​It is time for Week 7 of high school football in the state of Iowa for the 2026 season.This week’s games involving teams from the metro area are headlined by Class 5A No. 1 Southeast Polk (6-0) at No. 9 Waukee Northwest (4-2), No. 2 Dowling Catholic (5-1) at No. 6 Waukee (5-1) and No. 3 Johnston (5-1) at No. 5 Sioux City East (5-1).Southeast Polk is coming off a 49-21 win over Iowa City High, and the Rams feature one of the state’s best running back tandems in Stanley and Adrian Cooper, who have combined for 1,609 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing. Northwest has one of the state’s top quarterbacks in Mack Heitland, who has thrown for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns with just two interceptions.Dowling Catholic has the best offensive line in the state, led by Division 1 prospect Carter Barrett and a stout defense coming off back-to-back shutout wins. Waukee is also coming off consecutive shutout victories, and the Warriors have won four in a row after a 0-2 start.Johnston has outscored its foes 149-15 since a Sept. 4 loss to Dowling and the Dragons have a big-time playmaker in receiver and defensive back Bryce Beachem, who intercepted four passes during their 27-0 win over then-No. 2 Ankeny on Oct. 2. Sioux City East suffered a 35-25 loss to Ankeny two weeks ago, and the Black Raiders downed Des Moines Roosevelt by a 35-28 score last week.Other top 5A games featuring metro teams include Ames at No. 4 Ankeny, Marshalltown at No. 10 Dallas Center-Grimes, Ankeny Centennial at Indianola, Council Bluffs Lincoln at Des Moines Roosevelt and Des Moines Lincoln at Urbandale.In 4A, No. 3 Carlisle is at Bondurant-Farrar; No. 6 Adel-Desoto-Minburn hosts Glenwood, and No. 10 North Polk is at Des Moines North for an Oct. 8 game. Des Moines Christian, the No. 4 team in 3A, hosts Knoxville and 2A No. 2 Van Meter hosts Grand View Christian.Iowa high school football schedule for Week 7Home team listed firstThursday, Oct. 8Des Moines North vs North Polk, 7 p.m.Sioux City West vs Spencer, 7 p.m.Friday, Oct. 9AC/GC vs AHSTW, 7 p.m.ADM vs Glenwood, 7:30 p.m.Alburnett vs Monticello, 7 p.m.Anamosa vs West Branch, 7 p.m.Ankeny vs Ames, 7 p.m.Atlantic vs Greene County, 7:30 p.m.Audubon vs Coon Rapids-Bayard, 7 p.m.BCLUW vs AGWSR, 7 p.m.Baxter vs Colo-Nesco, 7 p.m.Bedford vs East Union, 7 p.m.Benton vs Independence, 7:30 p.m.Bettendorf vs Jefferson, 7 p.m.Bishop Garrigan vs Northwood-Kensett, 7 p.m.Bondurant-Farrar vs Carlisle, 7:30 p.m.CAM vs Griswold, 7 p.m.Cardinal vs Louisa-Muscatine, 7 p.m.Carroll vs Creston, 7 p.m.Cascade vs MFL MarMac, 7 p.m.Centerville vs Albia, 7 p.m.Central City vs Kee, 7 p.m.Central Decatur vs Riverside, 7 p.m.Central Lee vs Wilton, 7 p.m.Central Lyon vs Sheldon, 7 p.m.Chariton vs Woodward-Granger, 7 p.m.Charles City vs West Delaware, 7:30 p.m.Clarinda vs Clarke, 7 p.m.Clarion-Goldfield-Dows vs South Hardin, 7 p.m.Clarksville vs Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 7 p.m.Clayton Ridge vs St Ansgar, 7 p.m.Columbus vs Highland, 7 p.m.Dallas Center-Grimes vs Marshalltown