It's the first week of the 2022 Texas high school football season, with 700+ games scattered across the state. There are favorites...but who could spring the upset?

Using DCTF's computer projections, Ishmael Johnson and Greg Tepper identify four teams that could pull the upset in Week 1.

Dripping Springs over Austin Vandegrift
Vandegrift favored by 13

Austin Vandegrift has been one of the most consistent programs in the Central Texas/Austin region during most, if not all, of Drew Sanders’ tenure. The Vipers and their staunch defense are a three-round staple year in and year out and it’s no surprise that our computers project them to start the year off right.

However, we may be in the midst of one of the best runs in Dripping Springs history in no small part thanks to star quarterback Austin Novosad. Don’t be shocked to see the Tigers get off to a hot start and shock the area with a big win. — Ishmael Johnson

Mission Veterans Memorial over MIssion
Mission favored by 6

It's a true rivalry game down in the Rio Grande Valley, with Mission taking the last four meetings in the series. But Mission Vets played it tight last season — a 1-point loss to the Eagles — and that could signal a changing of the tide in the rivalry. Both teams are going to be very young; Mission returns just five starters from last year's playoff team, while Vets has just eight back. But the guts of the Patriots' team, specifically offensive line and linebacker with Luis DeHoyos patrolling the middle, should be strong. If the Patriots can find some answers at the skill position spots, they could take down their 6A rival and signal to the Valley that they're ready for prime time. — Greg Tepper

Melissa over Argyle
Argyle favored by 8

Last season, the Cardinals finally nabbed the Eagles in a 21-0 shutout during the regular season and with a key number of starters, particularly Nigel Smith and Caleb Otlewski on defense, Melissa is poised to get one over on the north Texas power again.

It’s also fitting that both programs’ first game in 5A is against each other, but Argyle may take a little bit before the potent offense settles behind new quarterback Jacob Robinson. — Ishmael Johnson

Cy-Fair over Bridgeland
Bridgeland favored by 8

Two teams in the same school district, yet on opposite sides of the bracket (Bridgeland is District 16-6A, Cy-Fair in District 17-6A), meet for what should be a hard-hitting and informative matchup. Bridgeland begins life without superstar quarterback Conner Weigman, off to Texas A&M, and must find an answer both under center and in the secondary. Meanwhile, coach Jeff Miller's Bobcats look like they could take a big step forward, especially with the return of return of quarterback Trey Owens and defensive end Ethan Anderson. A lot of this comes down to how quickly Bridgeland figures out QB, but Cy-Fair could pounce on them early. — Greg Tepper