The 2026 New York high school football season is drawing closer, and a handful of must-see regular season matchups are on the docket.
In no particular order, here are 25 can’t miss high school football games in the Empire State this season:
Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse vs. Iona Prep (September 3)
It is the ultimate test for state juggernauts as they kick off their 2026 campaigns at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.
CBA is the reigning Class AA state champion, with four state crowns in the previous five seasons. The Gaels have secured New York Catholic High School Football League (NYCHSFL) and New York State AAA titles two years in a row.
Chenango Forks at Owego (September 4)
The Blue Devils and the River Hawks are set to square off in a battle of reigning Section IV champions. Last season, Chenango Forks beat Owego, 7-6.
Chenango Forks (12-1 in 2025) reached the Class C state championship game, and Owego made it to the Class B state semifinals last year.
St. Francis at Bennett (September 4)
The Red Raiders and the Tigers face off in an early season battle in Buffalo.
St. Francis was 10-2 and captured their 28th Monsignor Martin High School Athletic Association (MMHSAA) title in program history last year. Bennett compiled a 10-2 record as well that included a Section VI Class AA crown and an appearance in the New York State semifinals.
Wantagh at Plainedge (September 10)
The Warriors went 8-4 in 2025 and reached the Long Island Class III title game, but lost 42-35 to Sayville. The Red Devils compiled a 10-1 record last year, however, dropped a 21-7 decision to Seaford in the Nassau County Division IV championship game.
Saratoga at Christian Brothers Academy-Albany (September 11)
After CBA Albany reached the Class AA state championship game in 2024, the team was poised for another deep postseason run in 2025.
The Brothers were the top seed in the Section II Class AA playoffs. Facing second-seeded Saratoga in the sectional final, the Blue Streaks shocked CBA with a 14-13 victory.
Tioga at Chenango Forks (September 11)
The matchup pits the 5-time state champion Tigers against the Blue Devils, a program that has secured seven state titles in program history.
Tioga begins a new era with brand-new coach Jake Howland, who replaces longtime coach Nick Aiello after 15 seasons. Chenango Forks heads into the 2026 season after the team finished as the Class C state runner-up last year.
St. Francis at Christian Brothers Academy-Syracuse (September 11)
The Red Raiders head to Syracuse to face the Brothers, as the top-10 state matchup pits reigning MMHSAA champion St. Francis versus defending Class AA champ CBA.
Christian Brothers Academy at Catholic Memorial (Mass.) (September 18)
The Brothers head to Massachusetts to face the out-of-state power Knights. Catholic Memorial went 10-2 and captured the MIAA Division II title last season.
Both the Brothers and the Knights have secured four state titles in the previous five seasons.
Jamestown at Bennett (September 18)
The Red Raiders (7-4 in 2025) will face the Tigers on the road in a Section VI Class AA championship grudge match. Bennett beat Jamestown, 32-14, in last year’s title game.
Owego at Waverly (September 18)
The River Hawks (9-4 in 2025) go up against the Wolverines (9-2 in 2025) after Owego beat Waverly, 27-7, in last year’s Section IV Class B final. Both of Waverly’s losses last season were against Owego.
Monsignor Farrell at Chaminade (September 19)
The Lions and the Flyers previously faced each other in the NYCHSFL semifinals last season. Monsignor Farrell beat Chaminade, 34-3, in that game.
Honeoye Falls-Lima at Monroe (September 25)
The Red Jackets (12-0 in 2025), fresh off a 2025 season that resulted in the team capturing their first-ever state crown, is set for a Section IV Class A championship game rematch against the Cougars.
HF-L, who lost to Monroe twice last season, fell 40-0 to the Red Jackets in the sectional title game.
Monsignor Farrell at Iona Prep (September 25)
The Lions and the Gaels will meet in a rematch of last season’s New York State Catholic High School AAA championship game. Monsignor Farrell beat Iona Prep 28-21 in the regular season, but the Gaels got the best of the Lions in the state championship.
Monsignor Farrell finished the 2025 season with a 9-2 record.
Massapequa vs. Garden City (September 26)
The Chiefs were initially slated to host Garden City in a clash of reigning Long Island champions, but a matchup of this magnitude led to the game being moved to Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium.
Garden City has captured five consecutive Long Island crowns and currently on a state record 66-game win streak. Massapequa grabbed its third straight Long Island title last season.
New Hartford at Indian River (October 2)
The Wolves (6-4 in 2025) will host the Spartans (11-1 in 2025) in a rematch of last season’s Section III Class B semifinals, a game that New Hartford won 37-34. The victory came after the Spartans won 50-48 over the Wolves in the regular season.
Indian River previously beat New Hartford in back-to-back Section III championships games in 2023 and 2024.
Rye at Somers (October 2)
Section I teams have secured the Class AA state crown the previous four seasons. The Tuskers grabbed the first three crowns from 2022 to 2024, while the Garnets are the reigning Class AA champions.
The October 2 contest is a rematch of last season’s Section I Class A title game, a game that the Garnets won 40-17. Somers will look to redeem itself, and Rye is determined to continue its recent run.
St. Anthony’s at Iona Prep (October 3)
The Friars are considered a top team going into the 2026 season, and they have something to prove following a 7-5 finish last year. St. Anthony’s will have a challenge against Iona Prep after losing to the Gaels twice last season.
St. Francis at Canisius (October 3)
A rematch of last year’s MMHSAA championship game, the Crusaders had the Red Raiders on their heels. St. Francis, however, came away with a 41-34 victory to secure the title.
Canisius finished the 2025 season with a 6-5 record, but the team will look to turn things around this year.
Ward Melville at William Floyd (October 3)
The Patriots and the Colonials go toe-to-toe in a rematch of last year’s Suffolk County Division I championship game. After William Floyd won the regular season contest by a 28-21 score, Ward Melville redeemed itself with a thrilling 31-28 in the title game.
The Colonials (10-1 in 2025) and the Patriots (10-2 in 2025) were the Long Island Class I finalists the previous two seasons.
Bronxville at Tuckahoe (October 10)
The Broncos and the Tigers will meet in a matchup of teams that reached the 2025 Class C and D championship games. Undefeated Bronxville captured its second state title in program history last season, while Tuckahoe fell to Tioga in the Class D title game.
Last year, the Broncos beat the Tigers, 48-21, in the regular season.
Union-Endicott at Maine-Endwell (October 16)
The Section IV crosstown rivals will meet as each bring in potentially deep playoff runs. The Tigers went 9-3 and reached the Class A state semifinals last season.
The Spartans compiled a 5-4 record in 2025, but lost to Owego in the Section IV Class B semifinal round. Maine-Endwell, however, is considered a top-15 team in the state this year.
Erasmus Hall at Tottenville (October 16)
The Dutchmen (10-2 in 2025) and the Pirates (12-1 in 2025) will square off again in a rematch of last season’s PSAL 4A championship. Erasmus Hall squeezed out a 34-27 win in stunning fashion over top seeded and undefeated Tottenville.
Erasmus Hall also redeemed itself in the title game after Tottenville beat the Dutchmen, 38-35, in the regular season.
Bayport-Blue Point at Sayville (October 16)
It’s another matchup of reigning Long Island football champions. The Golden Flashes are the returning Class III champions, while the Phantoms are the defending Class IV champs.
BBP (10-1 in 2025) has captured three Long Island titles in the previous four seasons, and Sayville secured its eighth crown last season.
Saratoga at Shenendehowa (October 23)
Shenendehowa had the makings of a deep postseason run last season as it went into the Section II Class AA semifinals as the favorite.
Despite Shen (8-2) beating the Blue Streaks in the regular season, Saratoga Springs (11-3) stunned Shen, went on to capture the sectional crown and proceeded to reach the Class AA state championship game.
Curtis at Erasmus Hall (October 31)
The Warriors, who went 9-3 last season, head into this matchup with a chip on their shoulders. The Dutchmen beat them twice last year, including in the PSAL 4A semifinal round by a 42-27 score.
Add us as a preferred source on Google
