a team's entire look once we reach the midpoint of the season. It's a crazy scenario, but it's the reality of high school football in 2026.
However, two games circled back in August will be played tonight, and the hype and excitement surrounding those games is stronger tonight than it was two months ago.
After playing three straight games on the road, Girard (6-0) returns to Arrowhead Stadium tonight to host Northeast 8 Conference rival South Range (6-0). A year ago, the Indians snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Raiders with a wild 56-35 road win. Girard eventually went on to dethrone South Range from its five-year reign atop the NE8 standings.
Girard enters tonight's game averaging 46.8 points per game. South Range is scoring at a clip of 50.3 ppg.
Making the game even more intriguing is the fact that many of the same players who were involved in last year's shootout will be back on the field tonight, including junior quarterbacks AJ Pearson and Nick Toy.
Pearson led the Girard offense last year against South Range by completing 19-of-22 passes, including six for touchdowns. Toy threw for three TDs.
Earlier this week, Girard coach Pat Pearson told a Tribune reporter, "I know it's going to sound like a coaching cliche, but it's really just a Week 7 game."
Part of that is true. Tonight's winner will still have plenty of work to complete over the next three weeks in order to make tonight's victory truly meaningful. The loser of tonight's game can make the loss just a footnote should it go to finish strong and make a deep playoff run.
Still, Pearson also pointed out that he believes tonight "is going to be one of those games you remember your whole life."
The same can be said for tonight's showdown between Garrettsville Gafield (6-0) and Liberty (6-0). Since joining the league in 2021, Garfield has been a force in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier, winning three titles and owning a 35-2 league record. Liberty entered the season as one of this year's MVAC favorites, and the Leopards have not disappointed.
Both the Leopards and G-Men possess explosive power on offense, but the differing styles of offense is what makes the game especially intriguing. Spearheaded by the flashiness of Dawaun Moody (1,274 rushing yards, 24 TD), Liberty can strike at any moment, from any spot of the field. Garfield loves to work the clock, maintain possession of the football and wear teams down.
And while the offensive numbers for both teams grab the attention of most fans, the defenses demand respect. Garfield has given up just 34 points in its last five games. Liberty is surrendering just 6.3 points per game, which ranks as the top defense in the Mahoning Valley.
A year ago Garfield downed Liberty, 35-34, thanks to an 80-yard drive which ended with one second left of the clock.
While the above mentioned games will grab many of tonight's headlines, Week 7 will prove pivotal for a number of area teams.
Howland (5-1), winners of just five games from 2022-25, has already equaled that win total. A victory tonight at Alliance would go a long way in bolstering the Tigers' playoff hopes - something that appeared unachievable by many outside of the program just a month ago.
Niles entered the season with a 19-game losing streak. The Red Dragons are now 3-3 and looking for a signature win. Tonight the Dragons face a Poland team fighting for its playoff life. The Bulldogs own a 32-4 record against Niles, and have outscored the Dragons 944-296 in those 36 meetings.
After starting off 0-4, Canfield (2-4) may have salvaged its season with last week's victory over previously-unbeaten West Branch. The Cardinals can suddenly put themselves back in the playoff hunt with a victory against Louisville (4-2).
Salem (6-0) is looking to go 7-0 for the first time since 2015 when it finished with a 10-2 record. The Quakers could virtually punch their ticket to the postseason with a win tonight over Marlington.
After losing its season-opener, then having a bye in Week 2, Austintown Fitch has righted the ship with four straight wins. The Falcons will look to continue their roll at home against Perry.
Mineral Ridge (6-0) looks to remain perfect and should get a stern test from Lowellville (4-2). McDonald, also 6-0, will have its perfect record remain intact as it will receive a win by way of forfeit over Waterloo.
Incidentally, McDonald and Mineral Ridge meet in the final week of the regular season. If the Blue Devils and Rams remain on their current course, that showdown between backyard rivals will surely be dubbed as the Valley's Game of the Year.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves.
Let's first enjoy the many storylines of week seven and another Football Friday Night in the Valley.