Predicting the Biggest Week 1 Games in Texas: 4A-3A-2A
Canyon West Plains at Wall: It’s a juicy matchup in the Concho Valley as two elite programs from different parts of West Texas collide. Both West Plains and Wall enter 2026 with plenty of questions after graduating historically good senior classes. For West Plains, it’s a long trip from Amarillo down to Wall (327 miles one way to be exact) and they are breaking in a new QB after four-year starter Reid Macon graduated. RB Slade Russell will be the star of the show after rushing for just over 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago; he’ll operate behind an offensive line that returns one starter. The strength of the Wolves defense will be at linebacker where they do have a good amount of returning experience. After winning the 3A-Division II state title a year ago, Wall makes the move up to Division I this year. They’ll have to do so after graduating a decorated senior class that was 29-2 the last two seasons. The Hawks do have a pair of dangerous playmakers on the outside in WR’s Jager Thompson and Evan Boehle, but finding a new signal-caller will be priority No. 1. Additionally, the Hawks must replace eight starters on defense. This game is a hard one to read because of all the new faces on both sides of the ball. Despite the long trip, West Plains is still a much larger school than Wall and that depth across the board gives the Wolves the nod. Stepp’s Pick: Canyon West Plains by 10