Week 1 football schedule and predictions

The 2026 regular season kicks off Thursday and Friday with 10 games across the area.
Photo courtesy of Drew Espy

The regular season is here. After the kickoff classic weekend gave area teams their first taste of live action, Week 1 begins Thursday with two games and continues Friday with a full eight-game slate.

Here’s the full schedule and my predictions for every game:

Schedule

(All games at 7 p.m. CT unless otherwise noted)

Thursday, Aug. 20

  • Choctaw at Mosley
  • Rocky Bayou at Northview

Friday, Aug. 21

  • Lincoln at Crestview
  • Prattville (Ala.) at Niceville
  • Pensacola at Fort Walton Beach
  • Gulf Breeze at South Walton
  • West Florida Tech at Walton
  • Port St. Joe at Destin
  • Jay at Baker
  • Freeport at Arnold

Predictions

  • Choctaw 24, Mosley 14
  • Rocky Bayou 24, Northview 7
  • Prattville 24, Niceville 21
  • Crestview 21, Lincoln 17
  • Fort Walton Beach 38, Pensacola 10
  • South Walton 49, Gulf Breeze 7
  • Walton 14, West Florida Tech 10
  • Baker 35, Jay 0
  • Port St. Joe 24, Destin 14
  • Freeport 17, Arnold 14
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