10 high school football games to watch in Southern Nevada this season

The new high school football season is less than three weeks away. Games for a new-look season begin Aug. 14.

Thirty Clark County School District football programs in the 5A and 4A classifications have moved to independent status and will not play for a state championship. But teams have been grouped based on geography and competitive balance, which is restoring old neighborhood rivalries and should make for closer games.

The remaining 5A and 4A teams are made up of private and charter schools, such as Bishop Gorman, and will play one another to fill the voids by the CCSD schools.

Even with all the changes, there are still plenty of high-profile games across the city this year. Here is a look at 10 must-see regular-season games in Southern Nevada this season. All game times are at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

St. John Bosco (California) at Bishop Gorman, Aug. 21

Perhaps the biggest game of the season will be in late August at Fertitta Field when Bishop Gorman hosts St. John Bosco. Gorman is ranked No. 2 by MaxPreps and St. John Bosco is No. 1. A win would put Gorman in prime position to win a fifth mythical national title. The Gaels are 2-0 all-time against St. John Bosco.

Basic at Foothill, Aug. 21, 6 p.m.

One of the bigger local rivalry games will happen early in the season, with Foothill hosting Henderson rival Basic in the “Battle for Boulder Highway.” The two schools are on opposite sides of Boulder Highway deep in the heart of Henderson. Foothill rolled past Basic 68-27 last year after Basic had won the previous matchups in 2023 and 2024. The passion and pride from both Henderson schools come out whenever they face off. The Falcons are looking to be a contender in the top grouping of CCSD schools, while Basic is seeking to build with a core of returning players in its group.

Green Valley at Basic, Sept. 4

There aren’t as many rivalry games that are as iconic with closely contested games like the “Henderson Bowl” between Green Valley and Basic. Green Valley was the second high school in Henderson to open in 1992, after Basic, which had opened in 1942, was the only high school in the town. Green Valley has won the last two meetings with Basic, a 42-40 thriller in 2025 and 25-24 in 2024. The Gators are expected to be contenders in their group with several key returners back under first-year head coach Brandon Harton.

Centennial at Arbor View, Sept. 10

Centennial and Arbor View restored their northwest rivalry last year and will continue it again this year with both teams being in the same grouping with the CCSD independent schools. Arbor View has been the top local public school the last two seasons, losing to Bishop Gorman in the state title game in the top classification each of those years. The Aggies return most of their stars on offense. The Bulldogs reached the 5A Southern Region title game last year and bring back most of their team in 2026. Centennial won back-to-back state titles in 2023 (4A) and 2024 (5A Division III).

Mater East at Sloan Canyon, Sept. 17

The next great rivalry in Nevada high school football? It might be the two rising charter schools in 4A, led by former UNLV players. Sloan Canyon reached the 4A state title game last year and went 12-1 in the program’s third year of existence with former UNLV offensive lineman Nate Oishi as the head coach and many of his former Rebel teammates on staff. Desert Pines High graduate and former UNLV defensive back Tim Hough is building the program at Mater East. The Knights looked primed to battle Sloan Canyon for the top spot in 4A. Sloan Canyon beat Mater East 50-22 in last year’s 4A Southern Region semifinals.

Foothill at Liberty, Sept. 18

Liberty is expected to be right with Arbor View and Centennial in the preseason among the top CCSD teams, but Foothill showed last year that it might have a case to be there with the top teams. In last year’s regular-season meeting between the two teams, Liberty won a 50-30 shootout. The Patriots went on to win the 5A Lake League title, and both teams qualified for the Open Division state tournament. Liberty and Foothill are in the same group of the CCSD independent teams. Both teams return a lot of their top players from last year.

Shadow Ridge at Centennial, Oct. 9

Two of the most thrilling games came between Shadow Ridge and Centennial. First, the Mustangs outlasted Centennial 18-12 in the regular season. Then, the Bulldogs, after a wild week off the field where the NIAA made multiple adjustments to the playoff brackets due to HRM errors, upset top-seeded Shadow Ridge 43-27 in the opening round of the 5A Southern Region playoffs. Shadow Ridge is under the guidance of first-year head coach Ethan Lewis, and the Mustangs return a core of players from their team last year.

Chaparral at Eldorado, Oct. 9

The “Cleat Game” is one of the longest-running rivalries in Southern Nevada, with one of the most iconic rivalry game trophies. Chaparral and Eldorado play for a bronzed cleat donated by Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen. Eldorado won the Cleat Game 28-18 last year and Chaparral won the 2024 meeting 12-7.

Losee at Faith Lutheran, Oct. 16

In the new-look 5A, Bishop Gorman is the overwhelming favorite to get the No. 1 seed in the Open Division state tournament, but the battle for who will be the No. 2 seed is much more interesting. Faith Lutheran and Losee are the two other remaining 5A teams eligible for a state championship. The team that finishes second in the 5A standings will play Gorman in an Open Division state semifinal. The winner of that semifinal goes to the Open Division state title game to play the third-place team and the loser goes to the 5A title game to play the Northern champion. Faith Lutheran has played in a state title game the last three seasons and has a handful of returners from the 2025 team. Losee is under new coach Spike Rossi, who previously served as an assistant at Mojave and helped the Rattlers win the 2024 4A title.

Moapa Valley at Virgin Valley, Oct. 23

The best rivalry game in the state is arguably between the two 3A powers in the “Hammer Game.” The two teams played an 18-17 thriller last year when Virgin Valley went on the road to Overton to knock off Moapa Valley. Both teams return most of their starters from last year, which will make them state title contenders in 3A and the 2026 edition of the Hammer Game just as exciting. And a possible rematch for the 3A title in Allegiant Stadium could be even more thrilling.