Another week is upon us and I think we've found some great games and some great mascots for the picks this week. Maybe a hint of things cooling off across the state as the seasons heats up. Big shout to Waco Reicher for breaking their 34 game losing streak last week. They make the Quick Hits section this week but I'm still picking against them. Two in a row and we'll have to move them up to the top section. Have fun as we head down the road of the 2026 season and we'll see what twists and turns await us this week.
This Week: (Season: 7-6)
Dallas Christian @ Arlington Oakridge -- After last week's season opening rivalry clash the Chargers have a bit of trap set for them. The Owls are the defending SPC 3A champions and look to be a contender again for the Conference title. Oakridge shutout a squad from Hawaii last week leaving us with plenty of mystery heading into game 2 of the season. Last season's 10-0 team allowed just 17 points per game and after allowing 0 in game 1 it will be tough for the DC offense to put up any big numbers this week. The Owls have won 12 in a row but against a very different list of opponents to Dallas Christian. Not different in an inferior way, just not a lot to compare. Both teams dominated Atlas last year and look to be contenders this year. This is a really good cross-conference match that will tell us a lot about how SPC 3A and TAPPS DIII compare in 2026. These two have played rarely in the MaxPreps era with just one biennium in 2010 and 2011. The Chargers squeaked out 10 and 6 point wins then in relatively low scoring contests. This looks to be much of the same style of game. Chargers secure a tight road win, 27-20.
Dallas Covenant @ Colleyville Covenant Christian -- The battle of Covenant heads to the West side of the airport for the 7th renewal in just four seasons. In the previous six matchups each has won three. So the rubber match of sorts could have big wild card implications in Division III. The Knights have been DC's biggest district rival the last two seasons but have struggled in the biggest games despite putting up 15 wins across the last two campaigns. This season they are 1-1 with a dominant win over Coram Deo and 1-point home loss to Austin St. Michael's. The Cougars had a disappointing start to the season with a road loss to Pantego but rebounded last week with a win. A season ago the Cougars claimed a 34-22 win in Dallas. Both teams seem right below the contenders in Division III and this is a chance to position themselves as a team that could challenge last year's finalist and try to displace them. Not sure about this one at all, so the hoe team seems the way to go. Thus, Cougars win a close high scoring one 39-33.
Argyle Liberty Christian @ Celina -- Always an attraction when one of the expected contenders takes on one of the big ticket UIL opponents. The Warriors have been a mystery early in the season. They were dominating Midland Christian in the 1st half of the opener and then the defensive dam broke. A 66-63 loss at home when you lead by 35 is a stinging blow. To their credit they answered the bell the next week and broke Fort Worth All Saints 29 game win streak. They did so on the road too. So a home loss that they were favored and road win when they were the underdogs. Division I looks to be extremely competitive in District 1. The Bobcats are among the most storied programs in Texas and the growth of DFW has pushed them all the way into 5A. They won their opener of the Legacy School of Sports Sciences and this game will close their non-district slate with this one. These two schools met eight times between 2006 and 2019 with Liberty winning just once. The depth of the Bobcats should get them over the top in this one, but I think these Warriors will not be blown out by anyone this year. Celina survives a challenge, 41-35.
Bellaire Episcopal @ Dallas Parish Episcopal -- The Knights are always a threat in SPC 4A and 2026 is no different. A season opening win over St. Thomas is always a good start for a Houston area private school. Last season was a little down for the Knights with just 6 wins but still made the SPC 4A title game. Notably one of the 5 losses was to this Parish Episcopal team. The Panthers were overwhelmed by All Saints in the opener, losing 31-11. They are still the school that's won 5 of the last 6 TAPPS Division I titles so will be a force down the line. Parish responded with a 28-14 win over Kinkaid last week to level their record at 1-1. Particularly with the game on the blue turf of Parish I think they win this one, but a nice measuring stick game for both teams. Panthers win 30-20.
Plano Prestonwood Christian @ Fort Worth Christian -- The Cardinals absolutely demolished Bishop Lynch in their opener, 40-0. Last week's rivalry visit to DC turned into a 28-17 loss after FWC led 10-7 late in the 3rd quarter. Finding that offensive form will be needed to topple Prestonwood. The Lions lost the Division I title game in a defensive slugfest last season so naturally the season opener required 45 points for a Prestonwood comeback win. Historically the Lions have been known for producing lots of points so 2026 seems to be on that track early on. These two have not met since 2005, so a bit of intrigue with the Lions making a rare trip to Holiday Lane in North Richland Hills. Incredible to look back at 2005 and see Prestonwood played both Fort Worth Christian and Garland Christian. Historically Prestonwood has been the stronger side, but this looks to be a very game FWC squad. I think the Lions are ahead but not a walkover of any kind. Lions win 35-26.
Austin Regents @ Houston Kinkaid -- The Knights are always a regular season juggernaut and I see know reason to expect anything different this season. Regents opened the season with a 45-14 drubbing of Brazos Christian and appear on track to threaten for one of the Division II titles. Only All Saints could take out the 2025 Knights, but along the way the closest contest was a 23-20 win over Kinkaid. The Falcons finished 9-2 and SPC 4A champions a season ago and will be looking to ascend that mountain again. However, a trip to Colorado and a clash of champions with Parish Episcopal has them 0-2 to start the season. This should be another good game but Regents won a year ago and is off to the better start this year. Knights win 28-21.
Fort Worth Trinity Valley @ La Jolla Country Day (CA) -- We love mascots in this space (not the Eagles) so this game makes the cut this week. The Trojans won their opener in the Battle of Bryant Irvin with a 1-point win over Southwest Christian. Trinity Valley travels west for an out of state opponent. So with likely their only appearance ever in this column we head to La Jolla. The Torreys (take note Eagles everywhere) have started their campaign 2-0 and enter off an OT win over Mt. Carmel (the Sun Devils by the way). Always fun to see the Texas vs. California showdown, but I think California takes this one. Torreys win a shootout, 45-44.
Quick Hits: (Season: 16-4)
Slaton over Lubbock Christian
San Antonio Holy Cross over Addison Trinity Christian Academy
Dallas First Baptist over Arlington Grace Prep
New Braunfels Christian over San Antonio Christian
Frisco Legacy Christian over Episcopal School of Dallas
Little Rock Catholic over Plano John Paul II
Midland Christian over Jarrell
Tomball Concordia Lutheran over The Woodlands Christian
Temple Central Texas Christian over League City Bay Area Christian
Corpus Christi Incarnate Word over Waco Reicher
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