The 2026 Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association football season is set to kick off in late August, promising a slate of competitive matchups across the Murfreesboro area.
Early‑Season Highlights
Among the earliest marquee contests, Oakland will host CPA on August 21, a rematch of last year's 28‑14 victory for the Patriots, while Riverdale opens its campaign against Knox Catholic, seeking revenge after a 20‑6 loss in the 2025 season opener, and Brentwood will face Smyrna in another opening‑week battle.
CPA entered the 2025 meeting with a 28‑14 win over Oakland, a result that added momentum to their early‑season form, while Catholic’s 20‑6 triumph over Riverdale gave the Knights a modest edge heading into the new year.
Mid‑Season Tests
Blackman will travel to face Riverdale on September 4, looking to avenge a 17‑10 defeat they suffered in 2025, and Oakland will test its mettle against Pearl‑Cohn on September 11, a team they previously dominated 38‑6.
The rivalry will intensify on September 25 when Blackman and Oakland meet again, followed by a late‑October showdown on October 23 where Rockvale takes on Riverdale, and a week later MTCS squares off with Providence Christian.
Late‑Season Rivalries
The final weekend of October brings two more high‑stakes games: Oakland travels to face Riverdale on October 30, and Smyrna hosts Stewarts Creek, rounding out a busy conclusion to the regular season and setting the stage for playoff considerations.