Summer vacation: You are on notice.
Here we are. The final weekend of July. For the high school football community of Montgomery County, it’s time to get your final trip to the lake in. Or maybe rest up in the air conditioning and fire up Netflix.
It’s time for the final march toward the beginning of the 2023 season.
Practice starts Monday for teams that didn’t partake in spring ball. August 7 is circled for those teams who worked out back in April and May.
If you’re reading this on The Courier’s website on Saturday, we have 26 days to kickoff (25 for those who still rock the print edition).Â
Here’s a team-by-team look at some of the games we are looking forward to this season.
Teams are listed in alphabetical order.
CANEY CREEK
Vs. Sam Rayburn (Week 1, Aug. 26): Caney Creek won its season opener last year over the Texans, but its first season in Class 6A wasn’t too kind to the Panthers as they lost the following week in nondistrict play before going winless in District 13-6A. Caney Creek has won its season opener the past two seasons and will look to get out to a good start here with the lone Saturday night game in Week 1 for Montgomery County.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Conroe (Week 3, Sept. 8) — The two Conroe ISD neighbors meet for the second time ever as Panthers head coach Kendall Hineman faces not only his alma mater, but also the coaching staff where he came from in 2020.Â
COLLEGE PARK
Vs. Grand Oaks (Week 3, Sept. 7): It’s a battle of Conroe ISD’s newest head coaches as the Cavaliers, now led by Kyle Coats, takes on Shaun McDowell’s Grand Oaks Grizzlies. After losing their final five District 13-6A games last year, the Cavaliers hope to begin the new league year strong and keep an unbeaten mark all-time against the Grizzlies in the process.
Vs. The Woodlands (Week 8, Oct. 13): Woodforest Bank Stadium is the place to be this Friday night as the next chapter of the War of the Woods is written. After winning the district title with a win over the Highlanders in 2020, the Cavaliers have been outscored by their rivals 53-16 the last two years.
CONROE
Vs. Paetow (Week 1, Aug. 25): There’s a lot of excitement at 3200 West Davis in 2023 as the Tigers return – after a second straight trip to the playoffs – to new athletic facilities and upgrades. Conroe is tasked with a tough nondistrict season opener with the Panthers, who are under the guidance of David Hicks, who had the interim head coach tag removed in the offseason. Conroe battled to a 14-3 loss last year when Paetow was the defending state champions.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Willis (Week 4, Sept. 15) — The Tigers and Wildkats meet for the fourth straight year in what has been a fun and exciting series for the neighbors along I-45. Two games (2020, 2022) have been decided by four points or less (the teams split). Conroe’s last trip to Yates Stadium in 2021 resulted in a 35-14 win in the regular season finale.
COVENANT CHRISTIAN
Vs. Pasadena First Baptist Christian (Week 10, Oct. 27):Â The Cougars are itching for this one. Last year the Warriors won in TAPPS 6-Man District 5 (Div. II) play and then eliminated Covenant in the state semifinals in a wild 84-46 contest. The Cougars were 10-1 otherwise.
GRAND OAKS
Vs. Nimitz (Week 1, Aug. 24): The Grizzlies start anew in 2023 with McDowell, who had a decade of success in charge of Foster. Grand Oaks will have the sole spotlight on opening night in Montgomery County with a Thursday night game against the Cougars at Woodforest Bank Stadium. Grand Oaks beat Nimitz last year 31-26 and was 4-2 as the home team last year at The Bank.Â
Honorable Mention: Vs. Conroe (Week 9, Oct. 19) — Although the Grizzlies are probably looking forward to playing rival Oak Ridge earlier in the month, this Thursday night game with Conroe might be more important. The Grizzlies are 1-2 all-time against the Tigers – including a 51-28 defeat last year – and this matchup could have major playoff implications.
JOHN COOPER
Vs. Trinity Valley (Week 9, Oct. 20):Â The Dragons shellacked the Trojans over a span of three weeks last year. The final matchup being the Southwest Preparatory Conference 3A title game, which John Cooper won 63-31. Overall, the Dragons defeated Trinity Valley by a combined score of 103-65. Cooper is 5-2 all-time against the Trojans.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Houston Christian (Week 8, Oct. 13) — It will be senior night for the Dragons as they welcome the Mustangs. Last year’s 26-21 win was the closest call for the Dragons in SPC play last year.
LAKE CREEK
Vs. Montgomery (Week 6, Sept. 29):Â The 2022 MoTown Showdown wore out the scoreboard operator. The Lions, en route to the District 10-5A (Div. II) title, won 80-55 that Friday night over the Bears in one of the highest scoring games in the state last year. This is the sixth meeting between the rivals as the Lions, as the visiting team, will look to even the all-time series.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Angleton (Week 1, Aug. 25) — After going 1-5 in nondistrict play in 2021, the Lions went 4-0 last year and it started with a statement win over Angleton, 42-38. This year’s meeting with the Wildcats is on the road.
LEGACY PREP
Vs. Northland Christian (Week 1, Aug. 25): The Lions kickoff the season at home as Sam Oelschlegel makes his head coaching debut. Legacy Prep fell 42-20 to the Cougars to begin 2022, but the Lions won the previous five meetings and are 5-2 all-time against Northland Christian.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Bay Area Christian (Week 10, Oct. 27) — The Lions and Broncos meet for the third straight year in district play. The Lions look to end a two-game slide, including a tough 21-13 loss on the road last season.
MAGNOLIA
Vs. Fulshear (Week 3, Sept. 9): Just like a year ago, Magnolia will be tested early and often in District 10-5A (Div. I). Last year, the Bulldogs stood toe-to-toe with Fulshear to open district play and fell short 53-50. Magnolia hits the road this time to visit the Chargers and are hoping for some good footing as the Bulldogs look to return to the playoffs after missing out last season.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Tomball (Week 2, Sept. 1) — The Bulldogs hit the road for a short trip to visit the Cougars in their stadium, which opened in 2021. Magnolia and Tomball have quite the recent history. The Bulldogs are 7-1 against Tomball since 2014, including a 34-29 win last year.
MAGNOLIA WEST
Vs. Magnolia (Week 7, Oct. 6): The Magnolia Bowl scene shifts back to the west side of town. Magnolia West won 26-21 in an entertaining game a year ago at Bulldog Stadium. The Mustangs hold a 10-5 advantage over the Bulldogs, with their most recent loss in 2020. The last three meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Friendswood (Week 11, Nov. 3) — The Mustangs – who played in five District 10-5A (Div. I) games decided by five points or less last season – made the playoffs when it beat a tough Friendswood team on the road in Week 11 with 4:51 to play to claim the final playoff spot. This could have playoff implications again this season, with Friendswood visiting this time.
MONTGOMERY
Vs. Huntsville (Week 5, Sept. 22): Montgomery grabbed a win by a touchdown over the Hornets last year and it was crucial to making the playoffs six weeks later. The Bears travel to the Hornets’ new stadium hoping to begin District 10-5A (Div. II) with a win once again this season.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Bryan Rudder (Week 11, Nov. 3) — Last year, the Bears took care of business on a Thursday night on the road to return to the playoffs for the second straight season. Rudder comes to town this year in what could be a meaningful playoff picture game again.
NEWÂ CANEY
Vs. The Woodlands (Week 4, Sept. 14): New Caney crashed the District 13-6A party a year ago when it beat The Woodlands in the second league game and eventually won the District 13-6A title. This year’s game is on the Highlanders’ home turf as they look to avenge last year’s 14-7 defeat to the Eagles.
Honorable Mention: Vs. College Park (Week 10, Oct. 27) — New Caney and College Park don’t have much of a history. But this matchup pits two new head coaches in District 13-6A in Coats and New Caney’s new leader, Mike DeWitt. Last year, despite missing the playoffs, College Park was the next best competition of the Eagles in district play as New Caney prevailed by 10 points.
OAK RIDGE
Vs. Willis (Week 11, Nov. 3): There will be future SEC talent all over the field as future Georgia Bulldogs Justin Williams (linebacker) and Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (defensive line) look to chase around Florida commit DJ Lagway, the Willis quarterback. Star power and a possible game of playoff implications should draw a lot of eyes to Berton A. Yates Stadium this fall evening.
Honorable Mention: Vs. The Woodlands (Week 3, Sept. 8) — With the aforementioned prospects on the field, Oak Ridge attempts once again to top The Woodlands. The Highlanders won 45-17 last year and are 19-0 all-time against the War Eagles.
PORTER
Vs. New Caney (Week 2, Sept. 1): East Montgomery County football fans will gather once again at Randall Reed Stadium as the Spartans take another shot at New Caney in nondistrict play. The Spartans are still winless in the ‘Battle Line on 59’ and last year was a forgettable 49-0 defeat.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Crosby (Week 7, Oct. 6) — This matchup a year ago helped decide the final playoff spot out of District 8-5A (Div. I) as the Cougars edged Porter 26-21. The Spartans went on to win four of their final five games after the defeat. The last three meetings between the programs were decided by a touchdown or less.
SPLENDORA
Vs. Cleveland (Week 1, Aug. 7): Splendora beat the Indians 24-21 last season in Week 1, but then dropped nine straight games. There’s no doubt the Wildcats are ready to wash away the sting of defeat when Cleveland comes to Wildcat Stadium.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Huffman-Hargrave (Week 8, Oct. 13) — The Wildcats and Falcons meet for the sixth straight season. Could be a pivotal game as both teams missed out on the playoffs a year ago. In a six-team district, anything goes.
THE WOODLANDS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Vs. Lutheran South (Week 10, Oct. 27):Â When TWCA beat Lutheran South 24-6 last season, it catapulted the Warriors into the playoffs where the team went two rounds deep. TWCA is 2-1 against the Pioneers since the teams became district foes in 2020.
Honorable Mention: Vs. John Cooper (Week 1, Aug. 25) — TWCA did something nobody else could figure out last season. The Warriors beat in-township rival John Cooper in Week 1 a year ago before the Dragons went on to win the SPC 3A title.
THE WOODLANDS
Vs. Willis (Week 10, Oct. 26): A Thursday night standalone game and the final high school meeting between two of the best quarterback prospects in the history of Montgomery County should draw a good crowd at Woodforest Bank Stadium. The Woodlands’ Mabrey Mettauer (Wisconsin) is 2-0 in starts against Willis, which is led by Willis star DJ Lagway (Florida).
Honorable Mention: Vs. North Shore (Week 1, Aug. 26): The Highlanders welcome in the Class 6A (Div. I) state runner-up in the Mustangs in an intriguing nondistrict offering in Week 1. The Woodlands get another shot after a 49-21 loss last season on the road. The Woodlands is 2-6 all-time against the Mustangs.
WILLIS
Vs. New Caney (Week 3, Sept. 15): New Caney went unbeaten in District 13-6A last year. Willis will look to ruin that streak on its trip to Randall Reed Stadium for the league opener. The Wildkats had a rough time a year ago against the Eagles a year ago and will no doubt be motivated by that.
Honorable Mention: Vs. Temple (Week 2, Aug. 26) — The home opener is also circled for Willis. Last year’s game at Temple was disastrous with a couple key injuries suffered in a 34-20 loss. Berton A. Yates Stadium will be packed for this quality nondistrict matchup.
