Predicting the Biggest Week 1 Games in Texas: 6A-5A
TXHSFB previews and predictions for the biggest games in the state, including Duncanville at Allen, Longview vs. Lufkin, Killeen Harker Heights vs. Hutto, and Bridgeland at The Woodlands.
Bridgeland at The Woodlands - WATCH LIVE ON TEXAN LIVE: Two of the better teams in the Houston area who are on the cusp of being regional contenders hook up for what should be a fascinating measuring stick season opener. Bridgeland will rely on the exploits of RB Kash Schwab, who ran for nearly 1,500 yards a year ago, and also showed tremendous ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Bridgeland is always going to be solid in the trenches, but the key to their success will be QB Taylon Villanueva and his development, especially as a passer because he has some capable targets on the outside in WR’s Jackson Ewing and Jackson Gruber. The Bears defense, especially in the front seven, will have a lot of new faces. The positive for Bridgeland’s defense will be veteran experience in the secondary with Kansas commit Braiden Graves leading the charge. The Woodlands will look to rebuild their defense after suffering heavy graduation losses, most notably in the secondary. They do have a great building block up front in DL Magnus Herndon, who tallied 16 sacks a year ago. Junior QB Kaden Copelin is ready to take over the Highlanders offense; he’s looked good this summer and the staff is confident in his ability and he’s got a solid core of playmakers in WR’s Carter Cass and Cotton Weddle. Additionally, RB Jason Haskins is back to pace the Highlanders ground game. The Highlanders’ returning offensive firepower, ability to reload along the defensive line and stop the run will be key. Stepp’s Pick: The Woodlands by 7
Duncanville at Allen: It’s a rematch from last year’s 6A-Division I state semifinals where Duncanville’s defense absolutely dominated Allen from start to finish. It’s a new look for the Allen offense and the Duncanville defense so it’ll be really intriguing to see where both teams stand in this measuring stick showdown. Duncanville has QB Max Denson back and he’s got two dynamic WRs in Trenton Yancey and Jairus Ingram. The key for the Duncanville offense will be can they establish the running game after struggling to consistently run the football the past two seasons. Duncanville’s defense should be stout in the back seven, but the defensive line suffered some key losses and will be a question mark. Allen enters 2026 with several sophomores expected to play key roles, most notably QB Ty Snell, WR Zach Williams and TE Jaden Davis. Another sophomore will lead the Eagles defense in LB Raiden Johnson, a move-in from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman. I think this game will be much closer than last year’s game but playing that many sophomores in their first varsity game against Duncanville is a tall task to ask for Allen, and Duncanville’s offense looks to be really dangerous. Don’t judge Allen too harshly in this first game; the Eagles will look much different in November. Stepp’s Pick: Duncanville by 10
Longview at Lufkin: One of the oldest and most intense rivalries in East Texas is renewed for the final time at Abe Martin Stadium as it is currently constructed; after this season, Lufkin will begin demolishing the old stadium and rebuilding a brand new state of the art facility that will be ready for the 2028 season. Longview comes to town with high expectations after a disappointing 2026 campaign that saw them eliminated in the area playoffs. The Lobos bring a lot of talent back led by UTEP QB commit Johnny Hamilton, III. Junior WR Jaden Hurndon is an absolute monster on the outside, but the X-Factor is ATH Jacaiden Davis; Longview has to find a way to get the ball in his hands more consistently. The other big question for Longview’s offense (and this is weird to say), but the Lobos need to find and settle on their feature running back. At times last year Longview struggled to put games away with the run game, which is a staple of Longview football. Defensively, Longview should be improved, most notably in the secondary. Lufkin enters 2026 with questions on offense as the Panthers only return three starters, but where the Panthers look strong is on the defensive line with the return of DTs JaRyen Whitaker, Antonio Porter and DE Jamariea Davis. S Chance Horace is an underrated playmaker in the secondary as well. Lufkin does have experience back at QB with the return of Sam Fitzgerald and I like RB’s Robert Taylor and Amari Alexander, but the OL and WR group will be young and inexperienced. The good news is they don’t lack for talent. Stepp’s Pick: Longview by 11
Austin Vandegrift at San Antonio Brennan: Vandegrift managed a run to the state semifinals last year despite the Vipers being hammered by injuries for the vast majority of the season. The good news for the Vipers is a lot of young guys got to play in 2025, so there’s plenty of returning experience heading into the season opener. The big question on offense will be who ends up winning the QB job. Senior ATH Gavin Koester, who was sensational as a WR but missed all of 2025, will be a candidate for the spot, but he could also move back to his more natural WR role. RB Evan Williamson was a JV call-up due to injuries late in the year and impressed. The return of RB Preston James should give the Vipers plenty of punch on the ground game, working behind what is always a big and physical offensive line. Brennan is loaded with elite skill talent led by RB JayShawn Mitchell, who works behind a big offensive line, but the Bears will have a lot of inexperience at QB and WR. S Aiden Martin, a Utah commit, and LB Johnas Brewster lead a fast and physical group on the defensive side of the ball. The difference in this matchup is Vandegrift’s OL has a big edge over the Brennan DL, but playing this game in non-district is going to be very helpful for Brennan as they try and get over that Austin hump in the playoffs. Stepp’s Pick: Austin Vandegrift by 12
PSJA North at Laredo United: It’s the best team in the Rio Grande Valley taking on the best team in Laredo in what is clearly the game of the week in South Texas. PSJA North enters the season making the move from 5A Division I up to Class 6A and despite some key skill losses. The bones of this team return intact, particularly on defense. DB Jason Almanza along with DL’s Jacoby Herrera and Rey Martinez will lead what should be a tough defense, but on offense there are plenty of questions. TE Jaxon Evans returns and is a key TE who not only can catch the ball over the middle, but he’s a punishing blocker in the run game, which fits the Raiders offense. If there’s a strength for the offense it’ll be on the offensive line where some excellent experience returns. For Laredo United, the big question going into this game is the status of star WR Colt Lozano. Lozano, who hauled in 27 touchdown passes a year ago. He was battling an injury this summer, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’s available Week 1 or if he’s held out early to ensure he can get through the season. The Longhorns won’t have a shortage of other targets in their explosive passing game, most notably TE Jesse Garcia-Perez, who hauled in nine scoring passes a year ago. The Longhorns defense expects to be improved as well as six starters are back. If Lozano is healthy, I’d pick United, but I’m not sure he plays. So I’ll take PSJA North and that punishing ground game in a tight one. Stepp’s Pick: PSJA North by 2
Amarillo vs Amarillo Palo Duro: The season opener at Bivins Stadium features what most believe to be the top two teams in Amarillo ISD clashing in a great early season litmus test in Region I. Don’t let Amarillo High’s 2-9 record a year ago fool you. On the field they finished 8-3 but had several forfeits due to using an ineligible player. After getting into the playoffs on a coin flip at a gas station, AHS was eliminated in a heartbreaking bi-district game. Amarillo’s big questions are on the offensive side of the ball where nearly all of their production graduated from a year ago. The good news is the Sandies have tremendous returning experience along the offensive line and the defense where eight starters return. Palo Duro roared to a district title and 10 wins a year ago and the Dons could be even better in 2026 with a loaded offense that includes QB Julian Reese, who is making his college decision this week, Texas WR commit Kyron Brown and RB Raymond Johnson, V., who could be ready for a breakout season. The talented isn’t just limited to offense as DE Keumaure Rayford is a ferocious pass rusher that is generating major FBS interest as he enters his junior season. Palo Duro’s offensive firepower is the key factor in this one as the Dons may begin to establish themselves as a true contender in Region I. Stepp’s Pick: Amarillo Palo Duro by 9
Richmond Randle vs South Oak Cliff: It’s the rubber match of this series in which Randle and South Oak Cliff have played for the last two 5A-Division II state titles. This one is being played a little closer to home for Randle as Prairie View’s Panther Stadium will be the site for this season opener. SOC rolled past Randle in the state title game last year, but the Golden Bears have a lot of holes to fill, specifically at the skill positions where nearly all of their offensive production graduated. QB Jayden Williams is back and he’ll operate behind a strong offensive line anchored by Texas OL commit Brian Swanson. SOC’s defense does also have holes to fill, but the middle of the defense is outstanding led by California DL commit Jaderian Jones, SMU commit Isaiah Udom and junior LB Cody Smith. Richmond Randle is 31-1 in the past two seasons with that one loss coming in the state title game and the Lions look to be much stronger than last year’s team with seven starters back on both sides of the ball. Of course, things start with Texas RB commit Landen Williams-Callis, who is considered by most analysts to be the top running back prospect in the state. But Randle also has weapons on the outside, most notably WR Kamar Chavez-Brown. The defense will be strong with DT Cameron Hypolite and DB’s Julian Gerena and UTEP commit Patrick Oliver. Big questions for Randle will be who steps in at the QB spot and filling some holes at linebacker. SOC’s skill inexperience has me a bit concerned and with the revenge factor playing a role and Williams-Callis running behind a veteran offensive line, I’m taking the Lions in a close one. Stepp’s Pick: Richmond Randle by 3
Quick Picks
Lewisville vs Highland Park - WATCH LIVE ON TEXAN LIVE Stepp’s Pick: Highland Park by 3
Humble Atascocita at Katy - WATCH LIVE ON TEXAN LIVE Stepp’s Pick: Katy by 4
Katy Cinco Ranch at Smithson Valley - WATCH LIVE ON TEXAN LIVE Stepp’s Pick: Smithson Valley by 11
Abilene at San Angelo Central Stepp’s Pick: Abilene by 7
San Antonio Brandeis vs San Antonio O’Connor Stepp’s Pick: San Antonio Brandeis by 13
Cedar Park vs A&M Consolidated Stepp's Pick: A&M Consolidated by 3
West Mesquite at Mansfield Timberview Stepp’s Pick: Mansfield Timberview by 10
Marshall at Tyler Stepp's Pick: Tyler by 5
Port Neches-Groves at Port Arthur Memorial Stepp’s Pick: Port Neches-Groves by 4
Brenham at Huntsville Stepp’s Pick: Brenham by 11
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