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Every championship contender has a game that looms larger than the rest.
Sometimes it’s an showdown between national powers. Other times it’s a rivalry with decades of history or a matchup that could determine state supremacy before the playoffs even begin. Regardless of the setting, these are the games that reveal whether a team is truly built to contend for a championship.
The 2026 high school football season is loaded with those measuring-stick moments. From Georgia to Florida, Texas to California, the nation’s best programs will be tested long before the postseason arrives, with many facing opponents capable of ending unbeaten seasons or reshaping the national rankings.
With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports identified the best regular-season game on the schedule for every team in the preseason Super 25. These are the matchups that could define championship pursuits, strengthen national résumés and, in some cases, serve as a preview of the postseason battles still to come.
Here's a closer look at our picks:
Date: Nov. 13
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The fact that this highly-anticipated rivalry skipped a year last season when IMG controversially opted out makes seeing this game on SFA's schedule that much more exciting. Talked about in some prior years as almost a de facto national championship, the rivalry is currently deadlocked at 3-3 with St. Frances Academy slamming IMG 30-3 in their last meeting back in 2024. It'll definitely be an interesting one this year.
Date: Aug. 21
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
For the first time in a decade, St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman will face off on the football field. The two teams are consistently among the national powers, but haven't played against each other since September 2016. Entering the 2026 season, the margin between St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman in these Super 25 rankings is razor-thin, and the Braves' first game of the season may dictate its national championship aspirations.
Date: Sept. 18
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Insert the game against St. John Bosco here instead and you wouldn't be incorrect. The Mater Dei game, though, will be Bishop Gorman's last against non-Nevada competition. If Gorman has a chance to go 5-0 in out-of-state play, it would come down to this mid-September matchup, against a team they have never beat — the only team in the country that has given them consistent fits. Doing so would put them in position to rise to No. 1 in the nation.
Date: Oct. 17
Kickoff time: 2 p.m.
One of St. Frances' toughest tests outside of IMG Academy comes on the road against The Hun School, a program that has emerged as one of the Northeast’s premier independent powers. The matchup gives the Panthers an opportunity to bolster their national résumé against another roster loaded with Power Four talent. Playing away from Baltimore only adds to the challenge. A victory would provide valuable momentum heading into the stretch run against IMG and further cement the Panthers’ status among the nation’s elite.
Date: Sept. 11
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Last year, Centennial stunned Mater Dei with a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback for its first victory against the Monarchs in over a decade. Two months later, the Huskies beat Mater Dei again, this time with a blocked field goal with nine seconds left to send Centennial to the championship game. Mater Dei has a renewed rivalry — and Centennial has a chance to prove that last season was not a fluke, and California is not Mater Dei's.
Watch HS Football live all season on NFHS Network
Date: Oct. 30
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Centennial is a vital game. So is Bishop Gorman. We'll put St. John Bosco here, as that end-of-season game will more directly dictate playoff brackets. You can typically chalk these rivals up for twice-a-year matchups, but with the rise of Centennial, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and others, that may no longer be the case. Mater Dei is on a four-game winning streak against the Braves, and a fifth this season would position the Monarchs nicely for postseason play and national position.
Date: Aug. 29
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Roger Harriott's Raiders are wasting no time testing themselves, opening the season against a Texas powerhouse in one of the nation's marquee interstate matchups. The Eagles annually field one of the Lone Star State's top programs, making this an early measuring stick for St. Thomas in their hopes of winning another national title. A win for the Raiders would immediately strengthen their national resume and put the program in the driver's seat as clear favorites against South Florida rivals in Archbishop McCarthy, Chaminade-Madonna and West Broward.
Date: Aug. 29
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Basha opens its season with an Open Division championship game rematch against the Chandler Wolves. With both teams in the preseason Super 25 national rankings, it will set the stage for the rest of the year, and the Bears will look to continue its five-game win streak against the cross-town opponent. Championship game Offensive MVP Jake Rogers, who became the full-time starting quarterback when Brodie Vehrs got injured, will start out his senior year against the top-ranked QB in the state, Will Mencl.
Date: Aug. 20
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Matchups against Clay-Chalkville and Hoover are more than worthy of being the pick here but the Warriors’ season-opener against Central may be the biggest matchup in Alabama all year. Last year, these two played an instant-classic in the semifinals that Thompson edged out a 35-34 win. This will be a great quarterback matchup as well between Thompson’s Trent Seaborn and Central’s Abe Hatmaker.
Date: Oct. 23
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Many expect both Duncanville and Waxahachie to be key figures in Texas’ Class 6A D-I scene this year. While Duncanville has had the better run as of late, Waxahachie did win the regular season matchup by a point last year before Duncanville answered back with a postseason win. The winner of this game may be viewed as the overall state favorite entering the postseason.
Date: Sept. 18
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Few regular-season games in the country carry the weight of Buford versus Grayson. The matchup marks the first regular-season meeting between the two Georgia powers, a product of the GHSA’s new Power Score Rating scheduling model that encourages elite programs to seek out marquee non-region opponents rather than settle for mismatches. Both teams have spent the last several years setting the standard in Georgia’s highest classification, with Buford entering 2026 as the reigning Class 6A and consensus national champion while Grayson remains one of the state’s perennial title contenders. More than just an early measuring stick, this game could shape the race for Georgia supremacy, influence postseason seeding and provide a glimpse of a potential playoff rematch between two programs expected to be in the championship conversation all season long.
Date: Oct. 2
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m.
Grayson and Carol City enter 2026 with championship expectations, but this matchup is as much about identity as it is talent. The Rams have built their reputation on consistency, routinely competing deep into the Georgia playoffs regardless of roster turnover, while the Chiefs are looking to accelerate their rise behind a new coaching staff and an influx of high-profile transfers. The trip to Grayson will also mark Carol City’s second visit to Georgia this season after taking on Lee County in late August, giving the Chiefs another opportunity to prove themselves against one of the Peach State’s premier programs. For Grayson, it’s a chance to show that its championship pedigree still sets the standard against one of Florida’s fastest-rising teams.
Date: Oct. 2
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Baylor's schedule this year is a gauntlet featuring programs like Brentwood Academy (TN), Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA) and Trinity (KY). Two of those schools will be featured later in other matchups. However, the game all associated with Baylor look forward to every year is McCallie. Located just 7 miles apart, these two programs have run Tennessee's Division II-AAA scene since 2019 and have a rivalry that only a few others in the state can touch.
Date: Nov. 5
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Arizona saves its biggest rivalry for the final week of the regular season when Hamilton and Chandler face off annually for the Battle of Arizona Avenue. This year comes with additional pressure on the Huskies, who fell to Chandler in the semifinals last year without QB Jax Sculley, their only loss of the season. With both teams in the Super 25, it'll be not just a battle for playoff goals, but for national relevance.
Date: September 4
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
It'll be a Georgia vs. Louisiana showdown on September 4 as the Trojans take the long trip down to Baton Rouge. Catholic is coming off of a 10-3 season and returns starters such as Florida State four-star running back commit Jayden Miles and Stanford tight end pledge Jude Chamberlain. While the game may not mean anything to either team in terms of playoff seeding, there's always bragging rights on the line when schools from two different states square off in SEC country.
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
This opening matchup for DeMatha will be a good challenge and a great game right out of the gate. Despite a strong past few seasons for the Stags, Archbishop Spalding is a hurdle they just haven't been able to get over the past couple years: DeMatha lost 14-0 in last season's meeting, and lost 26-10 the year before. Beyond being a good chance for redemption, it's an opportunity to set the tone early for the season, establishing some expectations right from season kickoff against a strong team.
Date: Sept. 12
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The Panthers will get an idea of just how good they’ll be early on in 2026. They’ll open the year at Allen and then host Cedar Hill before hosting DeSoto in one of the state’s top games regardless of class. Both rosters feature plenty of Power Four prospects but when it comes to the Panthers' defense, it’ll likely play the best running back they’ll see all season in DeSoto’s SaRod Baker, a Texas Tech commit.
Date: Aug. 20
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
As big as Baylor and McCallie is, there may be no bigger matchup in the Volunteer State this season than the Week 1 opener between the Eagles and Red Raiders. A rematch of last year's Division II-AAA championship that Baylor won 28-24, both teams have simply reloaded rosters that feature some of the best players in the country. This could be a preview of a rematch in the DII-AAA championship again.
Date: Aug. 22
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Creekside’s season opener against Clay-Chalkville is more than just a clash of state champions. It’s an opportunity to prove the Seminoles belong in the conversation with the South’s traditional powers. After setting a Georgia single-season record with 845 points en route to a 15-0 campaign, Creekside now faces an Alabama program that has built its reputation on physicality and postseason success. The Cougars won’t be overwhelmed by Creekside’s speed or star power, making this an ideal test of whether the Seminoles can win against an opponent capable of matching their talent. If Creekside passes, it'll send an early message that last year’s historic run was only the beginning.
Date: Oct. 30
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
By the time Carol City and Miami Central meet on Oct. 30, there likely won’t be many secrets left between two programs with state championship aspirations. The Chiefs spent the offseason transforming their roster under new head coach Toro Wallace, adding impact transfers such as five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear, four-star defensive back Jailen Hill and quarterback Malik Leonard. Miami Central, meanwhile, remains the measuring stick in Miami-Dade County, making this the ultimate litmus test for whether Carol City’s roster overhaul has truly closed the gap. With the postseason just one week away, don’t be surprised if this rivalry has a playoff atmosphere in one of the country's top venues, Traz Powell Stadium.
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The "Red River Rivalry" is one of college football’s best rivalries and this year we’ll get the high school version of that as Southlake Carroll and Jenks square off at the Cotton Bowl. Both teams came up short of winning state titles last year but each return a plethora of talent and have high expectations entering 2026. A win to open the season in the Cotton Bowl could set the tone for the type of championship campaign.
Date: Sept. 4
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Since Chandler's other two massive matchups between Basha and Hamilton have already been featured, we'll go ahead and feature the only other team that the Wolves lost to in 2025. Led by USC commit Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, the Dons hosted Chandler last season and scored 10 fourth quarter points to hold on for a 24-23 win. This year they'll make the trip to Arizona as they look to go 2-0 against the Wolves and five-star Oregon quarterback commit Will Mencl.
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
While this Heritage team does have a handful of questions heading into 2026, this game should provide more of an indicator as to what to expect from the Patriots this year. The program is being built around junior QB Neimann Lawrence, who is primed for a huge season after playing at Miami Northwestern a season ago. There's a real case that Heritage's first five games — vs. West Boca Raton (FHSAA Class 6A champion), East St. Louis (IHSA Class 6A runner-up), Chaminade-Madonna (FHSAA Class 1A runner-up), Trinity Christian (FHSAA Class 1A Final Four) and Lakeland (FHSAA Class 5A runner-up) — is the toughest five-game stretch of anyone east of the Mississippi River.
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 8 p.m.
Illinois’ top program and one of the premier New Jersey teams will kick off their seasons on ESPN as the Green Knights travel to Chicago. Both teams are coming off of a state championship runs with Mount Carmel winning the IHSA Class 8A state title and St. Joseph Regional winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A title over Don Bosco Prep.
Date: Aug. 21
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
It'll be Ohio's best against Kentucky's best to open the 2026 season as the Raptors host Trinity out of Louisville. This will be one of the better quarterback matchups of the early season between Anderson senior Owen Scalf and Trinity junior Anthony Lowe. It also features two of the best cornerback prospects in the class between Vanderbilt commit Allen Evans and Notre Dame pledge Ace Alston.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pivotal game for each Super 25 high school football team's national title hopes
Continue reading...
Sometimes it’s an showdown between national powers. Other times it’s a rivalry with decades of history or a matchup that could determine state supremacy before the playoffs even begin. Regardless of the setting, these are the games that reveal whether a team is truly built to contend for a championship.
The 2026 high school football season is loaded with those measuring-stick moments. From Georgia to Florida, Texas to California, the nation’s best programs will be tested long before the postseason arrives, with many facing opponents capable of ending unbeaten seasons or reshaping the national rankings.
With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports identified the best regular-season game on the schedule for every team in the preseason Super 25. These are the matchups that could define championship pursuits, strengthen national résumés and, in some cases, serve as a preview of the postseason battles still to come.
Here's a closer look at our picks:
1. IMG Academy (FL) vs. St. Frances Academy (MD)
Date: Nov. 13
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The fact that this highly-anticipated rivalry skipped a year last season when IMG controversially opted out makes seeing this game on SFA's schedule that much more exciting. Talked about in some prior years as almost a de facto national championship, the rivalry is currently deadlocked at 3-3 with St. Frances Academy slamming IMG 30-3 in their last meeting back in 2024. It'll definitely be an interesting one this year.
2. St. John Bosco (CA) vs. Bishop Gorman (NV)
Date: Aug. 21
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
For the first time in a decade, St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman will face off on the football field. The two teams are consistently among the national powers, but haven't played against each other since September 2016. Entering the 2026 season, the margin between St. John Bosco and Bishop Gorman in these Super 25 rankings is razor-thin, and the Braves' first game of the season may dictate its national championship aspirations.
3. Bishop Gorman (NV) vs. Mater Dei (CA)
Date: Sept. 18
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Insert the game against St. John Bosco here instead and you wouldn't be incorrect. The Mater Dei game, though, will be Bishop Gorman's last against non-Nevada competition. If Gorman has a chance to go 5-0 in out-of-state play, it would come down to this mid-September matchup, against a team they have never beat — the only team in the country that has given them consistent fits. Doing so would put them in position to rise to No. 1 in the nation.
4. St. Frances Academy (MD) vs. Hun School (NJ)
Date: Oct. 17
Kickoff time: 2 p.m.
One of St. Frances' toughest tests outside of IMG Academy comes on the road against The Hun School, a program that has emerged as one of the Northeast’s premier independent powers. The matchup gives the Panthers an opportunity to bolster their national résumé against another roster loaded with Power Four talent. Playing away from Baltimore only adds to the challenge. A victory would provide valuable momentum heading into the stretch run against IMG and further cement the Panthers’ status among the nation’s elite.
5. Centennial (CA) vs. Mater Dei (CA)
Date: Sept. 11
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Last year, Centennial stunned Mater Dei with a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback for its first victory against the Monarchs in over a decade. Two months later, the Huskies beat Mater Dei again, this time with a blocked field goal with nine seconds left to send Centennial to the championship game. Mater Dei has a renewed rivalry — and Centennial has a chance to prove that last season was not a fluke, and California is not Mater Dei's.
Watch HS Football live all season on NFHS Network
6. Mater Dei (CA) vs. St. John Bosco (CA)
Date: Oct. 30
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Centennial is a vital game. So is Bishop Gorman. We'll put St. John Bosco here, as that end-of-season game will more directly dictate playoff brackets. You can typically chalk these rivals up for twice-a-year matchups, but with the rise of Centennial, Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and others, that may no longer be the case. Mater Dei is on a four-game winning streak against the Braves, and a fifth this season would position the Monarchs nicely for postseason play and national position.
7. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) vs. DeSoto (TX)
Date: Aug. 29
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Roger Harriott's Raiders are wasting no time testing themselves, opening the season against a Texas powerhouse in one of the nation's marquee interstate matchups. The Eagles annually field one of the Lone Star State's top programs, making this an early measuring stick for St. Thomas in their hopes of winning another national title. A win for the Raiders would immediately strengthen their national resume and put the program in the driver's seat as clear favorites against South Florida rivals in Archbishop McCarthy, Chaminade-Madonna and West Broward.
8. Basha (AZ) vs. Chandler (AZ)
Date: Aug. 29
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Basha opens its season with an Open Division championship game rematch against the Chandler Wolves. With both teams in the preseason Super 25 national rankings, it will set the stage for the rest of the year, and the Bears will look to continue its five-game win streak against the cross-town opponent. Championship game Offensive MVP Jake Rogers, who became the full-time starting quarterback when Brodie Vehrs got injured, will start out his senior year against the top-ranked QB in the state, Will Mencl.
9. Thompson (AL) at Central (AL)
Date: Aug. 20
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Matchups against Clay-Chalkville and Hoover are more than worthy of being the pick here but the Warriors’ season-opener against Central may be the biggest matchup in Alabama all year. Last year, these two played an instant-classic in the semifinals that Thompson edged out a 35-34 win. This will be a great quarterback matchup as well between Thompson’s Trent Seaborn and Central’s Abe Hatmaker.
10. Waxahachie (TX) vs. Duncanville (TX)
Date: Oct. 23
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Many expect both Duncanville and Waxahachie to be key figures in Texas’ Class 6A D-I scene this year. While Duncanville has had the better run as of late, Waxahachie did win the regular season matchup by a point last year before Duncanville answered back with a postseason win. The winner of this game may be viewed as the overall state favorite entering the postseason.
11. Buford (GA) vs. Grayson (GA)
Date: Sept. 18
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Few regular-season games in the country carry the weight of Buford versus Grayson. The matchup marks the first regular-season meeting between the two Georgia powers, a product of the GHSA’s new Power Score Rating scheduling model that encourages elite programs to seek out marquee non-region opponents rather than settle for mismatches. Both teams have spent the last several years setting the standard in Georgia’s highest classification, with Buford entering 2026 as the reigning Class 6A and consensus national champion while Grayson remains one of the state’s perennial title contenders. More than just an early measuring stick, this game could shape the race for Georgia supremacy, influence postseason seeding and provide a glimpse of a potential playoff rematch between two programs expected to be in the championship conversation all season long.
12. Grayson (GA) vs. Carol City (FL)
Date: Oct. 2
Kickoff time: 7:30 p.m.
Grayson and Carol City enter 2026 with championship expectations, but this matchup is as much about identity as it is talent. The Rams have built their reputation on consistency, routinely competing deep into the Georgia playoffs regardless of roster turnover, while the Chiefs are looking to accelerate their rise behind a new coaching staff and an influx of high-profile transfers. The trip to Grayson will also mark Carol City’s second visit to Georgia this season after taking on Lee County in late August, giving the Chiefs another opportunity to prove themselves against one of the Peach State’s premier programs. For Grayson, it’s a chance to show that its championship pedigree still sets the standard against one of Florida’s fastest-rising teams.
13. Baylor (TN) vs. McCallie (TN)
Date: Oct. 2
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Baylor's schedule this year is a gauntlet featuring programs like Brentwood Academy (TN), Rabun Gap-Nacoochee (GA) and Trinity (KY). Two of those schools will be featured later in other matchups. However, the game all associated with Baylor look forward to every year is McCallie. Located just 7 miles apart, these two programs have run Tennessee's Division II-AAA scene since 2019 and have a rivalry that only a few others in the state can touch.
14. Hamilton (AZ) vs. Chandler (AZ)
Date: Nov. 5
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Arizona saves its biggest rivalry for the final week of the regular season when Hamilton and Chandler face off annually for the Battle of Arizona Avenue. This year comes with additional pressure on the Huskies, who fell to Chandler in the semifinals last year without QB Jax Sculley, their only loss of the season. With both teams in the Super 25, it'll be not just a battle for playoff goals, but for national relevance.
15. Carrollton (GA) at Catholic (LA)
Date: September 4
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
It'll be a Georgia vs. Louisiana showdown on September 4 as the Trojans take the long trip down to Baton Rouge. Catholic is coming off of a 10-3 season and returns starters such as Florida State four-star running back commit Jayden Miles and Stanford tight end pledge Jude Chamberlain. While the game may not mean anything to either team in terms of playoff seeding, there's always bragging rights on the line when schools from two different states square off in SEC country.
16. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) vs. Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.)
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
This opening matchup for DeMatha will be a good challenge and a great game right out of the gate. Despite a strong past few seasons for the Stags, Archbishop Spalding is a hurdle they just haven't been able to get over the past couple years: DeMatha lost 14-0 in last season's meeting, and lost 26-10 the year before. Beyond being a good chance for redemption, it's an opportunity to set the tone early for the season, establishing some expectations right from season kickoff against a strong team.
17. Duncanville (Texas) vs. DeSoto (Texas)
Date: Sept. 12
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The Panthers will get an idea of just how good they’ll be early on in 2026. They’ll open the year at Allen and then host Cedar Hill before hosting DeSoto in one of the state’s top games regardless of class. Both rosters feature plenty of Power Four prospects but when it comes to the Panthers' defense, it’ll likely play the best running back they’ll see all season in DeSoto’s SaRod Baker, a Texas Tech commit.
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18. Brentwood Academy (TN) vs. Baylor (TN)
Date: Aug. 20
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
As big as Baylor and McCallie is, there may be no bigger matchup in the Volunteer State this season than the Week 1 opener between the Eagles and Red Raiders. A rematch of last year's Division II-AAA championship that Baylor won 28-24, both teams have simply reloaded rosters that feature some of the best players in the country. This could be a preview of a rematch in the DII-AAA championship again.
19. Creekside (GA) vs. Clay-Chalkville (AL)
Date: Aug. 22
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Creekside’s season opener against Clay-Chalkville is more than just a clash of state champions. It’s an opportunity to prove the Seminoles belong in the conversation with the South’s traditional powers. After setting a Georgia single-season record with 845 points en route to a 15-0 campaign, Creekside now faces an Alabama program that has built its reputation on physicality and postseason success. The Cougars won’t be overwhelmed by Creekside’s speed or star power, making this an ideal test of whether the Seminoles can win against an opponent capable of matching their talent. If Creekside passes, it'll send an early message that last year’s historic run was only the beginning.
20. Carol City (FL) vs. Miami Central (FL)
Date: Oct. 30
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
By the time Carol City and Miami Central meet on Oct. 30, there likely won’t be many secrets left between two programs with state championship aspirations. The Chiefs spent the offseason transforming their roster under new head coach Toro Wallace, adding impact transfers such as five-star wide receiver Nick Lennear, four-star defensive back Jailen Hill and quarterback Malik Leonard. Miami Central, meanwhile, remains the measuring stick in Miami-Dade County, making this the ultimate litmus test for whether Carol City’s roster overhaul has truly closed the gap. With the postseason just one week away, don’t be surprised if this rivalry has a playoff atmosphere in one of the country's top venues, Traz Powell Stadium.
21. Southlake Carroll (TX) vs. Jenks (OK)
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
The "Red River Rivalry" is one of college football’s best rivalries and this year we’ll get the high school version of that as Southlake Carroll and Jenks square off at the Cotton Bowl. Both teams came up short of winning state titles last year but each return a plethora of talent and have high expectations entering 2026. A win to open the season in the Cotton Bowl could set the tone for the type of championship campaign.
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22. Chandler (AZ) vs.Cathedral Catholic (CA)
Date: Sept. 4
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
Since Chandler's other two massive matchups between Basha and Hamilton have already been featured, we'll go ahead and feature the only other team that the Wolves lost to in 2025. Led by USC commit Honor Fa'alave-Johnson, the Dons hosted Chandler last season and scored 10 fourth quarter points to hold on for a 24-23 win. This year they'll make the trip to Arizona as they look to go 2-0 against the Wolves and five-star Oregon quarterback commit Will Mencl.
23. American Heritage (FL) vs. East St. Louis (IL)
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
While this Heritage team does have a handful of questions heading into 2026, this game should provide more of an indicator as to what to expect from the Patriots this year. The program is being built around junior QB Neimann Lawrence, who is primed for a huge season after playing at Miami Northwestern a season ago. There's a real case that Heritage's first five games — vs. West Boca Raton (FHSAA Class 6A champion), East St. Louis (IHSA Class 6A runner-up), Chaminade-Madonna (FHSAA Class 1A runner-up), Trinity Christian (FHSAA Class 1A Final Four) and Lakeland (FHSAA Class 5A runner-up) — is the toughest five-game stretch of anyone east of the Mississippi River.
24. Mount Carmel (IL) vs. St. Joseph Regional (NJ)
Date: Aug. 28
Kickoff time: 8 p.m.
Illinois’ top program and one of the premier New Jersey teams will kick off their seasons on ESPN as the Green Knights travel to Chicago. Both teams are coming off of a state championship runs with Mount Carmel winning the IHSA Class 8A state title and St. Joseph Regional winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A title over Don Bosco Prep.
25. Anderson (OH) vs. Trinity (KY)
Date: Aug. 21
Kickoff time: 7 p.m.
It'll be Ohio's best against Kentucky's best to open the 2026 season as the Raptors host Trinity out of Louisville. This will be one of the better quarterback matchups of the early season between Anderson senior Owen Scalf and Trinity junior Anthony Lowe. It also features two of the best cornerback prospects in the class between Vanderbilt commit Allen Evans and Notre Dame pledge Ace Alston.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pivotal game for each Super 25 high school football team's national title hopes
Continue reading...
