Marquee game
Brennan vs. Reagan, 7 p.m. Friday at Farris Stadium: Two teams expected to be among the area’s best square off in a season opener. Brennan won 26-14 a year ago as quarterback Ashton Dubose threw for three touchdowns and his team’s defense nabbed two interceptions. Dubose accounted for nearly 2,900 yards of total offense and 41 touchdowns in 2020 as the Bears advanced to the Class 6A Division I third round before falling to Austin Vandegrift. Reagan, the defending District 28-6A champion, should be paced by quarterback Britton Moore (1,800 total yards and 18 TDs) and running back Carson Green (1,200 yards and 21 TDs).

Notable games
O’Connor vs. Brandeis, 7 p.m. Thursday at Farris Stadium: These rivals have usually met in late-season showdowns with a district championship on the line. With Brandeis realigned by the UIL in February 2020 to District 28-6A with North East ISD schools, the stakes have changed, but not the hype. Thursday’s contest is sold out. Both teams are coming off rare non-playoff seasons. Brandeis plays its first game under new coach Charles Bruce, who moved over after leading Wagner to Class 6A Division I bidistrict a year ago and the Class 5A Division I state semifinals in 2018 and 2019. Bruce and O’Connor coach David Malesky were teammates on Judson’s 1983 state championship squad.

Boerne at Alamo Heights, 7 p.m. Friday: The Mules advanced to the Class 5A Division II second round a year ago during coach Ron Rittimann’s first season after moving over from Johnson. Boerne made it to the Class 4A Division I third round and return standout quarterback Rashawn Galloway (more than 3,100 yards and 38 TDs). Alamo Heights will play its first home game since 2019. Orem Stadium was renovated the past two seasons and the Mules played their home contests at Comalander Stadium.

Wagner vs. Johnson, 7 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium: These clubs faced off in a Class 6A Division I bidistrict game, with Johnson prevailing 56-42. Both teams will have different look, with Johnson trying to overcome key losses to graduation and Wagner playing its first game for new coach Jason Starin, previously the Thunderbirds’ offensive coordinator before being promoted.

Brackenridge at Somerset, 7 p.m. Friday: For the third time in the past four seasons, these teams will meet in a season opener. Brackenridge won 13-0 in 2019 and Somerset prevailed 54-39 in 2018. Both squads will have new coaches. Somerset will be guided by Koy Detmer, who takes over the reins from his father, Sonny, who died in September 2020. Larry Norman takes over at Brackenridge for Willie Hall, who retired.

Tale of the tape
Judson secondary vs. DeSoto wide receivers: A year ago, the Eagles capitalized on the Rockets’ inexperienced defensive backfield en route to a 37-0 win. DeSoto threw for 356 yards in a game that was all but over at halftime. While graduation took a toll, DeSoto still has weapons on offense. Quarterback Matt Allen, last year’s backup, threw for a TD in last year’s meeting and appears to be the frontrunner for the starting spot. Allen will have junior wide receiver Johntay Cook II, a four-star prospect with a reported 32 college offers, including one to defending national champion Alabama, and three-star prospect Stephon Johnson, a transfer from Lancaster who has committed to Oregon, as targets. The state powers meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Rutledge Stadium.

Steele offensive line vs. Pflugerville Hendrickson defensive lineman Cedric Roberts: Expected to be led by Justin Elmore and Marshall Johnson, the Knights’ offensive line will be counted on heavily as for the first time since early in the 2017 season a quarterback not named Wyatt Begeal will be under center. Roberts, a 6-foot-4, 280-pounder committed to Oklahoma, should provide a stiff test when the teams meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Lehnhoff Stadium.

Boerne Champion quarterback Karson Kaiser vs. Stevens quarterback KK Brashears: Two of the area’s top returning signal-callers will try to lead their respective teams to an opening victory when they meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Boerne ISD Stadium. Brashears accounted for 2,800 yards and 29 TDs as the Falcons advanced to the regional semifinals. Kaiser passed for 1,600 yards and 16 scores as Boerne Champion made it to the second round.

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1