NOTE: Schedule is subject to change. Rankings courtesy of Dave Campbell's Texas Football.
THURSDAY’s RESULTS:
Burleson 42, Abilene Wylie 3
Dallas Hillcrest 58, FW Polytechnic 6
Dallas Sunset 26, FW Carter-Riverside 20
Denton Guyer 46, Lewisville Hebron 17
Euless Trinity 45, Arlington Lamar 27
FW Chisholm Trail 34, Wichita Falls 23
Frisco Liberty 50, Frisco Reedy 49
Frisco Lone Star 59, SA Cornerstone 14
Garland Lakeview Centennial 34, Arlington Houston 10
Irving MacArthur 50, Dallas Adamson 3
Keller Fossil Ridge 42, Azle 41
North Mesquite 35, Richardson 0
Prosper 34, South Grand Prairie 19
Richardson Lake Highlands 42, Mesquite Poteet 13
Rockwall-Heath 56, Keller Timber Creek 49
Royse City 44, Frisco Centennial 30
Seagoville 48, Carrollton Turner 0
Southlake Carroll 45, Highland Park 21
Wylie East 19, Mount Pleasant 14
CANCELED/RESCHEDULED GAMES:
PLANO JOHN PAUL II-LUCAS LOVEJOY (Canceled-COVID)
(Lovejoy will now face Bryan this week)
WILLOW PARK TRINITY CHRISTIAN-PEASTER (Canceled-COVID)
(Peaster will now face Munday this week)
CARROLLTON RANCHVIEW-WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI (Canceled-COVID)
(WF Hirschi will now face Episcopal School of Dallas this week)
FRISCO-GARLAND NAAMAN FOREST (Canceled-COVID)
FRISCO WAKELAND-SULPHUR SPRINGS (Canceled-COVID)
(Frisco will now face Sulphur Springs this week)
DALLAS THOMAS JEFFERSON-NORTH DALLAS (Canceled-COVID)
DALLAS PINKSTON-VENUS (Canceled-COVID)
NORTH DALLAS-VENUS (RESCHEDULED game canceled – COVID)
PALMER-KEMP (Canceled-COVID)
NORTHWEST EATON-SAGINAW BOSWELL (Canceled-COVID)
ARLINGTON SEGUIN-DALLAS CARTER (Canceled-COVID)
GODLEY-FORT WORTH SOUTH HILLS (Canceled-COVID)
SPRING LEGACY-SOUTH OAK CLIFF (Canceled-COVID)
GAME OF THE WEEK:
SANTA ANA MATER DEI, CA at 6A #5 DUNCANVILLE (7 p.m. Friday)
The Mater Dei Monarchs are a national power, and are ranked No. 1 in the USA by MaxPreps. Mater Dei played a spring schedule in March and April and finished a perfect 5-0. Duncanville is also ranked in the national top 15 by MaxPreps. This could be HC Reginald Samples' best Duncanville team. They have 15 starters back from a 10-2 team that reached the state semifinals. The Panthers are inexperienced at QB, but are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. Mater Dei will be a massive early test for Duncanville.
5A RICHLAND at 6A HALTOM (7 p.m. Friday)
Richland went 5-5 and missed the playoffs last season. They defeated Haltom, 36-3, in the 2020 season opener. Haltom went 5-5 and made the playoffs last year.
ARLINGTON LAMAR at 6A #7 EULESS TRINITY (7 p.m. Thursday)
Lamar went 3-6 and missed the playoffs last year. Trinity posted an 11-2 record and reached the state quarterfinals last season. All-State RB Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State commit) is now at QB for Euless Trinity. Trinity beat Lamar, 35-28, in last year's season opener.
6A FORT WORTH CHISHOLM TRAIL at 5A WICHITA FALLS (7 p.m. Thursday)
Chisholm Trail has ten starters back from last year's 1-7 team that missed the playoffs. Wichita Falls went 3-4 last year, missed the playoffs and returns 16 starters.
5A GRANBURY at FORT WORTH PASCHAL (7 p.m. Friday)
Granbury went 3-7 and missed the playoffs last year. They return 14 starters. Paschal also went 3-7 and missed the playoffs. They have 12 starters back.
LITTLE ELM at HURST L.D. BELL (7 p.m. Friday)
Little Elm went 2-8 and missed the playoffs last year, but they return 18 starters. That includes fourth-year starter John Mateer at QB. L.D. Bell has ten starters back from a 2-7 squad that missed the playoffs in 2020.
6A NORTH CROWLEY at 5A CROWLEY (7 p.m. Friday)
North Crowley went 6-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs a year ago. The 2020 campaign included their first playoff win since 2003. North Crowley has 14 starters back and could challenge Euless Trinity for the district title. Crowley is also a very experienced program. After going 2-8 and missing the playoffs last year, they bring back 19 starters, including all 11 on defense.
SAGINAW BOSWELL at NORTHWEST EATON (7 p.m. Friday)
Boswell has 16 returning starters from last year's 3-6 team that missed the playoffs. Eaton went 9-4 and reached the third round of the playoffs. They have 12 starters back.
6A WEATHERFORD at 5AD2 #1 ALEDO (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Weatherford went 5-6 and made a playoff appearance last year. The Kangaroos have a new HC in Aubrey Sims. He will have 13 starters back. Aledo went 13-1 last year (only loss to 6A state finalist Cedar Hill) and claimed their record 10th state title. Eleven starters are back for the Bearcats, including QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi.
TROPHY CLUB BYRON NELSON at PLANO (7 p.m. Friday)
Byron Nelson has 12 starters back from a 6-5 team that made a playoff appearance. Plano Senior High returns ten starters from last year's 1-6 team that missed the postseason.
6A KELLER at 5A ABILENE COOPER (7 p.m. Friday)
After posting a 3-6 record and missing the playoffs for the first time in four years, this experienced Keller program (14 returning starters) looks to return to the postseason in 2021. Abilene Cooper is the district favorite in 3-5A-1. They also have 14 starters back from a club that went 7-2 and made a playoff appearance last year.
5A BIRDVILLE at 6A KELLER CENTRAL (7 p.m. Friday)
Birdville has 13 starters back from a 1-6 team that missed the playoffs last year. They face an uphill climb in brutal District 4-5A-1. Keller Central went 3-6 and also missed the playoffs in 2020. They welcome 15 starters back.
5A AZLE at 6A KELLER FOSSIL RIDGE (7 p.m. Friday)
The Azle Hornets are always exciting to watch. After a 9-3 season and second round playoff appearance, their 11 returning starters include QB Chris Lee, who accounted for 47 total TDs last year. Fossil Ridge went 1-7 last year, but has 17 returning starters. Several of their juniors got key experience last year.
KELLER TIMBER CREEK at ROCKWALL-HEATH (7 p.m. Thursday)
Timber Creek went 4-7 and reached the playoffs last year. In addition to 11 returning starters, their offense should get a major boost from RB Emeka Moore, who transferred in from Fort Worth Nolan Catholic. Rockwall-Heath went 10-3 and made a state quarterfinal appearance last year. Don't be surprised if they play even deeper into December this season. Rockwall-Heath is loaded with talent, including Sr. QB Josh Hoover, who threw for 3,500 yards and 36 TDs last year.
6A #3 SOUTHLAKE CARROLL at 5AD1 #4 HIGHLAND PARK (7 p.m. Thursday at AT&T Stadium)
This is a rare meeting between these Texas football titans. Southlake Carroll went 12-2 and lost in the state championship game a year ago. They have 14 starters back, and it would have been 15, if not for the departure of QB Quinn Ewers, who took advantage of the new NIL rules, graduated early and is now enrolled at Ohio State. Kaden Anderson steps in for Ewers at QB. Anderson saw very limited action a year ago. The Carroll offense will be carried by All-State Jr. RB Owen Allen, who ran for 2,000 yards and 28 TDs in 2020. This is a young Highland Park team that went 11-1 and reached the state quarterfinals a year ago. Only six starters return for the Scots. The new QB for HP is Brennan Storer, and "new" quarterbacks usually get up to speed quickly under legendary HC Randy Allen.
PLANO EAST at 6A #10 ALLEN (7 p.m. Friday)
Plano East has 13 starters back from last year's 0-9 team. After the retirement of HC Terry Gambill, Chad Morris now leads the Allen program. Allen returns 11 starters from last year's 10-1 team that got to the third round of the playoffs. Soph. Michael Hawkins, Jr., takes over at QB for the Eagles. Allen will look to reach double-digit wins for an amazing 16th consecutive year.
DENTON BRASWELL at MESQUITE HORN (7 p.m. Friday)
Braswell has nine starters back from a 5-5 squad that missed the playoffs last year. Horn went 3-7 and also missed out on the postseason a year ago. They return 14 starters and hope to return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.
HEBRON at DENTON GUYER (7 p.m. Thursday)
Hebron was hit hard by COVID-19 last year. They went 4-3 and missed the playoffs in a very difficult season. WR Coda Bridges is a burner on offense and in the return game. Guyer is loaded with 14 returning starters from an 11-3 team that made the state semifinals. RB B.J. Phillips ran for nearly 1,400 yards and 22 scores a year ago.
SPRINGDALE HAR-BER, AR at McKINNEY (7 p.m. Saturday)
Har-Ber High plays in Conference 7A, the largest in Arkansas. They went 5-7 a year ago. The school is named for philanthropists Harvey and Bernice Jones. McKinney has eight starters back from a 5-5 squad that missed the playoffs last year.
MIDWEST CITY, OK at McKINNEY BOYD (7 p.m. Friday)
The Midwest City Bombers are a 6A school out of Oklahoma. They went 8-3 last year. Boyd went 4-7 and made a playoff appearance a year ago. Their 11 returning starters include LB Ethan Wesloski, who was the district's defensive MVP.
PROSPER at SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE (7 p.m. Friday)
Prosper made the state quarterfinals in their 8-4 campaign last year. They will have a new starter at QB, but plenty of experience returns on offense. Prosper has 12 starters back this year. Former DC Laban DeLay is now the top guy at SGP. The Warriors went 6-3 and reached the second round of the playoffs last year. They return nine starters.
COPPELL at SACHSE (7 p.m. Friday)
A lot of folks are high on this 2021 Coppell team. The Cowboys went 6-4 and made the playoffs last year. Ten starters are back, including several key pieces on defense. Sachse appears ready for a bounceback season. They went 3-6 and made a first-round playoff exit last year. Sachse's Alex Orji is among the area's best QBs. Orji is big and fast.
MESQUITE at FLOWER MOUND (7 p.m. Friday)
Former Cedar Hill DC DeMarcus Harris is the new HC of the Mesquite Skeeters. He has plenty of talent to work with, as Mesquite returns 15 starters from last year's 2-7 squad that missed the playoffs. Flower Mound went 4-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time in three years. They return 11 starters, including QB Nick Evers, who is a big-time college prospect.
FLOWER MOUND MARCUS at DALLAS JESUIT (7 p.m. Friday)
Marcus went 9-1 and made a first-round playoff exit last year. They welcome back nine starters, and will replace QB Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) with Cole Welliver, who transferred from Washington state. This is an extremely promising Jesuit team that is led by Sr. QB Gage Roy, who had 28 TDs a year ago. Jesuit went 7-4 and made the playoffs last year. The Rangers return 15 starters and are considered the favorite for the district title.
LEWISVILLE at ARLINGTON BOWIE (7 p.m. Friday)
The Fighting Farmers of Lewisville have 15 starters back, including All-State workhorse RB Damien Martinez (Oregon St. commit), who ran for 2,000 yards and 30 TDs last year. Lewisville went 7-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs a year ago. After an 8-2 season and trip to the area playoff round last year, Bowie has a new HC in Joseph Sam, who comes from Fort Bend Hightower.
PLANO WEST at WYLIE (7 p.m. Friday)
Plano West went 6-5 and made the playoffs last year. They have eight starters back and will reply on the experience of QB Vance Feuerbacher this season. Wylie was 3-6 last year, but did made the playoffs as a result of an unusual COVID tiebreaker. The Pirates have ten starters back, and will feature a deep receiver core and veteran offensive line.
NORTH GARLAND at IRVING (7 p.m. Friday)
North Garland struggled through a difficult year with COVID, posting a 1-5 record in 2020. They are young, returning only four starters, including one on defense. Irving brought in new HC David Munoz from the Haltom staff. Munoz will try to instill a winning culture in a program that was 0-9 last season and has lost 31 straight dating back to 2017.
6A IRVING MacARTHUR at 5A DALLAS ADAMSON (7 p.m. Friday)
MacArthur has nine returning starters from a 3-6 team that missed the playoffs last year. Adamson has six starters back after an 0-9 campaign in 2020.
6A IRVING NIMITZ at 5A PRINCETON (7 p.m. Thursday)
Nimitz went 3-6 and missed the playoffs a year ago. They have 12 returning starters, including a veteran defensive secondary. Princeton also missed the playoffs while posting a 2-5 record last season. They have 13 starters returning under new HC Ervin Chandler, who returns after a previous stint as DC.
NORTH MESQUITE at RICHARDSON (7 p.m. Thursday)
North Mesquite went 2-8 and missed the playoffs last year. They return ten starters, including highly-skilled Jr. WR Cordale Russell. Richardson went 5-6 and made a postseason appearance last year. They have seven starters back, and will have to fill holes in the offensive backfield.
6A RICHARDSON BERKNER at 5A FRISCO LEBANON TRAIL (7 p.m. Thursday)
The Berkner Rams are under new leadership for the first time in a generation, as new HC Trey Bryant takes over from Jim Ledford, who had run the Berkner program since 1999. Berkner has ten starters back from last year's 2-8 team that missed the playoffs. Lebanon Trail went 6-4 and fell short of the postseason last year. They return 11 starters, including speedy QB Gregory Hatley.
6A LAKE HIGHLANDS at 5A MESQUITE POTEET (7 p.m. Thursday)
After a 10-0 regular season, 2020 came to a disappointing end with a bi-district loss for Lake Highlands. The Wildcats have the talent to make a deeper run this year. The 12 returning starters include RB Noelle Whitehead. Poteet went 7-4 and made the postseason last year. HC Rodney McLain has six returning starters.
5A FRISCO INDEPENDENCE at 6A RICHARDSON PEARCE (7 p.m. Friday)
After making the playoffs in a 5-5 season in 2020, Independence has seven returning starters and is looking for leadership at QB. J.J. Pearce went 5-6 and reached the postseason last year. They return key talent at the skill positions, including outstanding WR Jack Livingstone.
DALLAS SKYLINE at ARLINGTON (7 p.m. Friday)
Skyline hopes to build on their first playoff victory since 2015. They went 5-4 a year ago and return 13 starters. Arlington made the second round in a 5-6 campaign. HC Scott Peach always gets the most out of his squad for the Colts.
6A #9 ARLINGTON MARTIN at 6A #8 LAKE TRAVIS (7 p.m. Friday)
These two traditional powers were scheduled to meet last year, but COVID put a stop to that. HC Bob Wager's Martin Warriors went 10-2 and made the third round of the playoffs last year. Martin has ten returning starters. The offense is now led by QB Cydd Ford. Lake Travis went 6-1 and made a surprising first-round playoff exit last year. They return 13 starters for HC Hank Carter.
GARLAND LAKEVIEW CENTENNIAL at ARLINGTON SAM HOUSTON (7 p.m. Thursday)
Despite a 4-1 record in last year's wonky COVID-affected season, Lakeview Centennial missed out on a playoff trip. They bring back 11 starters for new HC Anthony Saincilaire. Sam Houston went 3-6 and missed the playoffs. They also return 11 starters. Justin Tone takes over at QB full-time.
SOUTH GARLAND at GRAND PRAIRIE (7 p.m. Friday)
South Garland should be improved over last year, when they posted a 2-5 record and missed the postseason. They return 13 starters, including QB Jalil Brown, who accounted for 19 TDs. Grand Prairie's Gophers also return a lot of experience, with 14 starters back from a 3-4 team. WR Savion Red (SMU commit) is a big weapon for Grand Prairie.
ROCKWALL at CEDAR HILL (7:30 p.m. Friday)
This is one of the very best matchups in the opening week. Both schools have state championship aspirations. After a 10-2 season that included a second-round playoff appearance, Rockwall's eight returning starters include Sr. QB Braedyn Locke, who is among the best in the state. Locke threw for 40 touchdowns a year ago. The battle between Rockwall and Rockwall-Heath in District 10-6A should be something. Cedar Hill made the state championship game before running into Katy last year. The Longhorns bring back seven starters, with Jr. Cedric Harden, Jr., stepping in for graduated QB Kaidon Salter. HC Carlos Lynn should again have Cedar Hill right in the thick of things in "District of Doom" 11-6A.
DeSOTO at CONVERSE JUDSON (7 p.m. Friday)
DeSoto HC Claude Mathis has nine starters back from a 10-2 team that made the state quarterfinals. That includes plenty of experienced playmakers coming back on offense for the Eagles. DeSoto demolished Judson, 37-0, in the 2020 season opener. The Judson Rockets posted a 6-3 record last year, losing in the first round of the playoffs. They last had a losing record in 1976, and their current streak of 44 winning seasons is a Texas high school football record. Judson last won a state title in 2002, and last appeared in a state championship game in 2007.
MANSFIELD at BENTONVILLE WEST, AR (7 p.m. Friday)
Mansfield returns ten starters from a 4-6 team that missed the playoffs last year. The Tigers feature several juniors who got key playing experience as sophomores last season. The Bentonville West Wolverines went 6-5 last year playing in Arkansas' Conference 7A.
MANSFIELD LAKE RIDGE at TULSA UNION, OK (7 p.m. Friday)
The rebuilding continues at Lake Ridge, which went 0-9 last year. They welcome back ten starters. Longtime Oklahoma power Union comes off a 6-6 season that saw them reach the third round of the postseason.
WACO at WEST MESQUITE (7 p.m. Friday)
Waco has nine returning starters from a team that went 1-6 and missed the playoffs last year. West Mesquite posted a 1-9 record in 2020. They have ten starters coming back, including seven on offense.
ROWLETT at WAXAHACHIE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
The Rowlett Eagles missed the playoffs despite a 4-2 record last year. Ten starters return for new HC (and former Allen OC) Derek Alford, who replaces the retired Doug Stephens. Waxahachie made the postseason in a 5-5 campaign in 2020. They also are under new leadership. The new HC is former Denton Ryan DC Shane Tolleson. The Indians have ten returning starters. Jr. QB Roderick Hartsfield will be counted on to trigger the Waxahachie offense.
5AD2 #3 LUCAS LOVEJOY at 6A BRYAN (7 p.m. Friday)
After an outstanding year that saw Lovejoy take eventual state champ Aledo to the wire in the quarterfinals, nobody is sleeping on the Leopards. Lovejoy was 13-1 in 2020, putting up more than 700 points on the season. COVID has already had an impact on their new season. Lovejoy was scheduled to face John Paul II in the opener, but John Paul had to pull out with coronavirus-related issues. Bryan's Vikings come off a 6-3 season. They were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Cedar Hill.
5A CLEBURNE at HOUSTON HEIGHTS (5 p.m. Saturday)
This game has a special distinction, as Cleburne and Houston Heights met in the very first UIL state high school football championship game a century ago. Way back when all schools in the state were grouped in a single class, Cleburne and Heights played to a 0-0 tie and were crowned co-champions in Jan. 1921. This commemoration was rescheduled after it was canceled by COVID last year.
MIDLOTHIAN at FORT WORTH BREWER (7 p.m. Friday)
Midlothian returns eight starters after missing the playoffs despite a 6-3 record last year. The returners include RB Diego Benson. After a 4-5 season and a playoff appearance a year ago, this Brewer team returns a ton of experience, with 18 starters back. Plus, they added a key transfer in 325-pound DT Bear Alexander, who came over from Denton Ryan.
FORT WORTH ARLINGTON HEIGHTS at FORT WORTH WYATT (7 p.m. Thursday)
Several key members of the OL are back among the eight returning starters for Arlington Heights, which went 3-5 and missed the playoffs last year. FW Wyatt also missed the postseason in a 1-9 campaign, but they have 16 returning starters, including eight on both sides of the ball.
JUSTIN NORTHWEST at FRISCO MEMORIAL (7 p.m. Friday)
Northwest is looking to reach the postseason for the fourth straight year. The Texans went 7-4 last year. Frisco Memorial comes off a 3-6 season in which they missed the playoffs. Memorial's 12 returning starters include key offensive performers in QB Ethan Lollar and WR Zion Steptoe.
FORT WORTH SOUTHWEST at SAGINAW (7 p.m. Friday)
Southwest returns nine starters from last year's 7-3 team that made the postseason. They will have holes to plug on offense. After going 0-9 a year ago, things are looking up for Saginaw. Their ten returning starters include RB Kyle Kennard, who ran for 1,100 yards last season.
PROSPER ROCK HILL at BURLESON CENTENNIAL (7:30 p.m. Friday)
As a first-year program in 2020, Rock Hill faced the added challenge of COVID-19. HC Mark Humble has 18 starters back this season, including nine on offense and nine on defense. Burleson Centennial went 5-4 and made the playoffs last year. Their eight returning starters include QB Phillip Hamilton.
5AD1 #8 COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE at 5AD2 #10 GRAPEVINE (7 p.m. Friday)
These two neighbors and rivals again kick off the season in the "Battle of the Rail." Colleyville Heritage beat Grapevine at Globe Life Park last season, 48-24, on their way to an 8-1 season that saw the Panthers reach the third round of the playoffs. Colleyville Heritage is the pick to repeat as district champs. Meanwhile, this should another Grapevine squad. The Mustangs went 10-4 and made a deep playoff run last year. Sr. RB Caleb Texada is a dynamic performer to watch for Grapevine.
BROKEN ARROW, OK at MANSFIELD LEGACY (7 p.m. Friday)
Broken Arrow went 7-4 and reached the second round of the playoffs in Oklahoma's Class 6A last year. Mansfield Legacy is in rebuilding mode after a 2-7 season in 2020. Sixteen returning starters will help.
JENKS, OK at 5AD1 #10 MANSFIELD SUMMIT (7 p.m. Friday)
Traditional Oklahoma power Jenks is coming off a 12-1 season that saw them win another state title. They will be a good early test for Summit. The Jags got on a postseason roll last year. They finished 8-5 and made the state semifinals in 2020. QB David Hopkins is among 12 returning starters, and will have the benefit of a veteran OL.
RED OAK at 5AD2 #7 ENNIS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Here's another rivalry game to kick off the new season. Both teams are expecting big things in 2021. Red Oak returns 13 starters from a 9-3 team that reached the state quarterfinals for the longest playoff run in school history. Ennis comes into the year with a chip on their shoulder. After being ranked No. 1 all year in 5AD2, the Lions made a shocking early playoff exit in 2020. HC Sam Harrell returns only six starters, but the kids moving up from an unbeaten JV team should help plug the holes. LB Eric Gonzales is back to lead the Ennis defense.
LAKE DALLAS at DENTON (7 p.m. Friday)
Lake Dallas returns 12 starters from a 1-8 team that missed the playoffs. Denton went 1-9 a year ago. They bring back 11 starters.
5AD1 #1 DENTON RYAN vs. 5AD1 #5 LONGVIEW (2 p.m. Saturday at The Star in Frisco)
This is another big-time matchup in Week One. Two of the state's top programs square off at a neutral site. After breaking through to win the 5AD1 state title, HC Dave Henigan's Raiders look to repeat. Ryan has 13 starters back, and Jr. QB Khalon Davis takes over for the graduated Seth Henigan. Longview won a 6A state championship just a few years back. The Lobos went 9-3 and reached the third round last season. Longview's eight returning starters include sensational Jr. WR Jalen Hale.
ROYSE CITY at FRISCO CENTENNIAL (7 p.m. Thursday)
Royse City welcomes ten starters back from last year's 5-4 playoff team. Centennial returns 11 starters after they missed the postseason in a 4-6 campaign.
DALLAS W.T. WHITE at FRISCO HERITAGE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
The W.T. White Longhorns took a big step forward last year, making the playoffs for the first time since 2007. With 15 starters back, they will again be a strong playoff contender. Frisco Heritage is a team to watch. After going 3-7 and missing the playoffs last year, they return 13 starters, including QB Easton Swetnam, who threw for 24 TDs in 2020.
SAN ANTONIO CORNERSTONE at 5AD1 #9 FRISCO LONE STAR (7 p.m. Thursday)
SA Cornerstone is a top private program out of South Texas. They went 10-1 a year ago. Frisco Lone Star made the third round of the playoffs in a 7-4 season a year ago, and they are expecting big things - and hoping to challenge Denton Ryan for district supremacy - in 2021. The ten returning starters for Lone Star include Sr. QB Garret Rangel, who is a three-year starter and is regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects in the state.
FRISCO LIBERTY at FRISCO REEDY (7 p.m. Thursday)
Liberty returns 13 starters from last year's 6-5 playoff team. Jr. QB Keldric Luster could have a big year. Reedy went 6-4 and missed the playoffs last season. Their ten returning starters include 6'4" QB A.J. Padgett, who is big and can move.
FRISCO WAKELAND at SULPHUR SPRINGS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Wakeland has 12 starters back from last year's 6-5 playoff team. Sulphur Springs was hit hard by COVID and went 2-4 a year ago. They bring back 13 starters.
CORSICANA at THE COLONY (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Corsicana HC Hal Wasson is looking for a bounceback year, after the Tigers went 4-6 in 2020. QB Solomon James, a three-year starter, is among 12 returning starters for Corsicana. The Colony is a strong contender to return to the playoffs. They return 16 starters from last year's 5-3 squad.
4A TERRELL at 5A CARROLLTON NEWMAN SMITH (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Newman Smith went 5-4 and missed the playoffs last year, but new HC Robert Boone, who came over from McKinney, has plenty of talent to work with in 17 returning starters.
SEAGOVILLE at CARROLLTON R.L. TURNER (7 p.m. Thursday)
Seagoville had a major struggle with COVID last year. They went 5-4 and missed the playoffs. Ten starters are back. R.L. Turner returns 11 starters from last year's 2-7 team.
4A DALLAS ROOSEVELT at 5A DALLAS BRYAN ADAMS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Roosevelt opens the year against a larger class opponent in Adams, which has 15 starters back from last year's 5-5 playoff team.
4A DALLAS LINCOLN at 5A DALLAS MOLINA (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Lincoln made the playoffs last year in a 4-3 season. With 13 starters returning, they should battle Carter for the district title. Molina also has a veteran squad. They welcome back 15 starters from last year's 4-4 team.
DALLAS SAMUELL at DALLAS SPRUCE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Samuell has ten starters back from last year's 2-7 squad. Spruce also missed the playoffs a season ago after going 3-6. They return eight starters.
5A DALLAS SUNSET at 4A FORT WORTH CARTER-RIVERSIDE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Sunset returns 12 starters after missing the playoffs in a 1-8 season. Carter-Riverside has 13 starters back after missing the postseason in a 3-5 campaign.
DALLAS WOODROW WILSON at NORTH FORNEY (7:30 p.m. Friday)
After going 7-3 and making the playoffs last year, Woodrow hopes to push Lancaster in that tough district. Woodrow Wilson has 15 returning starters. North Forney made the second round last year in a 9-2 season. HC Randy Jackson will be working with an "extremely young" team that returns only seven starters.
PORT ARTHUR MEMORIAL at LANCASTER (7 p.m. Friday)
Two high-quality programs face off in this intersectional matchup. PA Memorial has 14 starters back from last year's 9-1 squad that made a surprising early playoff exit. Their QB, 9-5A-1 Player of the Year Jah'mar Sanders, accounted for 37 total TDs a year ago. Lancaster has big aspirations after posting the school's first unbeaten regular season since 1941. The seven returning starters include veteran QB Glenn Rice, Jr.
WESTMOORE, OK at McKINNEY NORTH (2 p.m. Saturday)
Westmoore is an Oklahoma City-area school that went 6-5 last year. McKinney North snuck into the playoffs despite a 3-7 record in 2020. They return 14 starters and should contend for another playoff berth in a very tough district.
DENISON at SHERMAN (7:30 p.m. Friday)
This is the latest edition of the oldest high school football rivalry in Texas. Denison and Sherman will meet in the "Battle of the Ax" for the 123rd time.
5A CARROLLTON CREEKVIEW at 4A FORT WORTH WESTERN HILLS (11 a.m. Saturday)
Creekview has ten starters back from last year's 1-8 squad. Western Hills returns 16 starters from last season's 5-6 playoff team.
5A FORT WORTH NORTH SIDE at 4A LAKE WORTH (7:30 p.m. Friday)
North Side has made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1936-37. They have eight returning starters. Lake Worth went 6-5 and was also a postseason participant a year ago. Their 12 returning starters include ballhawk DB Isiah Hall, who had ten interceptions in 2020.
FORT WORTH POLYTECHNIC at DALLAS HILLCREST (7 p.m. Thursday)
FW Poly returns ten starters from last year's 4-7 playoff team. Hillcrest has 13 returning starters from the 2020 squad that went 6-5 and made the playoffs.
4A GODLEY at 5A FORT WORTH SOUTH HILLS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Godley made the second round of the playoffs last year in posting a 7-5 record. They return 11 starters. South Hills went 3-6 and missed the playoffs. They have nine starters back.
DALLAS BISHOP DUNNE at FORT WORTH TRIMBLE TECH (7 p.m. Friday)
Bishop Dunne went 0-4 in limited action last year. Trimble Tech has nine starters returning from a 1-9 squad.
5A ARLINGTON SEGUIN at 4A DALLAS CARTER (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Seguin is hungry for more after their first playoff trip since 2016. They have 14 returning starters. This veteran Carter team, with 17 returning starters, is the pick to claim another district title.
5A EVERMAN at 4AD1 #10 MIDLOTHIAN HERITAGE (7 p.m. Friday)
Everman went 6-6 last year and grabbed the program's first playoff victory since 2015. They have 11 returning starters. Defending district champ Midlothian Heritage has seven starters back from the 2020 squad that went 9-3.
5A JOSHUA at 4A FORT WORTH EASTERN HILLS (7 p.m. Friday)
Joshua returns nine starters from last year's 1-9 team. Eastern Hills went 3-5 and has 13 starters back for new HC Devvin Anderson.
5AD2 #8 MANSFIELD TIMBERVIEW at BIXBY, OK (7 p.m. Friday)
This will be a major measuring stick game for Timberview, which went 10-2 and reached the third round of the playoffs last year. The Wolves have seven returning starters. Bixby has become one of the top programs in Oklahoma. They are 36-1 over the last three seasons, and are seeking their fourth consecutive state championship in Oklahoma's 6A-2.
4A FORT WORTH DIAMOND HILL-JARVIS at 5A DALLAS CONRAD (7:30 p.m. Friday)
COVID turned 2020 into a lost year for Diamond Hill-Jarvis. They went 0-6, but have 18 starters returning. Conrad returns 14 starters from last year's 3-6 team that missed the playoffs.
5A DALLAS JEFFERSON at 4A NORTH DALLAS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
Thomas Jefferson is another school that saw its 2020 season decimated by COVID. Their official record was 1-8, but TJ played only two actual games on the field, with a majority of their contests declared forfeits. North Dallas was one of the great stories in a grim season. They made the playoffs for the first time since 1952.
HOUSTON LEGACY at SOUTH OAK CLIFF (6 p.m. Saturday)
SOC has 12 starters back from last year's 9-3 team that made the second round of the playoffs. The Golden Bears are just solid year in and year out and are favored to claim another district title.
FORNEY at WHITEHOUSE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
After taking over in the midst of the difficult 2020 season, HC Jeff Fleener gets a full year to rebuild the Jackrabbits, who return 12 starters after going 0-9 last year.
AUBREY at BURKBURNETT (7 p.m. Friday)
KENNEDALE at DECATUR (7 p.m. Friday)
GAINESVILLE at CADDO MILLS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
GLEN ROSE at SPRINGTOWN (7 p.m. Friday)
Springtown's Porcupines have become one of the top programs in the region. They went 11-3 and made the state quarterfinals in 2020.
CARROLLTON RANCHVIEW at WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI (7 p.m. Friday)
ALVARADO at GRAHAM (7 p.m. Friday)
WACO CONNALLY at WAXAHACHIE LIFE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
BENBROOK at SANGER (7:30 p.m. Friday)
MINERAL WELLS at FORT WORTH CASTLEBERRY (7:30 p.m. Friday)
FORT WORTH DUNBAR at WILMER-HUTCHINS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3A DALLAS MADISON at 4A ANNA (7:30 p.m. Friday)
4AD1 #1 ARGYLE vs. FORT WORTH NOLAN CATHOLIC (7 p.m. Saturday at Allen)
Argyle broke through to win the 4AD1 state championship last year. Eleven starters return from that title team. With realignment looming in the spring, could this be the final go-round for Argyle as a 4A school? Private power Nolan Catholic went 8-1 last year.
KAUFMAN at 4AD1 #8 LINDALE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
4AD2 #6 CELINA at 4AD1 #3 MELISSA (7:30 p.m. Friday)
These two are teams to watch closely this year. Celina made an unexpected run to the state quarterfinals, while Melissa got to the third round in 2020.
DALLAS PINKSTON at VENUS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
4A BRIDGEPORT at 3A PARADISE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
KRUM at PARIS NORTH LAMAR (7 p.m. Friday)
4A VAN ALSTYNE at 3A BOYD (7 p.m. Friday)
3A MAYPEARL at 4A FERRIS (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3A EMORY RAINS at 4A FARMERSVILLE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
4A NEVADA COMMUNITY at 3A POTTSBORO (7:30 p.m. Friday)
4A SUNNYVALE at 3AD2 #2 GUNTER (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3AD1 #2 BROCK vs. BUSHLAND (7:30 p.m. Friday at Childress)
WILLOW PARK TRINITY CHRISTIAN at PEASTER (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3AD1 #9 PILOT POINT at PLAINVIEW, OK (7:30 p.m. Friday)
PONDER at VALLEY VIEW (7:30 p.m. Friday)
SCURRY-ROSSER vs. BONHAM (7:30 p.m. Friday at A&M-Commerce)
3A DALLAS A+ ACADEMY at 2A ITALY (7:30 p.m. Friday)
DALLAS LIFE OAK CLIFF at CEDAR HILL NEWMAN (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3AD1 #7 GRANDVIEW at 3AD1 #5 MALAKOFF (7:30 p.m. Friday)
PALMER at KEMP (7:30 p.m. Friday)
3A DALLAS GATEWAY CHARTER at 2A ALVORD (7:30 p.m. Friday)
2A CHILTON at 3A RICE (7:30 p.m. Friday)
ITASCA at WORTHAM (7:30 p.m. Friday)
SANTO at RIO VISTA (7 p.m. Friday)
FROST at BARTLETT (7 p.m. Friday)
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