Week 1 has arrived, and the Amarillo/Canyon metro area gets an opening slate featuring everything from old rivalries to defending state champions and long road trips. Here’s how we see the first weekend of the 2026 high school football season playing out.
Canyon at Snyder: Eagles start Lovorn era with a win
Matt Lovorn begins his first full season at the helm of the Canyon Eagles with a long road trip, but the destination could make for a favorable opener. Snyder is coming off a winless season, giving Canyon a chance to establish its identity without immediately being thrown into the fire.
Look for quarterback Brox Hacker and running backs Austin and Levi Turner to set the tone on the ground. Canyon should also have an opportunity to build some depth once it takes control.
Prediction: Canyon 42, Snyder 7
West Plains at Wall: Defending champs spoil Lofton’s debut
Nobody can accuse West Plains of easing Jeff Lofton into his first season as head coach. The Wolves open on the road against defending Class 3A Division II state champion Wall, which went a perfect 16-0 last season.
West Plains graduated much of the nucleus that fueled the program’s impressive first four seasons, making this an especially difficult opening assignment. Lofton will keep the expectations and culture intact, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some growing pains against one of the state’s best programs.
Prediction: Wall 38, West Plains 17
Roswell at Randall: Raiders light up the scoreboard
Randall gets the benefit of opening at home against an out-of-state opponent playing under Texas rules, but the Raiders shouldn’t need much help. They return plenty of offensive talent, including running back Drayden Ray, and should give the home crowd plenty to cheer about.
Roswell is an annual contender and shouldn’t be dismissed, but Randall has too many advantages in this one.
Prediction: Randall 45, Roswell 20
Palo Duro vs. Amarillo High: Dons make it three straight
The oldest city rivalry in Amarillo takes center stage for the 67th time, and suddenly Palo Duro owns the momentum. After losing 17 straight meetings to Amarillo High, the Dons have won the last two and enter 2026 with the firepower to make it three.
Quarterback Deuce Reece leads an offense featuring Texas commit Kyron Brown at receiver and Raymond Johnson V at running back. Amarillo High will lean heavily on its defense early this season after graduation hit the Sandies hard at the offensive skill positions.
This one could stay competitive early, but Palo Duro’s offensive weapons should eventually create separation.
Prediction: Palo Duro 42, Amarillo High 17
Caprock at Pampa: Longhorns open with a statement
Rowdy Freeman enters his fourth season at Caprock with his best collection of skill players yet and a team with legitimate ambitions of making noise in District 2-5A Division I.
Pampa should be improved after winning only once last season, but Caprock looks ready to take another step forward. The Longhorns start 2026 with a convincing road victory.
Prediction: Caprock 28, Pampa 10
Tascosa at Odessa Permian: Mojo too much on the road
There aren’t many tougher ways to open a season than traveling to face Permian. The Panthers are coming off an 11-win season and return 13 starters from a team that escaped Tascosa with a 23-21 victory last year.
The Rebels have too many new faces to feel comfortable picking them in this spot. Tascosa will get an immediate measuring stick, but Permian has the experience and home-field advantage.
Prediction: Odessa Permian 41, Tascosa 21
Bushland at Seminole: Indians win a tough opener
This might be one of the more intriguing games on the Week 1 schedule, with both programs carrying serious postseason expectations.
Bushland quarterback Kannon Aven might be one of the most overlooked quarterbacks in the area, and a big performance here would quickly change that. Seminole counters with Buddha Guerra, a playmaker who can hurt opponents from multiple spots and figures to see plenty of touches.
In a matchup that could be tighter than the final score suggests, home field and Guerra give Seminole the edge.
Prediction: Seminole 28, Bushland 14
Sanford-Fritch at River Road: Eagles do it again
Sanford-Fritch stunned River Road with a lopsided victory in this matchup to open last season. Head coach Brandon Bennett would certainly take a repeat performance.
There’s little reason to abandon the Eagles after what happened a year ago. Sanford-Fritch starts fast again and leaves with another convincing victory.
Prediction: Sanford-Fritch 35, River Road 14
Wheeler at Highland Park: Mustangs survive the Hornets
Highland Park enters the season with something to prove and 13 returning starters, giving head coach Ty Stout a veteran group capable of making some noise.
Wheeler lost some major pieces on both sides of the ball, but quarterback Israel Andrade gives the Mustangs an advantage at the most important position on the field. Highland Park should make Wheeler work for it, but Andrade ultimately makes the difference.
