What to watch in week 1 of Texas high school football: ‘Boot Bowl,’ Aledo’s dynasty, more

It’s time to kickoff the Texas high school football season.

Week one has a bunch of interesting matchups, and several questions will be answered. Here are three games to watch.

Will Aledo set the tone for a championship season?

Every year the Aledo Bearcats should start as a state championship favorite. They’ve earned that right, considering the UIL record 12 state titles .

On Friday, they’ll play Denton Guyer at the Collins Complex in Denton. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT

It’s incredibly challenging to start a Texas football dynasty , and it’s even more challenging to keep one intact. Head coach Robby Jones, however, has been with Aledo long enough to maintain the Bearcats’ standard of excellence.

With all sports, however, it comes down to talent. Here is the question: Does Aledo have enough of it to win another state title?

Week one will showcase the new era of Aledo football with junior quarterback Gavin Beard, a team captain, taking over for Hauss Hejny, who graduated and now plays for TCU.

Of course, the Bearcats have a proven star in running back Raycine Guillory Jr., the Star-Telegram’s Preseason Offensive Player of the year . Aledo also has many rising players that can turn into superstars as well as loads of depth.

District play won’t be a cakewalk for Aledo this year. Denton Ryan has one of the best offensive lines in the state, and Richland’s offense is packed with division one talent.

The big questions: Does Aledo have the star power Hejny and linebacker Davhon Keys provided last year? Can they rely on depth and rising talent? We’ll get our first look at Aledo in regular season action on Friday.

Will Burleson Centennial win the “Boot Bowl” again?

Burleson Centennial got the best of Burleson 35-6 in last year’s “Boot Bowl” , and the Spartans will be looking to go back-to-back. The Elks, however, have a chance for revenge and a home field advantage.

Centennial and Burleson will face off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Elk Stadium.

The Elks are coming off a losing season and have a new head coach: Phillip Tanner, a former Dallas Cowboy. Centennial is coming off a decent season and will see new squads in District 7-5A D1.

The two Burleson ISD schools will kickoff the season in an electric environment, playing one of Texas football’s best rivalry games.

What’s in store for the next generation of Dragon football?

Southlake Carroll football is a force to be reckoned with every season and is the clear District 4-6A favorite. The Dragons will face the Midland Bulldogs at 7 p.m. Friday night at Dragon Stadium.

Carroll should handle business against Midland, a team that lost 35-7 to Byron Nelson in the playoffs last year.

In this game, fans will get to see Angelo Renda officially take over at quarterback. Also, they’ll see how effective the Carroll defense can be.

It’s only week one, but it’ll be a good look at Carroll’s state championship potential. Last season, the Dragons were the only team that got remotely close to dethroning DeSoto in Class 6A D1.

More games to watch

Austin Lake Travis vs. Arlington Martin, 7 p.m. Friday, Choctaw Stadium

Lancaster vs. North Crowley, 2 p.m. Saturday, Ford Center at The Star