Northern Nevada High School Football Season Begins
The 2026 high school football season in northern Nevada opened on Friday, August 14, with a slate of games that set the tone for a competitive year across multiple classifications.
Spanish Springs entered the season as the defending state and regional champions in Class 5A, while McQueen, the previous Class 4A champion, will now compete in the higher division, adding a new layer of intrigue to the schedule.
Fallon, the recent 3A state champions, will open their campaign on August 21 at Reed High School, where they will play on a brand‑new turf surface that coaches say could give them an early edge.
Key Early Matchups
Among the early contests, Fallon’s showdown with Bishop Manogue and a series of games involving Lowry and Wooster promise to test the depth of each roster as teams jockey for positioning.
The regular season spans 12 weeks, giving coaches ample time to fine‑tune strategies and build chemistry before the postseason begins.
Playoff Structure
Playoffs for the 5A‑North and 4A‑North brackets open with semifinals on November 6, leading to state championship games in late November and early December. The 5A North title will be decided on November 24 in Southern Nevada, while the 4A state championship follows on November 21 in the northern region.
Class 3A‑North quarterfinal action takes place on October 30, with subsequent semifinals on November 6 and a state semifinal on November 14, culminating in the 3A championship on November 24 in Southern Nevada.
Lower divisions follow a similar timeline, with 2A state semifinals scheduled for November 14 and the 1A title game set for November 24, also in Southern Nevada, ensuring a full slate of championship events across the state.