Predicting the Biggest Week 1 Games in Texas: 4A-3A-2A

Canyon West Plains at Wall: It’s a juicy matchup in the Concho Valley as two elite programs from different parts of West Texas collide. Both West Plains and Wall enter 2026 with plenty of questions after graduating historically good senior classes. For West Plains, it’s a long trip from Amarillo down to Wall (327 miles one way to be exact) and they are breaking in a new QB after four-year starter Reid Macon graduated. RB Slade Russell will be the star of the show after rushing for just over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago; he’ll operate behind an offensive line that returns one starter. The strength of the Wolves defense will be at linebacker where they do have a good amount of returning experience. After winning the 3A-Division II state title a year ago, Wall makes the move up to Division I this year. They’ll have to do so after graduating a decorated senior class that was 29-2 the last two seasons. The Hawks do have a pair of dangerous playmakers on the outside in WR’s Jager Thompson and Evan Boehle, but finding a new signal-caller will be priority No. 1. Additionally, the Hawks must replace eight starters on defense. This game is a hard one to read because of all the new faces on both sides of the ball. Despite the long trip, West Plains is still a much larger school than Wall and that depth across the board gives the Wolves the nod. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 10

Kilgore at Texarkana Pleasant Grove: After playing in the last two 4A-Division I state title games, Clint Fuller’s Kilgore Bulldogs face a bit of a retooling heading into 2026 after losing nearly all of their offensive production. The Bulldogs expect to lean heavily on RB Rayshaun Williams, a four-year starter who topped 1,900 yards rushing and had 24 touchdowns a year ago. There are questions along the offensive line and Kilgore must replace a three-year starter at the QB spot. Defensively, even with Kilgore is young they tend to be solid on that side, but there concerns in particular along the defensive line. It’s a new day on the west side of Texarkana as Josh Gibson, who built the Hawks into a state power departed this off-season and former defensive coordinator Jonathan Darby takes over. Darby inherits an offense that should be solid with the return of QB Colt Yancey who tossed 39 touchdown passes a year ago, the Hawks will be big and physical up front, with the biggest question being who emerges as the Hawks feature running back? The defensive unit did suffer some key losses in the secondary, but the PGHS defensive line will be one of the best in the state with DL Kedrid Smith back and Western Kentucky commit Kai Ringwood returning. Pleasant Grove’s returning experience on offense and elite defensive  line are the big keys in this one as the Hawks open the season with a statement win. Stepp’s Pick: Texarkana Pleasant Grove by 13

Columbus at Bay City: The state’s No.1-ranked team in 3A-Division I Columbus will punch up two divisions to visit a strong Bay City squad who has won five playoff games the past two seasons at the 4A-Division I level. Columbus will look different at the skill positions. Last year’s QB Jack Schobel moves back to his more natural spot at WR and in steps talented sophomore QB David James, who started several games a year ago as a freshman at Corpus Christi Miller. James will operate behind what many feel is the top offensive line at the 3A level; a group anchored by Texas commit Keyon Hemphill-Woods. The defense, although not as experienced as the offense, should be plenty strong as well as the Cardinals welcome seven staters back. Bay City has a wealth of offensive experience back as well, the Black Cats are led by dynamic QB Keimarion Wiggins, who tallied 33 total touchdowns a year ago; he’s a game-changer and a true dual threat. Speedster RB Aiden Williams is back and will be a great compliment to Wiggins in the BCHS backfield. Bay City’s defense does have some concerns heading into 2026 as several key seniors were lost to graduation. I expect a high-scoring affair with Bay City edging out Columbus in what should be one of the state’s best Week 1 matchups. Stepp’s Pick: Bay City by 2

West Orange-Stark at Newton: Two teams from the Golden Triangle that played for a state title a year ago will hook up in a highly-anticipated season opener featuring two of the state’s top running backs as the main event. West Orange-Stark brings back seven starters on both sides of the ball as Hiawatha Hickman eyes leading his guys back to AT&T Stadium. RB Khelvy Jefferson is among the state’s most dynamic ball carriers. He’s low to the ground, strong and quick, which makes him really tough to get to the ground. The key for the Mustangs offense will be developing balance with QB Kwalin Dugas in the passing game. Newton has their own big-time back in Houston RB commit Kendray Porter, Jr. He’s back to lead the way but what could set the Eagles offense apart in 2026 is the development of sophomore QB Isayah Foster. He was thrown to the fire as a freshman and showed great poise; a full year of development could make him one of the state’s top young prospects. The difference in this one is the WOS defense led by LB Anterrion Fontenot and DB Ja’Cuincy Walker; those two lead a stout WOS defensive unit and that’s the Mustangs edge in this one. Stepp’s Pick: West Orange-Stark by 10

Waco La Vega at Franklin: Two Central Texas powers in different classifications meet up in a game that promises to be among the most physical in the state. Both teams pride themselves on running the football and playing tough on the defensive end. La Vega made it to the state title game in 2024 and fell in the regional finals a year ago, but the Pirates look ready for a return run with a veteran squad. Senior QB Kourtney Parr is back for a third season to lead the attack and he’s got a strong core of receivers and a good offensive line anchored by Zaith Gonzales. La Vega hasn’t settled on a feature back, but Coach Don Hyde has several capable candidates to choose from. The La Vega defense will without a doubt be strong with LB’s Craig Davis and Caden Roland back and DL Eddison King. Franklin’s Slot-T offense is a plug and play system, but when the Lions have their best success is typically when they have elite playmakers at the skill positions; that’s the big question mark heading into 2026. That’s not to say Franklin doesn’t have some young guys waiting in the wings, but the skill talent is definitely unproven. One guy who is proven is TE A.J. Phillips, who is among the top TE prospects in the state; he’s an absolute steal for UTSA and head coach Jeff Traylor. Franklin won’t be as big up front as they typically are and punching up against an elite 4A team may be a tall task in the season opener. Stepp’s Pick: Waco La Vega by 12

Yoakum at Cuero: For the 117th time, DeWitt County rivals Yoakum and Cuero will square off and for the first time ever. Yoakum comes into the game as a defending state champion as the Bulldogs got red hot in the playoffs and carried that momentum to the 3A-Division I state title. Gone, however, is a large group of seniors, including ten offensive starters from that title team so look for Bo Robinson’s squad to lean heavily on their defense in the early going. The defensive line will be the strength with DL’s Jashawn Brooks and Joaquin Varela leading the way. Cuero, after a run to the regional finals a year ago, looks poised for another season of contention in Region IV at the 4A-Division II level, the Gobblers defense with seven starters back should be outstanding. The offense only brings back five starters, but there’s plenty of firepower. QB Jayce Guajardo didn’t start last year but saw extensive time as a sophomore and will be ready to step in with RB Melo Perez and WR D’Zayvin Bonner as key weapons. ATH Jarvis Williams was a star at Shiner last year and moves in as well; he can play multiple positions and will be Swiss Army Knife on both sides of the ball for CHS. Cuero typically gets the better of Yoakum most years and with Yoakum being extremely young, it’s hard to see the Bulldogs challenging their rivals from 17 miles down the road. YHS keeps it close and plays hard, but Cuero wears them down in the second half. Stepp’s Pick: Cuero by 16

Sweetwater at Idalou: Two of the better teams in West Texas at the 3A level collide on the South Plains in a game that could tell us a lot about both teams and their chances in 2026. Sweetwater has designs on challenging for a district title in 2-3A Division I. The Mustangs are loaded with playmakers at the skill positions led by veteran QB Caiden Ortiz, WR Darwin Bluford and ATH Mason Bluford. There’s no question at the skill spots the Mustangs can run with anyone out west, but the big question will be in the trenches. That’s where Idalou thrives and really where the 3A-Division II Wildcats have the biggest edge going into this one. Idalou, a regional finalist a year ago, returns a large group of seniors and they have seven starters back on both sides of the ball. RB/LB A.J. Huddleston is a two-way star for Idalou and the offense will likely go through him. But keep your eyes on WR Cooper Hammock-Wilson, who hauled in a dozen touchdown passes a year ago. If Idalou’s defense can limit Sweetwater’s big plays the Wildcats dominance up front should be enough. Stepp’s Pick: Idalou by 11

Hamilton at Bremond: Hamilton, fresh off a state championship at the 2A-Division I level, makes their return to Class 3A football this week, but they’ll do it against 2A-Division II state title contender Bremond in a fascinating cross-classification showdown. It’ll be a long road trip for the Bulldogs across Central Texas, but HHS feels they have the pieces in place for another run. WR/DB Colton De La Garza is a big weapon on the outside and sophomore RB/LB Easton Marwitz return after strong seasons a year ago. Inexperience at QB and along the defensive line appear to be the top question marks for the Bulldogs heading into 2026. Bremond was a state semifinalist in 2024 and a regional finalist a year ago and the Tigers are hoping 2026 is the time they can again get back to the state title game. Senior QB Sam Kasowski is back for a third year leading the offense after throwing for 31 touchdowns a year ago. He'll have to replace an all-state caliber running back, but 220-pound RB/DL Tyriq Scott could fit that bill after rushing for over 800 yards and nine scores a year ago. However, if Scott has an expanded role on offense it could hurt Bremond’s defense, which lacks depth, specifically on the defensive line. The trench play and depth is where Hamilton has a big edge in this matchup and I like the Bulldogs to get the win on the road. Stepp’s Pick: Hamilton by 7

Ganado at Tidehaven: Class 2A-Division I No. 1 Ganado begins their gauntlet of a non-district schedule with a very tough road test at state-ranked 3A-Division II Tidehaven in a game that has great intrigue on the field and off the field considering the extensive ties the two head coaches have to each other. Ganado, after a state title in 2024 and a regional semifinal run last year, returns nearly every key piece from last year, led by dynamic and versatile ATH Logan Bures, who will likely play RB and LB; he can also play WR, QB or any position in the secondary and is ready to take the mantle as team leader after battling injuries a year ago. Junior QB Landyn Arriaga is also back; he started 13 games for the Indians as a sophomore and five games as a freshman. GHS graduated a grand total of two seniors off last year’s team. It’s the exact opposite for Tidehaven, as David Lucio’s squad must replace a very deep and talented group of 25 seniors. RB Julian Stockton and RB Noah Riddick will be key to the Tigers success as they’ll operate behind a very young group on the offensive line. Lucio does like his team’s returning defensive experience as seven starters return for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball. If this game is played in October, it might be a different result. But in Week 1, I’m leaning heavily to the experience of Ganado. Stepp’s Pick: Ganado by 14

Quick Picks

Sulphur Springs at Mount Pleasant Stepp’s Pick: Sulphur Springs by 3

Corpus Christi Miller at Corpus Christi Flour Bluff Stepp’s Pick: Corpus Christi Flour Bluff by 10

Bushland at Seminole Stepp’s Pick: Seminole by 11

La Marque at Hamshire-Fannett Stepp’s Pick: Hamshire-Fannett by 4

Peaster at Pilot Point Stepp’s Pick: Pilot Point by 6

Whitney at Mart Stepp’s Pick: Whitney by 14

Malakoff at Edgewood Stepp’s Pick: Malakoff by 17

Jefferson at Palestine Westwood Stepp’s Pick: Jefferson by 5

Daingerfield at Gladewater Stepp’s Pick: Gladewater by 11

Holliday at Windthorst Stepp’s Pick: Windthorst by 8