Four Missouri City and Stafford high school football teams open the 2026 season Friday, Aug. 28, with matchups that will test local squads right out of the gate.

Ridge Point faces the toughest draw. The Panthers travel to Dickinson, ranked No. 9 in the USA Today Sports Southwest Super 15 preseason poll. Dave Campbell's Texas Football projects Dickinson to win by five points. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Ridge Point enters the year after sending 19 players from its 2026 graduating class to the college level, including 17 to Division I programs. During the recruiting cycle, 127 college coaches from 94 programs visited campus, and 155 offers went out to 21 players. Linebacker Aaron Williams, a University of North Carolina commit, earned a spot on the Touchdown Club of Houston's preseason All-Greater Houston team, announced Monday, Aug. 24, at the annual TD Club dinner.

The Panthers have won 11 consecutive UIL district championships dating to 2014.

Elkins opens at Katy Mayde Creek's Rhodes Stadium, also at 7 p.m. As we reported Aug. 27, the Knights added four new assistants ahead of the opener. Computer projections give Elkins a slim two-point edge over Mayde Creek.

Marshall hosts Galveston Ball in a 5A Division II matchup. Projections favor the Buffalos by 32 points, the widest margin among local openers. Marshall is listed as the home team, though the specific venue was not confirmed in available schedules.

Stafford travels to Hitchcock in a 4A Division II road opener. Projections favor Hitchcock by six points.

Fort Bend ISD Athletics announced Week 1 games at Mercer Stadium beginning Thursday, Aug. 27, with additional games Friday. The Missouri City-area venue hosts multiple Fort Bend ISD matchups across both nights.

Kickoff times for Marshall's and Stafford's games were not listed in available schedules as of Aug. 27. Fans can check team social media accounts for final details ahead of Friday's openers.