Marshall's new head coach Wale Okunnu picked up his first career victory Friday, Aug. 28, as the Buffalos beat Galveston Ball 32-7 to open the 2026 season.
Fort Bend ISD Athletics confirmed the milestone on social media, congratulating Okunnu after the Buffs' 32-7 season-opening win.
Okunnu, an Alief Taylor graduate, spent 14 years coaching in Alief ISD before Marshall named him head coach in March. He served eight seasons as Alief Taylor's defensive coordinator. The score said the rest.
Ridge Point knocks off No. 10 Dickinson
Ridge Point beat No. 10-ranked Dickinson 29-26 at Vitanza Stadium in a matchup of two Class 6A preseason-ranked teams. The Panthers entered at No. 15 in the Dave Campbell's Texas Football state rankings.
Head coach Rick LaFavers' squad returned eight defensive starters from a unit that allowed just 10.2 points per game in district play last season, according to the Houston Chronicle. Linebackers Brayden Bonik, Dyllon Bennett and Khalen Taylor anchored a defense that held Dickinson to 26 points. Bennett, a Hampton commit, is part of what Dave Campbell's Texas Football called one of the best linebacker trios in the state.
Quarterback Brody Bartee, who threw 28 touchdowns a year ago, led the offense against a Dickinson team that went 13-1 last season before falling to eventual state champion North Shore in the regional finals.
The win extends Ridge Point's run under LaFavers, who has led the Panthers to six consecutive district titles and a 44-game district winning streak.
Elkins falls in double overtime
Elkins came up short in a double-overtime opener, losing to Katy Mayde Creek 38-35. The Knights and Rams went back and forth through regulation and two overtime periods before Mayde Creek pulled ahead for good.
Travis, Stafford win
Fort Bend Travis handled Richmond Foster 43-21, while Stafford edged Hitchcock 43-42, according to Houston Chronicle scores. Full Week 1 scores from across the state are available from CW39.
Up next
Ridge Point hosts Shadow Creek at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at Mercer Stadium. Week 2 schedules for Marshall, Elkins, Travis and Stafford had not been confirmed at publication.
