Texas High School Football's Biggest Games to Watch in 2026

Few states do high school football quite like Texas, and the 2026 schedule provides plenty of reasons for fans to start circling dates.

Defending state champions will collide, traditional powers will renew rivalries and some of the Lone Star State's biggest programs will venture beyond Texas for nationally significant matchups.

The opening weekend alone features Southlake Carroll at the Cotton Bowl, Aledo's Class 6A debut against North Crowley, Duncanville visiting Allen and defending Class 6A Division II champion DeSoto traveling to Florida to face national power St. Thomas Aquinas.

And that's only the beginning. September brings a loaded Roland Parrish Classic doubleheader at the Cotton Bowl featuring Duncanville-DeSoto and North Shore-South Oak Cliff, along with several other games that could have statewide and national implications.

Here are some of the biggest Texas high school football games to watch during the 2026 season.

Thursday, Aug. 27

Jenks, Oklahoma vs. Southlake Carroll

At the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas

A state power from the Tulsa area comes to Dallas to play a Texas powerhouse. This is the fourth team Jenks has played from Texas since 2004.

Friday, Aug. 28

Aledo at North Crowley

At Crowley ISD Stadium

A pair of former state champions clash as Aledo plays its first game since moving to Class 6A.

Inglewood (CA) vs. Austin Westlake

At Westlake High School, Austin

The Sentinels have 4-star recruits all over the defense, including Cal pledge Duvay Williams and Texas A&M pledge Myels Smith, the No. 8-ranked recruit in California. Westlake went 7-4 last year, a season after being in the 6A finals.

Duncanville at Allen

At Eagle Stadium, Allen

Two traditional powers in the state will meet in a rematch of a 6A semifinal game last year.

Dallas South Oak Cliff at Richmond Dr. Thomas E. Randle

At Prairie View A&M

A rematch from December, when the Golden Bears knocked off Randle and kept them from winning another state title. The year prior, the Lions beat South Oak Cliff in the Class 5A D2 finals.

Roswell, New Mexico at Canyon Randall

at Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon

The runners-up in New Mexico 5A cross the border to play the Raiders, the first showdown with a Texas school since playing Dumas in 2021. Randall is coming off a 10-3 season last year.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Highland Park vs. Lewisville

At The Ford Center, Frisco

The Jerry Jones Classic will feature two local schools this year, a change from last year with Odessa Permian and Plano. Jerry Jones has traditionally been there for the coin flip and trophy presentation. The trophy is a football helmet with the Cowboys and Whataburger logos.

DeSoto at St. Thomas Aquinas, Florida

At St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Fort Lauderdale

The Class 6A Division 2 champions will head to the Sunshine State for the Broward County High School Football Showcase to face another state championship squad. The contest will be aired on ESPN2 and features the No. 5 vs. No. 16 teams in the High School on SI Power 25 poll.

San Antonio Cornerstone vs. IMG Academy

At IMG Stadium, Bradenton, Florida

From the Alamo City to Bradenton, Florida, the Warriors will take on the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

Friday, Sept. 4

Southlake Carroll at North Crowley

At North Crowley ISD Stadium

A pair of schools with new coaches and state title aspirations meet. Two years ago, both teams played in Class 6A finals, albeit in different divisions.

Galena Park North Shore vs. John Curtis Christian

At Our Lady of the Lourdes Stadium, Lafayette, Louisiana

The Mustangs leave Houston to head across the state line to battle a powerhouse program at the home of the Ragin’ Cajuns. Defending Texas Class 6A Division 1 champions vs. a 28-time Louisiana state champion.

DeSoto vs. Allen

At Eagle Stadium, Allen

Two powerhouses will collide in Allen. DeSoto is a defending Class 6A Division 2 champion — though in Class 5A Division 1 this year — while Allen was in the Class 6A Division 1 semfinals last year.

Plano John Paul II vs. Little Rock Catholic

at The Ford Center, Frisco

While the Catholic Bowl isn’t being held, these are two former participants in the game from the 2024 showdown. The Rockets are the first Arkansas school JPII has played since 2004.

Friday, Sept. 11

Allen at Southlake Carroll

At Dragon Stadium, Southlake

Allen continues its tough schedule by visiting Southlake Carroll. Southlake Carroll’s last home loss was on Aug. 26, 2016 against Tulsa Union back . The last Texas team to win in Southlake? Allen, with a 49-27 win in 2013 when Kyler Murray threw 3 TDs and ran for 2 TDs.

El Paso Eastwood at Corner Canyon

At Corner Canyon High School, Draper, Utah

The Troopers make the trek to Utah to play a team loaded with Division 1 talent. The El Paso school made a big jump last year, posting a 10-2 mark — up from a 4-6 showing in 2024. As of Aug. 20, Corner Canyon is ranked No. 1 in the state and won its season opener 55-14.

Saturday, Sept. 12

Roland Parrish Classic

Duncanville vs. DeSoto, 11 a.m.

Galena Park North Shore vs. Dallas South Oak Cliff, 3 p.m.

At the Cotton Bowl Stadium, Dallas

Quite a doubleheader happening at the Cotton Bowl. If you want to see future Big 12 and SEC players and probably a few NFLers someday, drive to Fair Park.

Oct. 2

Somerset Academy Losee (Nevada) at Midland Lee

At The Astound Broadband Stadium, Midland

This will be the second trip to Texas this season for the North Las Vegas school. They will face a Midland Lee squad playing its first campaign under its current name, after being known as Midland Legacy in previous years.

Friday, Oct. 23

Galena Park North Shore vs. Sheldon C.E. King

At Galena Park ISD Stadium

Two state finalists last year meet in a regular-season clash in district play.

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