The 2026 high school football season kicks off on Aug. 27 in the Lone Star State.
The Texas Panhandle begins the upcoming campaign with a handful of exciting non-district matchups, including a few teams squaring off against opponents from nearby states.
In total, Amarillo-area teams will play 17 games against out-of-state opponents during the 2026 season. Multiple Texas Panhandle schools will travel to New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas, while teams from the aforementioned states will also make the trek to the Amarillo area.
Here’s a look at how the Texas Panhandle’s out-of-state opponents performed in 2025.
Roswell (N.M.)
Roswell went 9-4 in 2025, including a 6-1 mark in NMAA District 2-5A. The Coyotes lost to district rival Artesia by one point in the Class 5A state title game.
Roswell will take on Randall at Happy State Bank Stadium on Aug. 28.
Las Cruces (N.M.)
Las Cruces went 12-1 in 2025, including a 6-0 record in NMAA District 3-6A that led to the Bulldawgs claiming a district title. The team’s only loss came in the Class 6A state title game at the hands of Cleveland.
Las Cruces heads to Dumas for a showdown with the Demons on Aug. 28.
Hooker (Okla.)
Hooker went 9-3 in 2025, including a 6-1 mark in OSSAA District 1 Class A Division I, before losing in the second round of the OSSAA playoffs.
The Bulldogs will play at Gruver on Aug. 28 and will head to Spearman on Sept. 11.
Dora (N.M.)
Dora went 0-9 in 2025, including an 0-6 mark in NMAA 6-man District 1, before losing in the first round of the NMAA playoffs.
The Coyotes will welcome Silverton to town on Aug. 28.
Cleveland (N.M.)
Located in Rio Rancho, N.M., Cleveland went 12-1 in 2025, including a 5-0 record in NMAA District 1-6A en route to a district title. The Storm went on to win a NMAA Class 6A state championship, taking down Las Cruces to avenge the team’s only loss of the season.
Cleveland meets Amarillo High at Dick Bivins Stadium on Sept. 4.
Hugoton (Kan.)
Hugoton went 8-2 in 2025, including a 5-1 mark in the Great West district, before losing in the second round of the KSHSAA Class 3A playoffs.
The Eagles welcome Perryton to town on Sept. 4 and will travel to Stratford on Sept. 11.
Texico (N.M.)
Texico went 9-3 in 2025, including a 4-0 record in NMAA District 3-2A en route to a district title. The Wolverines went on to win the NMAA Class 2A state championship with a 42-7 victory against Eunice.
Farwell travels to Texico on Sept. 4, while Stratford makes the trip on Sept. 25.
Elk City (Okla.)
Elk City went 5-6 in 2025, including a 4-3 mark in OSSAA District 1-4A, before losing in the first round of the OSSAA Class 4A playoffs.
The Elks head to Childress on Sept. 11.
Guymon (OK)
Guymon went 5-5 in OSSAA Class 5A last season, and will meet four opponents from the Texas Panhandle in 2026.
The Tigers head to Stinnett for a matchup against West Texas on Sept. 11, before welcoming Sunray to town on Sept. 18, Perryton on Sept. 25 and Spearman on Oct. 2.
Logan (N.M.)
Logan went 11-1 in 2025, including a 5-1 record in NMAA 6-man District 1. The Longhorns went on to win a NMAA Class 6-man state title, taking down Grady to avenge Cleveland’s only loss of the season.
Logan welcomes McLean to town on Sept. 11.
Liberal (Kan.)
Liberal went 7-3 in 2025, including a 2-2 mark in the Western district, before losing in the second round of the KSHSAA Class 5A playoffs.
The team heads to Dalhart on Sept. 18.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Analyzing the Texas Panhandle’s 2026 out-of-state football opponents
Reporting by Randall Sweet, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Randall Sweet, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
