*All games non-district

Thursday

Seven Lakes at Memorial, 6:30 p.m. at Tully Stadium

Last Year: Seven Lakes 12, Memorial 10

• In a rematch of last year’s season opener for both teams, Seven Lakes and Memorial will meet at Tully Stadium to open the season.
  Both teams come off playoff appearances, with Seven Lakes reaching the bi-district round in Class 6A Division I and Memorial making the second round in Class 6A Division II. The Spartans will have an early chance to look at their revamped offense with a new quarterback under center in Tanner Perez. The Spartans are a team that want to pound the ground game this year with both Barrett Hudson and Marcel Davis leading the way in the backfield and they will look to spread things around in the pass game with a number of options.
  They will face a Memorial team that is rebuilding that but still looks like a playoff team in District 17-6A. The Mustangs are led by Kyle Sibilik at receiver, who will be a good test for the Spartans secondary early in the season. Chase Goodwin is a weapon at quarterback and Ethan Spears leads the Mustangs run game. The offense will show how a defense led by Dakyus Brinkley, Bruce Turner and IkeChika Ezima will do against high quality opponents.

Tompkins at Cy-Ranch, 6:30 p.m. at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Tompkins starts out the season with a strong opponent in Cy-Ranch that will test the Falcons in all areas in the teams season opener.
  It’s exactly what the Falcons are looking for out of their first game as Tompkins brings back a wealth of talent with a mix of talented newcomers stepping into some starting spots on varsity.
  Chris Gilbert Jr. and Wyatt Young will get a chance to shine in the season opener and prove how productive both can be in their respective spots, while a strong Tompkins offensive line will have a chance to prove itself against a very good front seven.
  On the defensive side of the ball, Tompkins will again have a strong 11. Caleb Komolafe and Cody Chapman will have their hands full in the back end against a strong skill group from Cy-Ranch but that’s exactly the reason why Tompkins scheduled this matchup.
  Cy-Ranch is led by Blake Baker at quarterback, who comes off a big junior season and Jarred Sample and Carson Littlefield are two athletic targets at wide receiver. Defensively, Ashton Porter and Christian Brathwaite headline the group and will provide a tough task for the Tompkins offense to have a successful day against.

Cinco Ranch at College Park, 7 p.m. alt Woodforest Stadium

Last Year: Cinco Ranch 35, College Park 14

• Cinco Ranch, like Seven Lakes will have a rematch of last years season opener when they take on College Park on Thursday.
  The Cougars have a strong offense that they bring back, especially at quarterback and the skill positions, where there is already lots of talent and chemistry between the team. They will get a chance to test that against a playoff team from last season when they face off against College Park. The Cinco defense will have a chance to prove themselves as well, as there are many plyers that are stepping into bigger roles on that side of the ball this season.
  Conner Dunphy will lead the College Park offense in his first year at quarterback and Brenton Martinez leads the running game behind an offensive line headlined by Cobe Williams. Defensively, Cole Walters is a huge presence at linebacker and Andrew Powdrell provides good cover for the team as a defensive back.
  Cinco Ranch won last years matchup 35-14 in a strong offensive day for the Cougars as the pass game was in full effect. The Cougars hope to have that same type of day against the Cavaliers on Thursday.

Mayde Creek at Westside, 7 p.m. at Delmar Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Mayde Creek has a huge chance to get their season off on the right foot as they take on Westside to open the season.
  Westside is expected to be a playoff team, but comng from a weak district and has holes that the Rams will no doubt be looking to exploit as they look for a season opening win this year.
  The Mayde Creek offense has some strong players coming back, as Carldell Beard has made great strides at quarterback heading into his senior season, Beau Bankston looks to be a strong weapon on the outside and Marvin Bodden looks to take a step up in the run game entering his senior season.
  Defensively, the back end is in very good hands, as Tay’Shawn Wilson can shut down any receiver in front of him and Braden Turner also is a very talented piece in the secondary. While Nicholas Buena and Trevin Lucius are both talented pieces in the front seven.
  The Mayde Creek defense will have to contend with a strong run game from Westside, as Jahbari Kuykendall can break away from defenses and comes off a 1600 yard season. And the Wolves can pass too, with Thaddeus Watson throwing for over 1000 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, but the Rams should be able to take advantage of an inexperienced offensive line. The Wolves do bring back six starters on offense, but it’s a challenge that Mayde Creek will be happy to accept as they gear up for tougher opponents in district play.

Friday

Paetow vs. Conroe, 6 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Paetow opens its inaugural 6A season by hosting Conroe on Friday, with the Panthers hoping to kick things off in the right fashion.
  It will be the first look at Paetow’s new offense, which head coach Lonnie Teagle describes as a “power spread” and will be a good early indicator in what we can expect from the team this season, but expect it to be balanced in run to pass, as Teagle and his staff plan to utilize both the air and ground game.
  Koby Truehill is set to take over at quarterback and has shown some really good promise heading into the year and the run game should be as strong as last year with Damyrion Phillips leading the backfield. And there are weapons all around in the pass game for the Panthers as well. And the Paetow defense should be tremendous and will have a chance to show it.
  It will be a good opening challenge for the team, as Conroe is led by Louis Williams III, who is a huge talent at receiver and will test the Paetow secondary, but there are questions at other positions that the Paetow defense should be able to take advantage of.
  Paetow’s offense will have to deal with a strong front seven from Conroe that should show how the Panthers will react to strong tams in District 19-6A as well, but the Panthers should be up to the challenge.

Katy at Clear Springs, 7 p.m. at Challenger Stadium

Last Year: Katy 40, Clear Springs 7

• Katy will open the season against Clear Springs for the second straight year when they travel to Challenger Stadium on Friday. The Tigers once again have a tremendous running game behind senior running backs Seth Davis and Dallas Glass and a huge offensive line. Caleb Koger will have a chance to show his skills as well as he leads the pass game with JR Ceyanes taking the spot of the top receiver on the team.
  Defensively, the Tigers bring back a strong core and will have a chance to show that against a very strong offense in Clear Springs.
  Quarterback is a question mark for the Chargers but they do have weapons all around the offense. Ashton Schumann is strong at receiver while Xia’Shaun Edwards comes off a 1500 yard year and can make an impact in the ground game at running back. Defensively, Clear Springs is led by Branson Winter at defensive line while Michael Sylvalie will provide a nice challenge to Katy at linebacker. But the Tigers come into the matchup as clear favorites.

Taylor vs. Cy-Woods, 7 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Taylor will have a big test early as they face a playoff team from last year to open the season in Cy-Woods. The Mustangs offense will have a chance to prove themselves with Joe Jefferson leading the charge at quarterback and Dante Archie looking to make a jump in his junior season, while the team brings back players with varsity experience on both the line and at receiver.
  On defense there are tons of returners all over the field and the coaching staff believes there will be lots of improvement on that side of the ball from the team, and this will be a perfect opportunity to see the areas they are good at and where they need to improve.
  Cy-Woods will challenge the Mustangs, especially the mustangs offense, as the Wildcats return six starters from last years playoff team. Dylan Rodgers is a force at linebacker and Terrane Green is a very strong presence on the defensive line, while Sawyer Despres leads the back end of the defense.
  The Taylor defense though will have a chance to go after some young and inexperienced players on offense, especially at the skill positions for the Wildcats, and the Mustangs will hope to put together a good all-around game for the win.

Saturday

Morton Ranch vs. Eisenhower, 6 p.m. at Legacy Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Morton Ranch wanted a strong non-district schedule and will kick things off with a good opponent in Eisenhower.
  The Morton Ranch offense returns tons of firepower all over the field, bringing back its leading passer in Josh Johnson, leading rusher in Santana Scott and leading receiver in Mike Gerald.
  Defensively, there are also tons of returners, and it looks to be a strong core that can make a playoff push this year. So Morton Ranch will hope to prove they can do just that when it plays Saturday.
  The Mavericks will be tested offensively, as Eisenhower has one of the best players in the area in Ryan Niblett, who had over 700 receiving yards and 400 rushing yards last year and is a four star recruit. Zacchaeus Henry can sling it at the quarterback position and Deon DeBlanc is another weapon on the offensive end.
  Defensively, the Mavericks will have to deal with a strong secondary, but they should be able to take advantage of some youth and inexperience on the defensive line. A fact that the Mavericks will no doubt seize on as they try to get a season opening win.

Jordan vs. Aldine Davis, 7 p.m. at Rhodes Stadium

Last Year: Did not play

• Jordan’s first game as a 6A program comes against Aldine Davis, in a matchup that is very intriguing to see where the young Warriors are in terms of development for this year.

Since the Warriors had no seniors last season, they bring back every starter on both sides of the ball and will be looking to have improvements now that they have made the jump to facing bigger programs.
The Warriors have an offense that can be lethal through the air, with multiple options at receiver and a quarterback that can sling it. Defensively, Jordan has some strong players and they will be able to test themselves against a good opponent to start the season.
One area where Jordan needs to prove themselves and where Davis is expected to excel this season is in the trenches on both sides of the ball, as Davis has big physical lines. Offensively, tight end Kameron Carter is expected to be a handful and will test the Jordan defense, while defensively, Lamon Houston will be a test for the Jordan offensive line and Jordan’s wide receivers will have to have a good day against a strong defensive back in Stephen Howard. But it is a winnable game for the Warriors and will be a good game as a season opener.