Season Kickoff and Early Games
The 2026 high school football season in Northern Virginia opens with games on Aug. 27 and 28, marking the start of a packed schedule for Arlington’s four public schools. Bishop O’Connell Knights and Washington‑Liberty Generals meet on Friday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. in a much‑anticipated season opener, while Wakefield Warriors host the Falls Church Jaguars on the same day.
Yorktown Patriots, the defending Liberty District champions, open their campaign on Aug. 28 at home against the South Lakes Seahawks, setting the stage for a season that will see them chase another district title.
Wakefield, under new head coach Brian Slay, looks to snap a six‑game losing streak, while Bishop O’Connell aims to improve on a 2‑9 finish from the previous year.
Rivalries and Schedules
Washington‑Liberty, coming off a 7‑4 record and a first‑round playoff exit to Westfield, will host Yorktown on Oct. 31 at 1 p.m., a rematch that could influence district standings. The Generals also have three Arlington‑area matchups scheduled, including a game against Wakefield on Oct. 2, and will play a 10‑game slate with three home contests against rival teams.
Yorktown’s schedule includes a district showdown with Washington‑Liberty on Oct. 31, and the team will look to replicate the 6‑0 district record achieved under first‑year head coach Alec Hicks.
Other playoff teams from last season, such as Langley, Marshall, Centreville, Westfield and South Lakes, are also slated to compete, promising a competitive landscape across the region.