The storylines are listed in order from largest classification to smallest. 

Dripping Springs dominates Austin Vandegrift

Dripping Springs beating No.6-ranked Austin Vandegrift in a close game wouldn't have been shocking. Coach Galen Zimmerman's program has had three double-digit win seasons in the last four years. But the utter domination of a 41-14 outcome was not on our bingo cards.

Dripping Springs' offense punted one time as multiple seniors took advantage of their long-awaited turns in the spotlight. Center Braxton Jones led an offensive line that opened holes for running back Jaceton Gotta, who totaled 70 rushing yards and 101 receiving yards. New QB Chase Ames was decisive and took care of the football, throwing to Merrick Bloomgren (6'4, 192) and Arizona State commit Cooper Reid (6'4, 200). 

Vandegrift's offense, which returned eight starters from the state championship team, was held to just 249 yards. Zimmerman said his undersized defensive line unit played big on Friday night, highlighting senior Will Wright for a "phenomenal" game. Senior safety Colten Tripp had an interception in a triumphant return to action. Tripp missed all of last season after a Week one injury. 

It's stories like that which make this team so fun for Zimmerman to coach. But with three Top 10 teams remaining on the schedule, the Tigers know they can't bask in the glory of a season-opening win for long. 

"This can't be the highlight of the season," Zimmerman said. "This has to be something that we can use as a litmus test. This was Game One. We've got a lot of football to play and we've got a lot of goals yet to go."

Prosper hands Austin Westlake first season-opening loss since 2014

Coach Tyler Moore says two changes allowed his No.22-ranked Prosper program to avenge its season-opening loss from last season in a 29-22 upset over No.4 Austin Westlake.

Last year, Westlake threw for 355 yards and 4 touchdowns on an 82 percent completion rate. But this year, Prosper's secondary had better eyes and kept routes in front of them. Westlake managed to complete just 50 percent of its passes and threw two interceptions. Senior CB Tyson Stiggers had one of those picks. The staff believes he's a DI-caliber corner who hasn't received that attention yet due to injuries. 

While the Eagles' secondary created a No Fly Zone, defensive ends Devin Allen Jr. (5.5 sacks) and Zac Manning flew to the quarterback.

"We're a team that's going to get after the quarterback and send pressure," Moore said. "We're not going to sit back and play coverage. We're going to be aggressive and attack. We're fast and physical on the defensive line."

The second reason Prosper prevailed in 2025: RB Bryce Robinson rushed for 159 yards and a score compared to a team total of 79 yards on 2.3 yards per carry last season. QB Braeden Imhoff led all Class 6A Dallas-Fort Worth area passers with 334 yards and three touchdowns. Prosper had two receivers reach the century mark in Dallas Boozer (4 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD) and Lathan Latiolais (6 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD).

The staff is most excited about the depth displayed during a total team effort.

"We had some injuries, some cramping and stuff going on. We played through the entire second half with a lot of backups in on both sides of the ball. Those guys met the challenge. That's probably what we're most proud of." 

San Marcos goes from unknown to 1–0

San Marcos's pregame storyline was the debut of nine players, most of whom have DI offers, who played JV the last three years due to a UIL ruling. But Coach John Walsh says of their 56-man roster, only seven players had ever started a Varsity game.

The inexperienced group showed a veteran poise against Hutto. San Marcos held a three-score lead with five minutes remaining. Then a fumble, combined with two successful onside kicks, brought Hutto to within a score. The Rattlers responded with a touchdown to ice the game. 

"When you have that many new players on Varsity, adversity usually costs you a loss," Walsh said. "We hit a good bit of adversity. We learned some lessons, but it didn't cost us in the win column."

Defensive coordinator Joshua Allen, who played for Walsh at Denton Guyer, limited Hutto to less than 50 yards rushing by deploying SMU commit I'zayah Young and Trey Walker at edge rusher. Inside linebackers Darius Davis (Texas State commit) and Cameron Bundage had near-perfect run fits all night. Hutto tried testing WR/CB Henry Harris on the outside, but he responded with multiple pass breakups and an interception.

The defense's performance gave the offense time to warm up. The coaching staff challenged the offensive line in the locker room for not playing physically enough in the first half. The unit responded by paving the way for RB Justin Tardy's 161 yards on 14 carries. Tardy also added six catches for 89 yards.

Katy Tompkins topples Cypress Ranch

Cypress Ranch went 8–4 last season despite Coach Will Blaylock taking over after spring ball. A full offseason, combined with dynamic recruits like North Carolina linebacker commit Calvin Thomas Jr. and 35-offer defensive tackle Amari Vickerson, vaulted the Mustangs to a No.25 ranking in Class 6A. But unranked Katy Tompkins stunned Cy Ranch on Thursday night in a 32-27 win headlined by Blake Hamilton's three touchdowns. The WR/CB scored on a kickoff return, a 32-yard touchdown interception and an 80-yard end-around. 

Princeton offense pounces on West Mesquite

Princeton went from Class 5A DII to Class 6A in the 2024 realignment cycle and finished with a 2–8 record last season as one of the smallest 6A programs. But Friday night's 42-36 triumph over a West Mesquite team that finished 11–1 in 2024 was a statement to the TXHSFB world, and to themselves. Princeton returns 19 starters. That continuity makes them a different team in 2025. 

"Our kids have that chip on their shoulder," Coach Ervin Chandler said. "They've got something to prove to the state of Texas, and they've got something to prove to the people of our community. We do belong. That's the type of attitude our kids have. They play hard and they refuse to go down without a fight."

Senior quarterback Marcus Flowers was in total control, completing 21-of-28 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns. Flowers started the last few games of his sophomore season and then broke out as a junior with 3,201 passing yards, which ranked second in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Wide receiver Jordan Mosley's 213 yards and three touchdowns led the DFW area for Week One. 

Princeton never trailed against a West Mesquite team that ranked No.19 in Class 5A DI after returning 15 starters from its 11-win campaign a year ago. Running back Damarian Robinson had 115 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Se'maje Jordan compiled 117 yards and a score. But Princeton's defensive line, led by Kaidon Williams, Tevin Miller and Breylon Kelleher, swarmed to the football all night and came up with timely stops. 

Frisco Lone Star finds different gear with personnel switch

During Karece Hoyt's end-of-season meeting with the coaches last year, Jeff Rayburn told him he could be Frisco Lone Star's quarterback for the next three years if he wanted to. He was the District 5-5A DI Overall MVP and an All-State selection who'd led the Rangers to a 12–2 record. 

But Hoyt, a DCTX four-star in the Class of 2027, knew two things: he'd probably play another position in college, and Lone Star had two talented quarterbacks behind him who could play. He was a football player, not a quarterback.

"With all the notoriety you get playing quarterback as an all-state kid, especially at a place like ours, there's not too many kids that would say, 'Coach, if it's better for the team, I'll move,'" Rayburn said. 

The early returns after Friday night's 44-21 win over No. 4-ranked Argyle couldn't have been more positive. Hoyt had an early interception at safety, then caught the next touchdown on a scramble play. He finished with 116 receiving yards and four total touchdowns. 

Meanwhile, sophomore quarterback Trey Wright showed why moving Hoyt was a possibility. He threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns and showed elite off-script playmaking ability with 140 rushing yards. An AAU basketball player, Wright has early football offers from North Texas and Sacramento State.

"The thing that impressed me the most was his confidence and maturity, the way he handled it," Rayburn said. "In every aspect of it, it was like he'd been doing it his whole life."

Argyle was able to crease Lone Star's defense a couple of times in the run game. Logan Rexroat had 206 yards and three touchdowns, while Nathaniel Bruce had 113 yards. But Lone Star's defensive line, headlined by Chris Knauls, Marcel Dominguez and Colsen Jaggars, wreaked havoc on the Eagles' passing game. Argyle finished with 82 yards and an interception. 

South Oak Cliff stuns Galena Park North Shore

South Oak Cliff has made four consecutive state championship games, but it hasn't won a season opener since 2019 against Dallas Skyline. That's because the Class 5A DII program typically plays Class 6A state championship contenders in non-district games. Friday night's matchup with No.5-ranked Galena Park North Shore was no different. But the result was.

 The Golden Bears led wire-to-wire in a 41-31 victory. South Oak Cliff averaged 9.49 rushing yards per attempt and had two running backs go over 100 yards. Mikail Trotter led the team with 194 yards and two touchdowns, while Levon Morton had 153 yards on just 12 carries. 

A young Garrison squad grows up fast against Waskom

With seven starters back on offense and six on defense, most don't realize how young the 2025 Garrison (No.3 in Class 2A DI) team is. The Bulldogs only have seven seniors, and one is likely out for the season. But Thursday night's 39-19 win against a No.3-ranked Waskom team that went 10–3 last season showed Coach Brandon Alvarez what type of fight he'll get from the group. 

"When the lights turned on, they played very aggressive and physical," Alvarez said. "That was the key to the game. Waskom, they'll get after you. I thought our defense stayed very physical the entire game and they flew to the football. We had multiple guys there on every tackle."

Last year, Garrison's offensive line trotted out four guys who'd never played a down of Varsity ball. Now a year older and wiser, that unit paved the way for running backs Avery Yarbrough (16 carries, 147 yards, 2 rushing TDs) and Carter Crawford (7 carries, 93 yards, 2 touchdowns). Yarbrough also added a 52-yard touchdown catch.

Aaron Iverson's 75-yard touchdown run on an end-around with under two minutes left in the first half broke the game open. The score brought Garrison down to a one-point deficit, 19-18, and gave it all the momentum for receiving the second-half kickoff.

QB Riley McGuire earned District 11-2A DI Newcomer of the Year honors after being thrust into action as a sophomore. Alvarez says he'd made a marked improvement this offseason in his command of the huddle and throwing zip.

This win gives Garrison more confidence for the rest of its tough pre-district slate against Arp (7–4), Anahuac (6–4) and Lovelady (9–3).

Albany avenges last year's Stamford loss

In 2024, Stamford steamrolled back-to-back state champion Albany 50-6, the first sign they had the goods for Arlington in a 15–1 season. But on Friday night, it was Albany's turn to take a team that just played in the state championship back down to earth. The No.4-ranked Class 2A DII Albany Lions beat the No.5-ranked Class 2A DI Stamford Bulldogs 21-7 behind senior Breydon Billington's two touchdowns.