The 2026 TSSAA football season has arrived. The Memphis area enters the fall with a different look than it had a year ago. The offseason brought a wave of movement across the city, from a historic amount of transfers, including six of the top 10 Memphis-area quarterbacks changing schools, to major coaching changes like former Ridgeway head coach Duron Sutton taking over at Germantown
following Gene Robinson’s departure.Those moves have reshaped the local football landscape, creating new storylines, renewed rivalries and several matchups that could carry even more weight than they did a season ago. Fans are in for another exciting season in Memphis.
Here are the games in Memphis entering Week 1, including games that begin, Thursday, Aug. 20.
Game of the week
Germantown at Houston
Time:
7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
The Germantown-Houston matchup carries a history of intensity. The two programs played twice last year with Germantown dominating the 2025 season opener (44-23). But Houston added a chapter last year by defeating Germantown 33-22 in the playoffs. Houston returns most of its starters from a young team that reached the second round, including All-Region offensive lineman Cameron Chambliss. Add in the offseason storyline of Kobe Butler Simmons moving from Houston to Germantown, and this rivalry has plenty of heat heading into 2026.
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Top TSSAA football games in Memphis area
ECS at Briarcrest
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 20
ECS will once again open up their season with a tough matchup against the Eagles, but this time on the road. Briarcrest returns three-star transfer QB Cayden Dixon. The Eagles will have a chance to make a statement after going 3-7 last season, and there's no better chance to do so on Aug. 20 when the city's eyes won't be in many other places with only eight other games that night.
Memphis Business Academy at Munford
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 20
The Execs will surely look to cover up last seasons 62-20 blowout loss against the Cougars in a game that could jumpstart their season on a high note. On the other hand, Munford will look to reassert their dominance as they're coming off a 10-2 season that ultimately ended in the Class 5A second-round playoff loss to Beech.
Whitehaven at Ensworth
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
Whitehaven will travel to Nashville with a chip on its shoulder after last year's 31-6 loss to Ensworth. Whitehaven transfer, and Maryland commit Shelvy Clark, will look to prove Whitehaven's defense is revitalized against a top private school team in the state that features running back EJ Gibson who ran for more tha, 1,400 yards and 20 touchdowns last year.
Lausanne at Southwind
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
Last season, Southwind fans witnessed two-time Mr. Football winner and now Austin Peay QB Kelvin Perkins lead the Jaguars to a 42-10 win against the Lynx to start to 2025 season. Southwind will boast another high profile lineup like Antonio Keefer and three-star RB Khamoni Williams. They will also be debuting a new QB with Malcom Jack taking the helm. Lausanne will counter with as four-star Missouri commit Lawrence Britt.
East Nashville at Collierville
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
If there's any game that will have a measuring stick tied to it, it possibly will be at Dragon Stadium when East Nashville comes to town. Collierville won this matchup last season 28-14, but both teams found themselves deep in the playoffs in their respective classifications, both losing in the quarterfinal. Tae Walden will look to keep his momentum going in his final season.
Westview at MASE
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
The Phoenix were in for a rude awakening in Week 1 last season when they made the trip to Martin to face the Chargers, ultimately losing 34-0 in a game where four-star Westview QB Graham Simpson threw for 204 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a win. Westview would go on to claim the Class 3A state title. MASE and four star DL Jamarkus Pittman will look to establish itself as a state title contender in 2A.
Bartlett at MUS
Time: 7 p.m. | When: Aug. 21
Both the Panthers and the Owls will look to put the 2025 season behind them. Bartlett went 4-7 and suffered a 6A first-round playoff loss to Whitehaven while Montgomery Bell Academy dominated MUS in the DII-AAA playoffs. The Owls went home with a 23-18 victory over the Panthers in 2025. Four-star receiver Pierce Washington will be entering his senior season at Bartlett as the leader of his team.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Germantown vs Houston tops Week 1's best TSSAA football games in Memphis area
