It’s the first week of the season and I would like to try something a bit new.

Each week I will post a small preview for every Katy ISD football game being played along with some information on the game time, location and players to watch for. So, following are this week’s games.

Friday

Non-District

Katy vs. Clear Springs, 6 p.m., Legacy Stadium

• Katy High will face Clear Springs in its first game since winning the Class 6A, Div. II state championship over Cedar Hill in January. This matchup was the opening game of the season for last years teams as well and Katy won 28-13. Clear Springs went undefeated in district play last season but lost to Pearland in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The Chargers boast an explosive offense, returning seven starters, including 6-foot-5 Noah Thomas, who caught 40 passes for 833 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Twitter:

• @tylertyre

Seven Lakes vs. Memorial, 7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

• Seven Lakes and Memorial will open the season against each other for the second straight year. Last season, Memorial won the matchup 20-15 behind 210 yards rushing and three touchdowns from Carson Zahn and a strong defense that forced Seven Lakes into three interceptions. Grayson Medford will be the new quarterback for Seven lakes this year and will get his first varsity action at the position. Memorial returns a strong running game, led by Zahn, and offensive line, but does have inexperience on defense that Seven Lakes will look to exploit.

Mayde Creek at Conroe High, 7 p.m., Moorehead Stadium

• Mayde Creek were 24-14 winners over Conroe in last year’s season opener as Jace Wilson passed for two touchdowns and Julius Loughridge rushed for two scores. It will be a new look for Mayde Creek this year as the Rams are a very young team, but do have promising pieces on both sides of the ball. Conroe went winless in District 13-6A last year but have 13 returning starters and have the potential to be an explosive offense. Louis Williams III is 6-foot-1 and a very dangerous deep threat, and Mayde Creek will need Tay’Shawn Wilson, Jordan Kelly and the rest of the secondary to play well to counter Conroe’s explosive players.

Cinco Ranch at College Park, 7 p.m., Wood Forest Stadium

• College Park came out 20-13 winners in last year’s matchup against Cinco Ranch as Ty Buckmon threw for 210 yards and three touchdowns. The Cavaliers went undefeated in District 13-6A play and have the looks of a good team this year with Buckmon back to lead the offense and a very good secondary on defense. It will be a good test for Cinco Ranch, as they have the makes of a very good pass game as they return Gavin Rutherford who threw for 1,372 yards last year and both Seth Salverino and Noah Abboud at receiver.

Paetow at Barbers Hill, 7:30 p.m., Eagle Stadium

• Paetow narrowly defeated Barbers Hill last year, 21-20, C.J. Dumas threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns as the Panthers outlasted the Eagles in a thrilling game. Paetow returns a very strong defense, including eight starters on that side of the ball and will need to be at their best to slow down Barber Hill’s Brent Holdren, who passed for 1,404 and 19 touchdowns and rushed for 918 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. The biggest question for Paetow is on both the offensive and defensive line and this will be a good test to see how both units look.

Jordan at Waco La Vega, 7:30 p.m., Willie Williams Stadium

• Jordan’s first ever varsity game will come against no slouch of a team. Waco La Vega finished second to Midlothian Heritage in District 5-4A, Div. I and made it to the Class 5A, Div. I regional semifinals before losing to Argyle. The Pirates have a physical defense led by Darion White. Jordan will get a good first taste of varsity football and it will be interesting to see what quarterbacks Colin Willetts and Deuce Barrington can do against the Pirates.

Saturday

Non-District

Tompkins vs. Magnolia, 6 p.m., Legacy Stadium

• The reigning District 19-6A champs will face of against Magnolia to start the season. The Falcons were 24-21 winners over the Bulldogs last season. Tompkins is tasked with replacing Jalen Milroe and it will be a very big test for Cole Francis in his first varsity start. Josh McMillan and Matthew Ogunrin will be good targets for Francis to take the pressure off and Tompkins defense should be deep with talent. William Alexander and Harrison Hefner are key players for the Magnolia defense.

Twitter:

• @tylertyre

Taylor at Cypress Springs, 6 p.m., Cy-Fair FCU Stadium

• Taylor handily beat Cy-Springs in last years season opener, 37-0 and it shouldn’t be much different this year. The Panthers are in the midst of a rebuild with a new coach and have not had a winning season since 2003. Taylor will use the game to get experience for new players after graduating a strong senior class last season. Joe Jefferson will get a chance to show his skills at the quarterback position and will be helped out by Hollis Robinson, Michael Whitaker and Tyler Irving along with Nolan Hay on the offensive line. Players to watch on the Panthers side are Jemari Seals, who is a Division I prospect, Terrill Curtis and Cameron White.

Morton Ranch vs. Cypress Lakes, 7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

• Morton Ranch won 24-14 over Cy-Lakes last season in a strong second half performance from the Mavericks as they scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Morton Ranch will try out two quarterbacks in the game as both Josh Johnson and Mike Gerald will play while Gerald will also play at receiver. Karsten Christopher will be their partner in the backfield and was the teams leading rusher last year. David Hicks will lead the Morton Ranch defense. Cy-Lakes went winless last season and returns just four starters and 11 total letterman. Amir Turner and Darnel Green are the biggest players to watch for the Spartans.