*All games non-district

Thursday

Jordan at Cy-Creek, 6:30 p.m. at Pridgeon Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• Jordan starts off the year with a good matchup that will showcase the Warriors new group after losing their first big senior class to graduation.
  The Warriors have a strong returning group on both sides of the ball, with a strong defense and some huge skill at running back and wide receiver. The Warriors have had a quarterback battle through the start of fall camp and both Domenic Cangolosi and Beau Bryant will try to stake a claim for that starting spot in the game, while it will show how the other parts of the team have improved.
  Cy-Creek comes off a 3-7 season, where the Cougars finished fifth in district. They have a new coach this year in Deveon McKinney, who comes over from North Shore and they have some pieces to be competitive this year that may make it a good game. Garland Wilburn rushed for over 1000 yards last year and returns for his junior season and Ethan Wright is a weapon at receiver that will test the Jordan secondary. The defense has a good line that is led by Marlon Cook. Overall it looks like a very exciting game to start the year for a Warriors side that is determined to compete for a playoff spot for the second straight season.

Friday

Paetow vs. Langham Creek, 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• Paetow thinks they have a real shot to improve this year and it will start on Friday against a competitive Langham Creek team.
  The Panthers have the pieces to have one of the best defenses in the state this year. Deyjhon Pettaway is one of the states top defensive backs and Carmelo Brooks and Nicholas Elko both are studs on the defensive line, with plenty of depth throughout the team on defense as well. Offensively with another year in the system, a quarterback the whole team is behind a veteran offensive line and some real skill at wide receiver.
  Paetow will look to make an early statement against Langham, but the Lobos have a good team that they return in their own right. Langham Creek has a very strong offensive line that they return and Daymond Ruiz is a playmaker at running back. On defense there are pieces but Paetow should have chances to attack them, with only four returners coming back on the defensive side for Langham and with Paetow having another offseason to get things right offensively and some very strong incoming additions on the offensive side.
  It will be a good opening test for the Panthers, who are trying to make a push to get back in the playoffs this year, something they haven’t achieved in their first two years in Class 6A.

Seven Lakes vs. Memorial, 7 p.m. at Tully Stadium

Last year: Seven Lakes 35, Memorial 28 (OT)

• For the seventh straight year, Seven Lakes and Memorial meet to open the season and just like each of the previous six years it should be a good one that has a chance to come down to the wire.
  Last year’s game went to overtime and Seven Lakes came out on top in a very fun matchup. Shaan Patel had maybe his best performance of the season as he completed 14 of 26 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns without an interception with Ryan Fowler catching three passes for 90 yards and a touchdown and Carter Hatten catching three passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Amani Hooks was huge in the game with six tackles and a sack and Justin Fowler came away with a game sealing interception.
  All of those players are back for Seven Lakes and will be trying to repeat that success, but Memorial has some strong talent back as well. The Mustangs return a pair of strong receivers in Will Van Wie and Carson Wall which will be good pieces for their new quarterback Austin Alpe. Defensively they have a strong linebacking core and secondary that will make life hard for the Seven Lakes offense and provide a good test.
  Each of the previous six meetings between the two to start the season have been decided by one score and this game might well be as well. The Spartans will be looking to start the season on a good note with a strong group of returners.

Tompkins at Cy-Ranch, 7 p.m. at Berry Center

Last year: Tompkins 31, Cy-Ranch 0

• In a rematch of last years season opener between these two teams, Tompkins will take on Cy-Ranch in a battle that will test two playoff hopefuls as they det ready for district.
  The Falcons have played Cy-Ranch in the season opener each of the past two years and it has been a victory each time, with the Falcons earning a shutout in last seasons game. Justin Thierheimer came off the bench and threw for 84 yards and two touchowns and Ronnie Quinn rushed for 29 yards in the game while Bisi Bello had 17 yards receiving, while defensively Ryan Machado had a sack. Those three will be back to lead the charge this year for Tompkins as they try to earn another season opening win.
  That will be no easy task though. Cy-Ranch may have a new coach in Will Blaylock but he had success at Lubbock Estacado and the Mustangs bring back a strong team. Owen Cossette is a weapon at quarterback and Peyton Thomas is a formidable running back, Ranch also has a strong receiver in Brendan Sadler and the teams defense should also be very strong, led by Nik Fisher on the defensive line.
  It will be a very good test for Tompkins early as the Falcons try to work out the kinks before district and overall this should be one of the best games of the week in the entire Houston area, with two teams with strong quarterback play and good defenses go up against each other.

Katy at Dickinson, 7 p.m. at Sam Vitanza Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• Katy will start its campaign against Dickinson as the Tigers try to start the year off with a win.
  The Tigers didn’t play Dickinson last year but it will be a good opener against a traditionally strong opponent to get a young Katy team ready for the rest of the way. Katy has some returners in key positions on offense, Gunner Nelson is back at quarterback, Tremayne Hill will lead the running attack and Israel Olotu-Judah returns to lead the Tiger wide receiving core. Defensively, The Tigers also have plenty of talent. Adam Carter will lead the defensive line, Jeremiah Smith is a force at linebacker and Jacob Hilton will be tasked as the leader of the secondary, but they will be up against it against a strong Dickinson returning team.
  The Gators have two big play targets in the pass game with Mason Peterson and Jeremiah Scoby Jamal Mason will have an impact in the run game. On defense, Jacyn Mason and Camryn Jones will lead the way and make it a test for the Tigers offense that will try and assert itself early and often.
  Overall it will be a good game for a young Katy team to gain experience and learn its strengths and what it needs to work on against a team that has made the playoffs each of the past 11 seasons.

Morton Ranch vs. Aldine Nimitz, 7 p.m. at Thorn Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• A new generation of Mavericks and a new coach will kick off its season against Aldine Nimitz on Friday against Aldine Nimitz, a team that comes off a playoff appearance and is expected to compete for a playoff spot gain this year in its district.
  The Mavericks have talent around the field and will have the chance to test that against Nimitz. The Mavericks have a quarterback battle between Edward Vasquez and Jayceon Jenkins and the two of them will be vying to prove they should have the starting spot and they have the talent around them to be successful, with players like Tyler Williams and Jerome Ryans on offense. Ryans will also be a big part of the team defensively and Charles Fleming is a force on the defensive line.
  Nimitz will be a tough team though. They come off an eight-win season and have lots of experience all over the field. Javar Thomas leads the way for them defensively and Jeyhon Hicks will be a strong cornerback for the team as well. Offensively Nimitz has plenty of talent. Albert Brown is a very good quarterback and has two big weapons in the pass game with Malachi Augustus and Le’Lyn Washom.
  The Mavericks will give themselves a good challenge to open the season that will show the teams strengths and weaknesses and will hope to start off the new season on a strong note.

Mayde Creek vs. Fort Bend Travis, 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• Mayde Creek starts off its 2024 season against a strong team that made it to last years playoffs. It will be a good test for the Rams, who will be testing out a new offense under a new coach but do have a very strong cast of returning players.
  The Rams will have a fast paced offense led by Cole Jensen, who is entering his senior year at quarterback and will have the opportunity to throw the ball around the year. He has weapons to throw to as well, Chad Nelson and Trey Williams are both multi-dimensional players that can get things done when given the ball and that is what the Rams plan is. Defensively, Mayde Creek has some good players at all three levels and will hope to get things down before they get to district play.
  Travis returns a very experienced and strong defense. The Tigers have seven starters back from last year’s defense and will make things hard on Mayde Creek and offensively, Travis has strong players in David Brewer at wide receiver and Deji Akinrinmade at running back that will test the Rams defense.
  This could be a game that comes down to the wire and should be a fun one as we kick off the season.

Saturday

Taylor vs. Cy-Woods, 7 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last year: Cy Woods 49, Taylor 42

• Taylor will open its campaign against Cy-Woods for the third straight season in what has been a matchup between two playoff hopefuls each year.
  Taylor has lost the season opener to Cy-Woods each of the previous two years and will be trying to get a different result this year with a good mix of returners and newcomers coming into the team.
  Taylor will have a new quarterback in Connor Chnupa and have pieces around him that will make his life easier and help Taylor have a good offense this season. Chnupa will be a very strong and willing runner and be joined in the backfield by Josh Jacobson and Javion Garrett who both can be very impactful at running back and Taylor will have a good athletic offensive line to go with it. Defensively, the Mustangs will have an even stronger group. Alexander McMoore and Landon Saurage will lead a big and very good front seven and the secondary for Taylor has talent as well.
  Cy-Woods will provide a test for that Taylor defense though. The Wildcats have a pair of strong wide receivers in Kyle Singletary and Ty Codgill and Cy-Woods will not be afraid to throw the ball around the yard. On defense, the Wildcats return eight starters and make it hard on a Taylor offense that will rely on toughness and the run game to to be successful.
  It’s a big one for the Mustangs, who will try to get a season opening win for the first time in three seasons and it should be a fun one where we learn a lot about both teams.

Cinco Ranch vs. The Woodlands, 7:30 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last year: Did not play

• In maybe the most exciting first game of the season for Katy ISD, Cinco Ranch will go up against area power The Woodlands in a game that will strongly test the Cougars as they try to get the season started in a positive manner.
  Cinco has two great options at quarterback in Charlie Adamoli and Davis Roup and whichever gets the start will have weapons around them in Scott Eckel, Kellen LeCronier, Marcus Gadlin and Tessiah Young. Defensively, the Cougars are led by Luke Mathiasmeier and while Cinco only returns three starters on that side of the ball, the Cougars still have pieces that can make a successful defense.
  The Woodlands comes off a nine win season where they went three rounds deep in the playoffs and they return some strong players as well. Offensively, Shane Walker and Jackson Bolender are a great wide receiver duo and no matter who is at quarterback the Woodlands look to have a good group on that end. Defensively, the Highlanders have six returning starters and have a good group that will test the strong Cinco Ranch offense.
  Cinco feels they can be contenders again this year after missing out on the playoffs last year and a huge first step for the team would be being competitive or winning the season opener against the Woodlands. It will give a chance to learn how both teams look early in the season and should be a very fun season opener.