Maryland/DC High School Football: Best August Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 season in the Maryland-DC corridor begins with fireworks. From St. Frances traveling to Florida to local heavyweights settling early scores, these games will shape the narrative from day one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: St. Frances Academy vs. DeLand</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Frances Academy went 9-1 last year and won the Overtime National Championship game. Their only blemish was 21-14 away loss to St. John Bosco in California. Obviously, not a bad loss, as SJB is one of the top programs in the nation. This year, they'll open the season with DeLand High School in Florida (13-1 last season). St. Frances Academy didn't reload, but they've certainly added to their stockpile during the offseason. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: Archbishop Spalding vs. DeMatha Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is EASSSSSSSILY the top in-state matchup of the opening week of football in Maryland. Archbishop Spalding has dominated MIAA's A Division of the past few years, and DeMatha has won the last two WCAC Capital Conference championships. DeMatha and Archbishop Spalding last played during the 2024 season, and Archbishop Spalding won 26-10. This isn't a division game for either team, but the bragging rights that go to the winner make it a statement game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: Wise vs. Patuxent</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams reached the championship game in their respective classes. Wise lost (4A), and Patuxent (1A) won. This will be a strong test for Patuxent, two-time Class 1A state champions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: Gonzaga vs. Calvert Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another nice MIAA (A) vs. WCAC Capital Conference matchup (see Archbishop Spalding vs. DeMatha Catholic above). Gonzaga made it to the WCAC Capital Conference championship game and Calvert Hall had a big win over McDonogh last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: Our Lady of Good Counsel vs. Bishop McDevitt (PA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good Counsel travels out-of-state take on the Class 5A runner-up team from last season. They finished last year with a 6-5 record but there's two games against Gonzaga and one game against DeMatha that they had a good chance of winning. Those two teams ended up playing each other in the WCAC Capital Conference championship game last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 28th: McDonogh vs. Riverdale Baptist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is intriguing due to the new coaching staff that came in during the offseason at Riverdale Baptist. Two years ago, they went 8-0. Last year, they went 2-8. A home game against one of the MIAA A conference's top teams should give them an early glimpse as to what they can be as a team. For McDonogh, they'll have a new signal-caller behind center. I think the play at that position will be very crucial to their success this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 29th: New Town vs. Eastern</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Eastern won the 2025 DCSAA Class AA state championship last season. New Town was competitive last season (7-4) with two losses coming to Milford Mill Academy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->