Texas Top 10 High School Football Games of the Week

Video: Ford Center and The Star at Frisco
Frisco Independent School District teams to call indoor facility home.

Nationally-ranked confrontations, tests from a handful of out-of-state opponents and some enticing regional duels trumpet the start of the 2016 high school football season in Texas.

Here is a look at some of the top Week 1 matchups: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) at Cedar Hill
7 p.m. Saturday

The Longhorns, back-to-back Class 6A-DII state champions in 2014 and 2015, return 60 seniors still smarting from a first-round playoff exit a year ago. University of Oklahoma pledge Charleston Rambo is one of a handful of talented wide receivers available to quarterback Avery Davis, verbally committed to Notre Dame. The Nevada invaders are ranked No. 3 in MaxPreps Xcellent 25 presented by the Army National Guard and Cedar Hill is No. 5.

Katy at Westlake (Austin)
7:30 p.m. Friday



The defending Class 6A-DII state champion Tigers with their proud defensive tradition travel to the state capital to face last year's Class 6A-DI state finalist led by perhaps the state's best quarterback, University of Texas commit Sam Ehlinger (76 career touchdowns in 26 games). Katy is No. 12 nationally in the Xcellent 25 rankings and Westlake debuted this week at No. 25.

Judson (Converse) at Lake Travis (Austin)
7:30 p.m. Friday

A Class 6A-DI state semifinalist last year, the Rockets return eight starters including junior quarterback Julon Williams. Lake Travis, the Class 6A-DII state finalist, also returns its signal caller -- SMU pledge Charlie Brewer. Lake Travis is No. 20 nationally in the Xcellent 25 ranking.

Hoover (Ala.) at Allen
7 p.m. Friday

The Terry Gambill era officially begins for the former coach at Midway (Waco). He takes over a program that captured three state titles in the last four seasons under departed head coach Tom Westerberg and is undefeated in its $60 million stadium. With the return of quarterback Mitchell Jonke and running back Kirby Bennett, the cupboard is far from bare. Hoover won its season opener and its 11 state titles are an Alabama record.

Cedar Park at Midway (Waco)
7:30 p.m. Friday



The defending Class 5A-DII state champion, coming off a 16-0 campaign, is led by fullback/linebacker Tyler Lavine, a recruit of the Army football program. For host Midway, new head coach Jeff Hulme must replace 16 starters from a team that went three rounds deep in the Class 6A playoffs last season.

Nederland at West Orange-Stark (Orange)
7:30 p.m. Friday

The Bulldogs return 11 starters from a team that advanced two rounds in the Class 5A playoffs last season but face a tough opponent in West Orange-Stark, the defending Class 4A-DII state champion. The Mustangs graduated only five starters from a 15-1 club.

Union (Tulsa, Okla.) at Carroll (Southlake)
7:30 p.m. Friday

If the rematch is anything approaching the 2014 meeting, a 42-41 overtime win for Carroll, fans at Dragon Stadium are in for a treat. Mason Holmes returns at quarterback for Carroll after throwing for 38 touchdowns as a junior.

Spring Westfield (Houston) at Lamar (Houston)
7 p.m. Thursday



Westfield thrives on its running game and this year that means Daniel Young will be in the spotlight. Lamar, the pride of the Houston ISD, appears ready to significantly add to the 345-win total of coach Tom Nolen. Defensive end Jefferson Collins leads a ball-hawking defense.

Breckenridge at Cisco
7:30 p.m. Friday

Both clubs went out in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs a year ago, Breckenridge in DI and Cisco in DII. Buckaroos linebackers Max Palacios and Brady Tennison will be faced with slowing the host Loboes' versatile quarterback Kase Gayle.

Gilmer at Liberty-Eylau (Texarkana)
7:30 p.m. Thursday

Safety Kollin Hurt, a Louisiana Tech pledge, intercepted 11 passes last season, helping 14-1 Gilmer advance to the Class 4A-DII state semifinals. Liberty-Eylau went four rounds in last year's postseason and returns University of Texas pledge Lagaryonn Carson on the defensive front.