Top Texas high school football game previews, predictions, how to watch
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The 2026 high school football season has finally arrived in the Lone Star State.
While action has commenced in nearly half of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., this weekend marks the return of Friday night lights to the state that does everything bigger, which includes high school football.
When it comes to the best prep football, Texas is always in the conversation, if not the conversation starter. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) governs over 1,000 public school programs across the state.
The action for Texas high school football kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 27 with a key matchup between a Texas and Oklahoma school. The action continues through Saturday, with several big national games, including some USA TODAY Sports Super 25 showdowns.
Here's a look at the top eight games to watch this weekend in Texas high school football:
Texas game of the week: No. 16 Duncanville (TX) at Allen (TX)
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: at Eagle Stadium (Allen, TX)
Everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the stadiums, as rivals Duncanville and Allen face off at Eagle Stadium in Allen, Texas. Eagle Stadium holds a capacity of roughly 18,000 to 22,000 people.
This will be a rematch of the UIL Class 6A Division I state football semifinals, which the Panthers won 31-9. Rising sophomore Ty Snell will try to lead the Eagles to a win and avenge last season's loss.
Duncanville returns much of last year's runner-up talent, including starting QB Maximus Denson.
- Ehsan's prediction: Duncanville 30, Allen 28
Jenks (OK) vs. No. 19 Southlake Carroll (TX)
- Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Cotton Bowl (Dallas)
How about a little preview of the Red River Rivalry, but at the high school level in the "State Line Showdown" between Jenks and Southlake Carroll to kick off the 2026 Texas football season?
The two rivals have combined for 23 state championships in Texas and Oklahoma, respectively, and could put on a show in the opener for both programs. Thursday will be Lee Munn’s first game as head coach of Southlake, adding importance to the game.
- Ehsan's prediction: Southlake Carroll 27, Jenks 17
No. 22 DeSoto (TX) at No. 6 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL)
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium (Fort Lauderdale)
USA TODAY Sports All-America second-team running back SaRod Baker will look to lead DeSoto to a monumental win over one of the nation's best programs in a Texas vs. Florida showdown.
Baker and the Eagles are fresh off a state championship last season and the Texas Tech commit will have the opportunity to prove his program is one of the best in the nation in a tough road environment, against a fellow 2025 state champion.
- Ehsan's prediction: St. Thomas Aquinas 41, DeSoto 24
Aledo at North Crowley
- Date: Friday, Aug. 27
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium (Fort Worth, TX)
Two powerhouses in Fort Worth face off to kick off the season. However, this will mark the first matchup between the programs since 2007. This will also mark the first 6A game for Aledo.
The Panthers possess an explosive offense, led by the running back duo of Kiante Ingram and G’Yrell Smith, but it will be put to the test against Aledo's defensive line, which features Oregon State DL commit Tymon Meeks.
- Ehsan's prediction: North Crowley 27, Aledo 21
Waxahachie at Ennis
- Date: Friday, Aug. 28
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Ennis, TX
The No. 12 USA Super 25 and No. 1-ranked team in the Midwest region opens its 2026 season with high expectations. The iconic rivalry between Waxahachie and Ennis — referred to as the "Battle of 287" — dates back to 1908,
Five-star safety and Texas Tech commit JayQuan Snell anchors the defense for Waxahachie, which will see the debut of Lawrence Williams as the head coach, following the departure of Shane Tolleson.
- Ehsan's prediction: Waxahachie 41, Ennis 17
Frenship at Lubbock-Cooper
- Date: Friday, Aug. 28
- Time: 6 p.m. CT
- Location: Pirate Stadium (Lubbock, TX)
The game of the week in the Lubbock area features two rivals who have played close games historically. In fact, three of the last five times these teams have played, the score has ended with the teams being within a point of each other.
Last season, in an instant classic game, the Pirates pulled off a 57-56 overtime win, snapping the Tigers' four-game winning streak in the rivalry.
- Ehsan's prediction: Frenship 37, Lubbock-Cooper 31
Inglewood (CA) vs. Austin Westlake
- Date: Friday, Aug. 28
- Time: 7 p.m. CT
- Location: Chaparral Stadium (Austin, TX)
Westlake is coming off a disappointing 7-4 record in 2025, but could be back to playing as a national power after the rare first-round playoff exit. Despite the disappointing season, things are looking up for a group that returns 12 starters.
But that does not mean sleep on Inglewood, as it also possesses Division I talent, led by Cal commit Duvay Williams and Texas A&M commit Myels Smith.
- Ehsan's prediction: Westlake 35, Inglewood 14
South Oak Cliff at Richmond Dr. Thomas E. Randle
- Date: Friday, Aug. 28
- Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Prairie View A&M University (Prairie View, TX)
Richmond Randle defeated South Oak Cliff in a thrilling Class 5A Division II State Championship game in 2024. South Oak Cliff got its revenge last season. However, this might be the only matchup this season between the programs, with Richmond moving up to Class 5A Division I.
Texas commit Landen Williams-Callis will be the player to keep an eye on, as he is 3,828 yards away from the Texas high school football all-time rushing record. SOC held Williams-Callis to just 132 yards last season, his lowest single-game output.
- Ehsan's prediction: Randle 23, SOC 21
Highland Park vs. Lewisville
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
- Time: 1 p.m. CT
- Location: Ford Center at The Star (Frisco, TX)
The sixth annual Jerry Jones Classic features a six-time state champion (Highland Park) against a two-time champion (Lewisville) at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. This marks the first year the classic will feature two Dallas-area teams playing one another.
Highland Park has won each of the last two meetings between the programs in 2022 and 2023. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will likely be on hand, as he usually is, for the coin toss and trophy presentation.
- Ehsan's prediction: Lewisville 34, Highland Park 27
San Antonio Cornerstone vs. IMG Academy
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
- Time: 2 p.m. CT
- Location: IMG Stadium (Bradenton, FL)
Led by former Mississippi State and Florida assistant coach John Hevesy, San Antonio Cornerstone plays the toughest team on its schedule this season, traveling to Bradenton, Florida, for a matchup against the top-ranked team in the country.
While the Warriors are heavy underdogs, they are coming off a 62-48 win against UNAL (Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León), led by a three-touchdown performance from athlete Chauncey Moon.
- Ehsan'sprediction: IMG Academy 42, San Antonio 7
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top Texas high school football game previews, predictions, how to watch
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