High School Football Practices Begin Across Texas Today

SAN ANGELO, TX — The road to the high school football state championships in December begin today in the hot August sun.

Across Texas, football teams have officially begun their preparation for the 2026 season with their opening workouts.

The first Monday in August has long signaled the start of football practices, though Class 6A and 5A schools that held spring practices have to wait another week.

San Angelo Central is the only school in our coverage area that didn’t start Monday, Aug. 3.

For everyone else, workouts begin today, though the first day of contact isn’t allowed is Aug. 8.

Scrimmages can begin Aug. 13.

The opening Friday night of the season is Aug. 28, though teams can play a day earlier, and there are a couple Thursday matchups involving Concho Valley teams — including Robert Lee at Jayton, Bronte at Menard, and Rankin at Rocksprings.

The Lake View Chiefs, coming off their winningest season in 29 years, will kick off their season on the road at Fort Stockton. Their home opener will be Sept. 4 against Snyder at San Angelo Stadium.

TLCA San Angelo will open its season Sept. 28 at Tahoka, while the Central Bobcats will begin their season at home against Abilene High.

Outside the city limits, the defending state champion Wall Hawks will open their title defense at home against Canyon West Plains. Wall is ranked No. 6 in Class 3A Division I, while West Plains is No. 10 in 4A D-I.

Another state-ranked school in Tom Green County, Water Valley (No. 14 in 1A D-I), will open on the road at Garden City. The Wildcats are coming off back-to-back state semifinal appearances.

Other county schools' opening games include Grape Creek at home against Coleman, Christoval at home against Eldorado, and Veribest traveling to Santa Anna.

State-ranked teams in our area include Mason (No. 5 in 2A D-I), Ozona (No. 16 in 2A D-I), Junction (No. 11 in 2A D-II), Menard (No 13 in 1A D-I), Sterling City (No. 23 in 1A D-I) and Richland Springs (No. 4 in 1A D-II).