HS Football: Preview of week one of the 2023-2024 season.

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- With school starting on Wednesday it means that football season is just around the corner. Here is a preview of the action that teams will be taking part in during week one of play.

The Woodlands vs North Shore
Woodforest Bank Stadium - 08/25/23 – 7 PM

Two of the most dominant teams in the greater Houston area square off once again to kick off the 2023-2024 season.

Last year saw the Mustangs of North Shore surge to a 35-point lead that the Highlanders would never catch up to, ultimately falling 49-21.

The Woodlands enter this matchup and the 2023-2024 season after a disappointing loss to the eventual state champion Duncanville Panthers in the playoffs with tenured Head Coach Jim Rapp at the helm, the Highlanders will look to get revenge for last year’s loss and ride the momentum forward throughout the season.

College Park vs Cinco Ranch
Rhodes Stadium – 08/25/23 – 7 PM

A bitter rematch between the Cinco Ranch Cougars and visiting College Park Cavaliers will open both teams' 2023 football season.

The Cougars got the best of College Park last season, with a resounding 41-13 defeat of the Cavaliers at Woodforest Bank Stadium. The Cougars put on an offensive clinic in the opener by scoring in every quarter of play.

College Park will immediately be put to the test with first-year head coach Kyle Coats taking over the program. Coats served as Desoto High School's defensive coordinator during last season, culminating in a state championship. Coats will look to emulate the same success with the Cavaliers program by getting an opening week win against the Cougars.

Oak Ridge vs Brenham
Cub Stadium – 08/25/23 – 7 PM

The Oak Ridge War Eagles travel to Brenham to take on the Cubs as both of the teams’ season openers for 2023.

This game acts as a rematch from last season’s opener which saw Oak Ridge ride stellar second-half production, including 17 points in the fourth quarter, to finalize a comeback against Brenham and seal the victory 23-13.

Both teams will look to start their seasons off on the right foot and put positive momentum on their side heading into a competitive 2023-2024 season.

Grand Oaks vs Aldine Nimitz
Woodforest Bank Stadium – 08/24/23 – 7 PM

The Grand Oaks High School varsity football team welcomes Aldine Nimitz High School in a rematch to open the 2023-2024 season.

The Grizzlies will be led by 1st-year head coach and newly appointed Campus Athletic Director Shaun McDowell, who most recently coached at Foster High School for a decade. McDowell enters his 21st year of teaching and coaching and must turn around the Grand Oaks football program.

Last year’s matchup saw Grand Oaks, then under the leadership of Dr. Mike Jackson, play in a hard-fought, contested battle to open each team’s respective season.

Aldine Nimitz rode a relentless air attack to a 26-24 lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter. Then sophomore, Christian Nunly, led a late push to reach the endzone and seal the victory in favor of Grand Oaks.

McDowell will look to replicate the same success from a year ago in his first game at the helm for the Grizzlies.

Conroe vs Katy Paetow
Moorehead Stadium – 08/25/23 – 7 PM

The Conroe Tigers welcome the Paetow Panthers to open the 2023-2024 season to hopefully avenge last year’s low-scoring defeat.

The Panthers’ stout defensive effort held the Tigers to single digits with the team’s only points coming from a first-quarter field goal. All it took for Paetow was to outlast the Tigers and they did so, winning 14-3.

Conroe will look to bounce back from an up-and-down 2022 season by opening up this year’s campaign with a win against the Panthers at home.

Willis vs Bryan Rudder
Merrill Green Stadium – 8/25/23 - 7 PM

The Willis Wildkats travel to Bryan to face the Rudder High School Rangers in a rematch of last season’s opener.

Last year was up and down for the Wildkats but they were able to snag a resounding win against the Rangers in 2022. With stellar first-half offense from Quarterback D.J. Lagway, who put up six touchdowns of his own, Willis was able to drop 73 points in comparison to Ruddder’s 14.

This game will be a proving point for the rest of the athletic district as the Wildkats barely missed out on the playoffs due to dropping one too many games during district play. With the potential for a good start on the line, Willis will look to show off all that they’ve got.

New Caney vs Montgomery
Randall Reed Stadium – 08/25/23 – 7 PM

After a perfect regular season in 2022, the New Caney Eagles will once again open their season with the Montgomery High School Bears.

An offensive showcase pushed the Eagles ahead by 14 at the end of the first quarter and the team never looked back afterwards. The final score ended in New Caney’s favor 49-14.

This game serves as a bid for revenge on Montgomery’s part as well as the first look at newly appointed New Caney Head Coach Mike DeWitt. With eight years of head coaching experience under his belt, DeWitt will look to emulate the same success of last season.

Caney Creek vs Sam Rayburn
Veterans Memorial Stadium – 08/26/23 – 6 PM

The Caney Creek Panthers will open their 2023-2024 season with a rematch of last season’s opener against Sam Rayburn High School.

Consistency was the name of the game for Caney Creek in last season’s matchup with points being put up in every quarter. The Panthers would beat the Texans 33-28 in their only win of the season.

With last season’s futility in the back of their minds, Caney Creek must look to start 2023 on the right foot with an opening game win against the Texans.

Cleveland vs Splendora
Wildcat Stadium – 08/25/23 – 7:30 PM

The Cleveland Indians begin the 2023-2024 season with a chance at payback by traveling to play the Splendora Wildcats.

It was a hard-fought matchup last season that saw the Wildcats take home a three-point victory that sent the Indians tail spinning into a season that saw them hoist only one win.

Cleveland will aim its sights at Splendora with the hopes of starting on the right foot.