The 2024 Texas high school football season is careening toward us with terrifying speed, with just six weeks until the first Friday night of the year. And because it is the first year of a new UIL alignment, this season will look much different than the ones that preceded it, with new opponents and a seismic shift in what the playoff brackets will look like.

There are 192 new UIL Texas high school football districts, plus dozens of private school districts, that will help to shape the 2024 Texas high school football season. And while every district game matters, there are some that matter even more.

So mark your calendars as we count them down: here are the 25 must-see district games in the 2024 Texas high school football season.

25. Knox City at Newcastle — October 18 (District 6-1A DI)
Intrigue abounds in this District 6-1A DI clash, with two teams that are big on wins (21 combined wins in 2023) and short on veterans (just 12 combined starters returning). This is a Week 8 showdown, so we'll know a lot more about both of these teams by now — including whether this is actually for the district title, or if an upstart like Bryson can spoil the party. Newcastle is making the leap to Division I in this alignment, and this will be the Bobcats' first big district test. Keep an eye on Knox City RB Cameron Hernandez, who should be the tip of the Greyhounds' spear. 

24. Richmond Randle at Fort Bend Marshall — September 19 (District 9-5A DII)
Is there a changing of the guard in Houston in 5A Division II? That's the real question heading into this District 9-5A DII clash. Fort Bend Marshall has enjoyed an impressive run at or near the top of H-Town in Division II, and with 16 starters back including a bevy of stars out wide in receivers Andre Feast and Ja'Kayden Ferguson, there's reason to believe they'll stay there. But here comes the newcomer Randle, fresh off a run to the regional semifinals and boasting one of Texas' most explosive backs in Landen Williams-Callis. Get your popcorn ready.

23. Brock at Graham — November 1 (District 3-4A DII)
Welcome to Class 4A, Brock! After years of dominating 3A (a 41-9 all-time record in the playoffs since their birth in 2014), the Eagles make the leap to the bigger class. Their big heat check will come as November dawns when they travel to notoriously hostile Graham, a consistent 4A contender. This will also be one of the most under-the-radar tasty quarterback matchups in the state all year, as Brock's Brody Woods squares off with Graham's Ty Thompson.

22. Goliad at Edna — October 25 (District 15-3A DI)
There is ample reason to believe that not only with the District 15-3A DI crown be decided in this one, but the frontrunner position in all of Region IV of 3A Division I. Edna is the reigning regional champion and welcomes back some outrageous talent including athlete Braylen Harris and RB/DB Kade Rodas. But don't forget: Goliad beat the Cowboys last year in a 21-6 slugfest, and the Tigers have every reason to believe they'll do it again, with RB/DB DOnovan Perry and LB Angel Hernandez leading the charge. Huge implications for this matchup, stretching far beyond a district championship.

21. Holliday at Jacksboro — November 8 (District 6-3A DII)
There's nothing quite like a regular season finale with massive stakes, and that could be what we have in this one. Jacksboro enjoyed a breakout 13-win 2023 season — the most since 1971 — and look poised for even more with breakout receiver Cannon Valenzuela (who shined at the State 7-on-7 Tournament) headlining the attack. But now they shift over to District 6, where Holliday — district champs in each of the last four seasons — and two-tiem all-state linebacker Parker Jones awaits. Expect a sellout crowd at Tiger Stadium, and not just because it's Senior Night.

20. Fort Worth Covenant Classical at Abilene Christian — November 8 (TAPPS 6M DII District 1)
A budding rivalry in the private school six-man ranks should provide for a fun regular season finale. Covenant Classical has enjoyed a lot of success against Abilene Christian — the Cavaliers are 4-0 all-time against the Panthers — but they'll be reloading a bit this year, leaning on the few returning stars like QB Hudson Williams to lead the charge. For all their struggles against Covenant, Abilene Christian has won the war, including last year's run to the state championship game, and RB/DB Brooks Armstrong is anxious to get their first win over their new nemesis. The winner here almost certainly wins the district, and takes the pole position heading into the Division II playoffs.

19. Hawley at Stamford — November 8 (District 4-2A DI)
The latest chapter in this Jones County clash closes out the regular season, and for both teams, it sure feels like this is for all the marbles. Stamford's got a terrific one-two punch offensively with RB Kaston Vega and QB Christian Duran, while Hawley will roll out one of 2A's most talented passers in QB Keegan Ables. The winner of this contest is probably the team to beat in Region I (or, at least, will challenge Sunray). Notable: Hawley has dominated the series of late — the Bearcats have won six straight against the Bulldogs, and eight of the last nine meetings.

18. College Station at A&M Consolidated — September 20 (District 12-5A DI)
Well, this one probably doesn't require a whole lot of explanation. These two Brazos Valley rivals will tee it up in mid-September, and with respect to Pflugerville Weiss and surging Austin Anderson, it's likely to be for at least a share of the District 12-5A DI crown. Keep an eye on College Station RB Aydan Martinez-Brown and Consol LB Ethan Walton, which is a must-see matchup. College Station is undefeated all-time against their crosstown rival (6-0), but if it's anything like last year's meeting — a 49-42 thriller — we're in for a treat.

17. Bellaire Episcopal at Houston Kinkaid — October 18 (SPC 4A)
The best game in the Southwest Preparatory Conference this season is a rematch of last year's 4A state championship, which Episcopal took with a 35-25 win. Kinkaid may enter this game as the favorite, though, thanks to QB David Capobianco and an exciting group of defensive youngsters. Episcopal is working under new coach James Moynahan, who will likely lead on RB Brandon Thomas to pace the attack. These are pretty clearly the two best teams in the SPC, and this could be the first of two meetings. 

16. Galena Park North Shore at Humble Summer Creek — November 8 (District 23-6A)
How does a matchup of the two Class 6A state runners-up sound to you? Summer Creek was the surprise Division II finalist a year ago, and while there's some reloading to do, the Bulldogs figure to be right back in the mix thanks to guys like star defensive end Chad Woodfork. Can they overcome the North Shore behemoth? Quarterback Kaleb Bailey is back for his fourth and final season as a starter, and he's surrounded by big-time talent. That should make this District 23-6A finale a real treat.

15. Austin Westlake at Lake Travis — October 25 (District 26-6A)
Ah, the vaunted Battle of the Lakes. It's become the must-see game in Austin over the last two decades, and every year seems to have a different flavor. This year feels like a throwback to a classic quarterback matchup between these two signal-caller factories, with Westlake's Rees Wise taking on Lake Travis' Chaston Ditta. The atmosphere will be electric as always, and as an added bonus, with a chance that both teams could go to the Division I bracket, it could have major playoff implications.

14. Jonesboro at May — November 8 (District 14-1A DI)
Realignment brought its fair share of chaos to the six-man ranks, but District 14-1A DI was untouched, allowing us another tantalizing matchup of these two perennial powers. The Eagles and Tigers met twice last season with the same result — Jonesboro beat May in district play, and then again in the Region IV final — but there's reason to believe May can get revenge this year, especially with Ben Harrell leading a veteran Tigers squad into battle. Jonesboro's got its own stars, and they'll develop as the season goes on, which will make this season finale a six-man slugfest.

13. Cooper at Honey Grove — November 1 (District 9-2A DI)
In my opinion, this is a real Texas high school football litmus test. Does "Cooper at Honey Grove" fire you up? You're a real Texas high school football connisseur. Honey Grove is absolutely loaded with talent, from superstar athlete Ryelan Morris to linebacker Levi Beavers, but it was Cooper that cracked their code last year. The Bulldogs have a megastar of their own in receiver Adryean Mapps, which will make this one of the most talent-laden 2A games of the year. Add in the fact that it's likely for the district title, and you've got a game you'd better mark on your calendar.

12. Bremond at Mart — September 27 (District 10-2A DII)
Back on October 23, 2015, Crawford beat Mart 21-0. Why do I bring that up? It's the last time the Panthers lost a district game, and the only district loss under coach Kevin Hoffman. Mart has now won 44 consecutive district games, but this realignment-fueled contest with Bremond feels like their biggest test in quite a while. The Tigers feature two-way star RB/LB Tank Scott and a QB in Braylon Estrada who is worth your attention. Can they crack the code against QB DeMontrel Medlock and Mart? It's a district opener for both squads, and it feels like it could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

11. Falls City at Shiner — October 18 (District 15-2A DII)
When it became clear on Snapshot Day that Shiner would be dropping from Division I to Division II, all the Texas high school football nerds began trying to triangulate their alignment. This is, realistically, the best possible district contest we could've hoped for, with the Comanches taking aim at a Falls City team that's dominated Region IV over the last deade or so (six regional final berths in the last seven seasons). Falls City is loaded for another run with QB/DB Braylon Johnson leading the way; how will Shiner, which was remarkably young last season and returns 15 starters including QB/DB Carson Schuette, fare in its first big Division II test?

10. Garrison at Timpson — November 1 (District 10-2A DI)
The Timpson Bears went 16-0 en route to their first-ever state championship in 2023, but do you remember what 2A team played them the closest during that span? That's right: the Garrison Bulldogs, who played the eventual champs within nine points in the regular season and within 11 points in the regional final. They'll go at it again in this early November clash, and by then we should have a firm grasp on what Timpson looks like post-Terry Bussey (specifically, a lot of JJ Garner and Colton Carroll). Garrison is raring to get another crack at the Bears, with their defense anchored by DB Antonio Yarbrough leading the way while the young offense develops over the first eight games. 

9. Galena Park North Shore at Humble Atascocita — October 25 (District 23-6A)
District 23-6A is the only district to feature two games on this list, but it's hard to keep this matchup out of the Top 10, let alone the Top 25. Atascocita has played second fiddle to North Shore during the Mustangs' ascendency to the state's very top, and we know that sticks in the Eagles' craw. With 14 starters back from last year's regional finalist (where, of course, they met North Shore) including running back Tory Blaylock and cornerback Brandon Washington, coach Craig Stump believes this could be the year. They'll get their crack at their nemesis at Turner Stadium in Week 9, where the Mustangs' defense anchored by linebacker Charles Ross will be waiting. Why is this the biggest game in this district? Simple: with North Shore and Atascocita both headed for the Division I bracket, this has major playoff ramifications.

8. Brownwood at Stephenville — November 1 (District 4-4A DI)
Quite simply one of the finest rivalries in Texas high school football, there's enough juice between Brownwood and Stephenville that it doesn't need district implications to be must-see. But when you add in the fact that it's likely for the District 4-4A DI title, well, it's too good to pass up. Stephenville starters the year No. 1 in Dave Campbell's Texas Football, and for good reason: quarterback Ryan Gafford and defensive lineman Kolton Dearth represent two of the 13 starters returning from last year's regional finalist. But Brownwood would love nothing more than to bloody the nose of its archrival, and receiver Carson Noe and running back Trey Mosley are good enough to do it. Stephenville has won four straight in this series, but Brownwood leads the overall series by 15 victories; what will the 79th installment bring, besides a district championship?

7. Celina at Frisco Panther Creek — September 27 (District 7-4A DI)
It's safe to say that November 2, 2023 is the biggest day in Frisco Panther Creek football history. Of course, the Panthers have only been a UIL member since 2022, but last November was when they stunned Celina 31-27 in the regular season finale, snatching not just their first district championship but the most meaningful win in program history. Now we get the rematch in late September, and Celina's itching for a chance to settle the score. The Bobcats' defense figures to be sound with LB Luke Biagini leading the way, and coach Bill Elliott will lean on running backs Harrison Williams and Logan Gutierrez to plow the road offensively. But Panther Creek proved it belongs with the big boys last year, and a bevy of weapons like receiver Cristian Trickett and athlete Seth Jackson are out to show they're no flash in the pan. District 7-4A DI is treacherous with Lake Dallas, Aubrey and Sulphur Springs all vying for playoff spots, but this early-season tilt will set the tone for the remainder of the year.

6. Kilgore at Tyler Chapel Hill — October 11 (District 9-4A DI)
Out in East Texas, it's hard to tell part of the Kilgore-Chapel Hill story without telling the whole thing. Here's the shortest version possible: for ten years, Kilgore absolutely smashed Chapel Hill, winning 12 meetings in a row, capped by a 21-point drubbing in district play in October 2021. But that's when something changed: Chapel Hill, fueled by a sensational freshman class, stunned Kilgore in a rematch in the 2021 regional semifinals, and since then, it's been Chapel Hill on the front foot, winning four of the last five meetings (including knocking Kilgore out of the playoffs in three consecutive seasons). So, yeah, October 11 is a big game. Kilgore's got one of 4A's best playmakers in Jayden Sanders; Chapel Hill's history-making freshman class from 2021 is now seniors, led by QB Demetrius Brisbon and RB Rickey Stewart. The storylines write themselves.

5. Columbus at Hitchcock — October 25 (District 12-3A DI)
The 3A game of the year? Sure seems like it, at least where we sit in the preseason. Last year, Columbus and Hitchcock came into their matchup ranked at Nos. 2 and 4, respectively; this year, they'll start the season ranked Nos. 2 and 4, respectively. And without knowing the weather forecast, we can predict that the stars will be out in Galveston County on the night of October 25 — whether it's Columbus quarterback Adam Schoebel or Hitchcock receiver Kelshaun Johnson or Columbus linebacker John Schoebel or Hitchcock quarterback Lloyd Jones III, these two teams are absolutely loaded for bear with outrageous talent. Winner likely wins District 12-3A DI and, more importantly, becomes the biggest challenger to Franklin in Region III. Get your tickets as soon as they go on sale.

4. Pasadena First Baptist at Houston Emery-Weiner — November 9 (TAPPS 6M DI District 4)
Does this one surprise you? It's not a shock to those who dive into private six-man football, as this is a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 2 in DCTF's preseason state rankings. Emery-Weiner is the ruler of the roost in TAPPS 6M Division I, fresh off its fourth state title in the last nine seasons, and all-state spreadback Bennett Grossman plans to keep the Jaguars there. But what's this? A new challenger approaches! First Baptist returns to Division I after two very successful years in Division II (state finalist in 2022, state semifinalist in 2023) and the Warriors have some absolute dudes like two-way star TE/LB Konner Crawford. Fun fact: last time First Baptist played in Division I — when these seniors were freshmen — they were eliminated by Emery-Weiner. This is a regular season finale that's not just for the district title, but also a likely first of two meetings.

3. Denton Ryan at Aledo — October 4 (District 3-5A DI)
This was supposed to be the one the last two seasons. This was supposed to be the game, in both 2022 and 2023, in which Ryan snapped Aledo's state-record district winning streak. And, to be fair to Ryan, they've come a lot closer than most of the Bearcats' 119 consecutive-and-counting victims — a 35-21 game in 2022, and a 25-19 naibiter last season. But is this the one, for real this time? Ryan's got the personnel, there's no doubt, with guys like Braeden Mussett and Errol West back in the fold. And Aledo does have a fair number of questions, though running back Raycine Guillory and receiver Kaydon Finley didn't go anywhere. It's No. 1 vs. No. 2 in District 3-5A Division I, but even more than that, it's a game that could send shockwaves across Texas. All Ryan has to do is what nobody's done since 2007.

2. Dallas Parish Episcopal at Argyle Liberty Christian — October 18 (TAPPS DI District 1)
Where do you even start with this mid-October clash? It's No. 1 (Liberty) vs. No. 2 (Parish) in DCTF's private school rankings; it's a matchup of reigning state champions (Liberty won the TAPPS DII state title last year, while Parish took home the TAPPS DI crown); it's a fascinating quarterback matchup (Purdue commit Sawyer Anderson for Parish, receiver-turned-signal caller Brady Janusek for Liberty); there's big-time bloodIines on display (Parish receiver Jaylen Pile is the son of former NFLer Willie Pile, Liberty linebacker CJ Witten is the son of head coach Jason Witten); and that's not even to get into the buckets and buckets of talent littering these rosters. This is, without a doubt, the biggest private school game in Texas high school football in 2024. And oh, it's for a district title.

1. Duncanville at DeSoto — October 11 (District 11-6A)
When UIL realignment rolled around in February, all eyes were on DeSoto, the two-time defending 6A Division II state champions. The Eagles, after all, have an enrollment number that would put them comfortably in Class 5A Division I, and the administration was keeping mum on whether the school would opt up to Class 6A or drop to 5A. We know now, of course, that the Eagles remained in 6A to defend their back-to-back titles, and they were thrust right back into the so-called District of Doom, where a meeting with the other back-to-back defending 6A state champion Duncanville Panthers awaits. The hype for this game will be outrageous as always, and the prospect hounds and high school football junkies alike will be out in full force to watch standouts like Keelon Russell and Tiger Riden and Daylon Singleton and Dakorien Moore and Keylan Abrams and Boobie Feaster. It goes on and on. But the thing that intrigues me the most about this year's contest: how much did DeSoto's victory last season change the rivalry? Remember: Duncanville had dominated the series recently, winning five straight including (remarkably) three victories over DeSoto in the 2021 calendar year. But the script was decidedly flipped last year when the Eagles offer a 49-35 receipt to the Panthers. It's No. 1 vs. No. 2 once again at the highest classification, and it's the biggest district game in Texas high school football in 2024.