The 2026 Maryland High School Football Landscape
The 2026 high school football season in Maryland promises a slate of 15 marquee contests that will determine not only local bragging rights but also influence regional and national rankings. From long‑standing rivalries to fresh coaching narratives, each game is positioned to shape the competitive landscape of the state.
Early‑Season Showdowns
The season opens with a clash between Archbishop Spalding and DeMatha Catholic on August 28, a meeting that pits the reigning powerhouses against each other as Spalding aims to extend its dominance in the DMV market. A few weeks later, Linganore will host Mergenthaler Vocational‑Technical in a Class 3A championship rematch on September 5, underscoring the intensity of Maryland’s top public‑school rivalry. Meanwhile, Paul Laurence Dunbar’s defense of its state title begins with a test against Milford Mill Academy on September 4, a game that will reveal how the defending champions stack up early in the year.
Mid‑Season Shifts
In Prince George’s County, the September 18 encounter between Henry A. Wise and Charles Herbert Flowers is being watched closely as both squads chase Class 4A titles, adding another layer of intrigue to the county’s public‑school hierarchy. Southern Maryland’s football reputation will be examined when Patuxent meets Huntingtown on October 2, a matchup that could decide whether the region remains the state’s toughest public‑football hotbed. October 9 brings a series of pivotal games: McDonogh School’s bid to keep Archbishop Spalding unbeaten in the MIAA A Conference, Oakdale’s renewal of its historic rivalry with Linganore, and Sherwood’s attempt to finally claim home‑field advantage over Quince Orchard. That same day, Our Lady of Good Counsel will face DeMatha Catholic, introducing a new coaching storyline that could reshape the WCAC rivalry dynamics.
Late‑Season Stakes
Later in the month, Dunbar will meet Mergenthaler again on October 15, a city‑championship decider that could define Baltimore’s postseason prospects. Northern‑Calvert’s October 23 rematch with Huntingtown is expected to re‑position Southern Maryland’s postseason outlook after the 2025 state title. DeMatha Catholic will host Gonzaga (D.C.) on Halloween night, a WCAC Capital Division clash that will crown the division’s supremacy. Bullis School’s November 7 victory over Georgetown Prep could finally end a nine‑year championship drought in the Interstate Athletic Conference, adding a dramatic twist to the conference race. The season’s climax arrives on November 13, when IMG Academy from Florida meets Saint Frances Academy at Under Armour Stadium. The game not only pits a national powerhouse against a Maryland staple but also offers a glimpse of the state’s potential to produce a national champion.