The best Thursday night action of opening week

[caption id="attachment_24194" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Chris McGathey Mesquite Horn QB Chris Robison (Photo by Chris McGathey)[/caption] Football is back. Breathe it in, kiss your loved ones goodbye for the next six months and enjoy the drama. Texas high school football starts Thursday with a solid night of action before the main course of pigskin is served up Friday night across the state. Gilmer vs. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau is the obvious main draw on the night (you don't need my recommendation to go see it, it sells itself), but here are five other intriguing options around the state. Spring Westfield at Houston Lamar Houston wastes little time heating up with a fun matchup Thursday night. Westfield is coming off a 10-2 season ended by eventual state finalist Lake Travis. Lamar is once again favored to win district under long-time head coach Tom Nolen. The running backs will be worth the price of admission. Westfield is led by Daniel Young, while Lamar leans on Taz’hawn Henry. Lamar quarterback Owen Holt might give the Texans an advantage at home. McKinney Boyd at Mesquite Horn Two teams hoping to reach the playoffs in 2016 kickoff the season at legendary Mesquite Memorial Stadium. Boyd went .500 in the regular season and in district play in 2015, but missed out on the playoffs. The Broncos must rely on an experienced offensive line while a relatively young team builds chemistry and confidence early in the season. A road victory against a quality opponent like Horn would speed along that process for head coach Don Drake. Horn reached the bi-district round of the playoffs in 2015, finishing 6-4 in the regular season. Quarterback Chris Robison, an Oklahoma commit, should get you out of the house. El Paso Del Valle at El Paso Americas A showdown between two future playoff teams kicks off the Texas high school football season. At 4 p.m., these two squads start the march towards the playoffs. Americas, a Class 6A program in Region I, relies heavily on running back Joshua Fields. He racked up 1,658 yards in 2015. Del Valle from Class 5A is anchored by linebacker Gus Yanez. Enrollment size and a stiff defense make Americas the favorite entering the game. Hughes Springs at Daingerfield If you’re craving smaller schools Thursday, East Texas has you covered. Daingerfield and Hughes Springs reached the Class 3A playoffs in 2015. Daingerfield is under new leadership in 2016, as Mike Waldie takes over a program known for speed and athleticism. Hughes Springs returns eight starters and quarterback Alex Bruce. Northside Clark at San Antonio Churchill Sure, Clark and Churchill likely won’t compete for a Region IV title in Class 6A, but are you missing a chance to watch something called the Gucci Bowl in San Antonio? I’m not.

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