SAN ANGELO, TX — Here are our top five high school football games to watch this week in the Concho Valley and West Texas:
Canyon West Plains at Wall
The Wall Hawks will play their first-ever game as defending state champions when they welcome Canyon West Plains to town to kick off the 2026 season. Wall begins the year ranked No. 6 in Class 3A Division I, while West Plains is No. 10 in 4A Division I. Both of these teams lost a big chunk of starters after breakthrough seasons. Wall returns only three starters on offense and defense from its 16-0 team. West Plains brings back just two on both sides of the ball from a 12-2 team. One of those returners for the Wolves, however, is 2,000-yard running back Slade Russell.
For Wall fans, this will be their first look at new quarterback Gunner King, who replaces the 3A Offensive Player of the Year, Landon York, who threw for 4,019 yards and 59 touchdowns. He’ll have a couple of familiar receivers from last year in Evan Boehle and Jager Thompson. Gunner Garza will be the new featured running back.
This is one of the best matchups in the state between a couple of Top 10 teams, and it’s right here in the Concho Valley. Buckle up and enjoy.
The pick: West Plains 35, Wall 28
Abilene High at San Angelo Central
Central in action against Abilene High 2025
This will be the 100th meeting between these rivals, and it should be a good one. Both teams are coming off seasons in which they won a playoff game. Abilene High is the No. 18-ranked team in the state in 5A Division I after going 9-3 last year. Central is a program on the rise after an 8-4 campaign last fall that included the Bobcats’ first playoff win since 2020.
Abilene returns five starters on each side of the ball, while Central brings back six on offense and five on defense. The Bobcats have the edge in experience at some key positions, such as quarterback with Micah Smith (2,281 passing yards, 27 TDs) and running back with Zey Johnson (1,042 yards, 16 TDs).
Central has lost three straight games in this series, including 42-21 last year, but the Bobcats may be ready to turn the rivalry back in their favor at home.
The pick: San Angelo Central 31, Abilene High 27
San Angelo Lake View at Fort Stockton
The Lake View Chiefs are facing their biggest deficit of the season tonight at halftime against the Levelland Lobos at San Angelo Stadium.
The Lake View Chiefs had their winningest season in 29 years last season, and it began with a 42-7 win at home over Fort Stockton. The Panthers would love to get some payback when Lake View travels west to Fort Stockton to kick off this season.
The Panthers return seven starters on offense and four on defense from last year’s 6-5 team, including junior wideout Nicki Sotelo (25 catches, 523 yards). Lake View brings back six starters on each side of the ball, though the Chiefs lost some considerable firepower. They have senior quarterback Chris Alvizo, however, to lead a team that averaged 43 points per game last year.
This game should be closer this time around, but we think Lake View still returns home with a win.
The pick: Lake View 28, Fort Stockton 21
Junction at Goldthwaite
We have a matchup of state-ranked teams from Class 2A Division II with No. 11 Junction traveling to take on No. 13 Goldthwaite. Junction cruised to a 40-16 when they met last year, but these teams look very different for the rematch.
Junction returns only two starters on offense and four on defense from last year’s team that went 13-1 and reached the state quarterfinals. Running back Koda Bierschwale and wide receiver Casen Roberts are capable playmakers, but the Eagles must replace their quarterback and entire offensive line. Goldthwaite, meanwhile, brings back nine starters on offense and 10 on defense, led by linebackers Hagen Greenway (130 tackles) and Walt Thompson (125 tackles).
That significant advantage in experience may be too much for Junction to overcome in Week 1.
The pick: Goldthwaite 24, Junction 14
Reagan County at Mason
Mason's rebuilt Puncher Dome is shown is shown during the 2026 offseason.
The new Puncher Dome will be unveiled when Mason hosts Reagan County. The iconic stadium was damaged in a 2024 storm, reducing its covered grandstands to temporary bleachers. But it was recently rebuilt just in time for what could be a memorable year for the Punchers.
Mason will begin this season ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 2A Division I. The Punchers return nine starters on offense and eight on defense from last year’s state quarterfinal team, including district MVP Slade Buell (1,328 rushing yards as a QB and RB, and 87 tackles at linebacker). Luke Tharp, who rushed for 1,581 yards at San Saba, is one of a few key transfers.
Reagan County also returns nine starters on offense and eight on defense, but the Owls are coming off a 3-7 season. While there’s certainly reason for optimism in Big Lake this fall, this is a difficult challenge to kick off the year.
The pick: Mason 31, Reagan County 14
Honorable mention
Our season-opening slate was too good to be limited to five games, so here’s a quick look at five other notable matchups:
Eldorado at Christoval
These U.S. 277 rivals have been playing for years. Both teams feature two of the more promising quarterbacks in our area with Christoval’s second-year starter, junior Ty DeBusk (1,443 passing yards, 589 rushing yards), and Eldorado senior Garrett Walling, a 6-2, 230-pound athlete who was a standout tight end last year. Eldorado won this game 24-14 last year. This one might go down to the wire.
The pick: Eldorado 22, Christoval 21
Sonora at Miles
We have a unique meeting of three-year QBs when Sonora’s Aaron Segura leads his team against Miles’ Liam Yancy. Both signal callers will be surrounded by numerous returning starters, while Miles also has a couple of exciting newcomers, including Eldorado transfer Kane Brock at wide receiver and linebacker. Sonora blitzed Miles 40-0 last year. Expect a closer game this time.
The pick: Sonora 28, Miles 17
Water Valley at Garden City (on Thursday)
After back-to-back trips to the state semifinals, No. 13-ranked Water Valley will have a new look this season after graduating every starter but Branson Lacy. If you’re going to return only one guy, he’s a good one to bring back. Lacy rushed for 1,531 yards last year and added 558 receiving yards. He also had 115 tackles on defense. Garden City also lost most of last year’s team that went 6-5. The Bearkats bring back two starters on both sides of the ball, including Brody Walts, a first-team all-region running back who scored 28 TDs last year. He’ll be moving to spread back this fall. Water Valley should still be one of our area’s best six-man teams.
The pick: Water Valley 52, Garden City 28
Grandfalls at Sterling City
The Sterling City Eagles return to the six-man ranks after four years in 11-man. It won’t be an easy landing spot with Grandfalls (ranked No. 10 in 1A Division II) coming to town. Grandfalls returns most of last year’s 9-3 team, while Sterling City must get back up to speed in six-man after a 1-9 season last year in 11-man. The Eagles were a state power the last time they played at this level, though, with a state title in 2020 and a state quarterfinal appearance in 2021. It won’t happen immediately, but they’ll be back.
The pick: Grandfalls 46, Sterling City 30
Welch Dawson at Olfen
Olfen is still looking for its first win since becoming a varsity program in 2020. Could this be the one? The Mustangs lost three games by 10 points or less last year, and they were competitive in a 37-19 loss at Welch Dawson to start the year. This time, Olfen will be at home, and the Mustangs return four starters on both sides of the ball. They also have some stability with head coach Reese Wilson returning. Dawson returns three starters on each side of the ball from a 3-7 team. This could be a sneaky good game to watch.
The pick: Olfen 34, Welch Dawson 32
The Rest of Week 1
San Angelo TLCA at Tahoka
Coleman at Grape Creek
Ballinger at Eastland
Brackettville at Ozona
Forsan vs. Coahoma (at Big Spring)
Brady at Comfort
San Saba at De Leon
Winters vs. Shamrock (at Seymour)
Rankin at Rocksprings (on Thursday)
Robert Lee at Jayton (on Thursday)
Bronte at Menard (on Thursday)
Eden at Paint Rock
Veribest at Santa Anna
Irion County at Buena Vista
Aspermont at Blackwell
Blanket at Panther Creek
Lohn vs. Knippa (at Rocksprings on Thursday)
Richland Springs at Lometa
Sidney at Rochelle
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