As football season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate three consecutive days of thrilling games to kick off the new year.
Jaden Craig has been named TCU’s starting quarterback, boasting an impressive record of 60 pass attempts for every interception during his time at Harvard—a statistic that has fans of the Horned Frogs buzzing with excitement.
The buzz of football is palpable, as the summer heat gives way to the vibrant atmosphere of the upcoming season. At local high schools, bands rehearse in parking lots, drill teams practice their routines, and football teams endure the sweltering heat, either outdoors or in open indoor facilities. Regardless of personal preference, it is clear that fall—the season of sports, not the weather—has arrived.
Mark your calendars for an action-packed extended weekend featuring a trio of football games in the last week of August. Fans in Fort Worth can enjoy 12 quarters of exhilarating matchups with minimal travel.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday, with Texas Wesleyan University, an NAIA football program, starting their season against the University of Central Oklahoma. The TWU Rams aim to recapture the prolific offensive success they enjoyed in 2024, when they finished with a record of 10-1 and set school scoring records. After a challenging start following the program’s revival, the Rams have made impressive strides, consistently achieving winning records and making the playoffs in consecutive seasons. However, they are still in search of their first postseason victory. Since football returned to Fort Worth’s smaller private university in 2017 after a lengthy hiatus, the Rams have claimed the Sooner Athletic Conference title four times in a row. Their season opener is set for August 27 at 6 PM at Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium, their home venue.
On Friday, fans can return to Crowley ISD Stadium at 7 PM for a high school showdown between the North Crowley Panthers and the Aledo Bearcats. North Crowley is known for being one of the strongest teams in 6A Division 1, while Aledo has recently moved up to 6A Division 2 due to an increase in student enrollment. This matchup promises to be a treat for local fans, as both teams are among the best in the Fort Worth area and will not face each other during district play or in the playoffs. Both squads are looking to make their mark after deep playoff runs last season, which ended in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. While there are other exciting games in the high school season’s opening week, this matchup stands out as the highlight in North Texas.
As much as one might wish to attend both Friday and Saturday games, it’s nearly impossible. Instead, it’s advisable to rest up from Friday night festivities and tune in to TCU’s season opener in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday at 11 AM from the comfort of home.
The Frogs will face the North Carolina Tar Heels for the second consecutive year. This matchup is not to be overlooked, but for distinctly different reasons than last season. This is Week 0, and TCU’s game stands out as the marquee event among a lineup that lacks significant competition. The Frogs are set to kick off the entire major college football season, an exciting prospect for fans. The focus has shifted away from off-field narratives to the Frogs themselves, who have undergone substantial offensive changes without altering their head coach.
While it would be premature to make predictions about TCU’s season, the prospect of the team moving away from the previous reckless style under Kendal Briles is promising. Now under the guidance of Gordon Sammis, a former offensive lineman from UConn, the Frogs are expected to embrace a more physical and balanced offensive approach. Graduate transfer Jaden Craig from Harvard is likely to take over at quarterback, bringing with him a reputation as a standout player from his previous program. Whether these changes translate to on-field success remains to be seen. However, the anticipation surrounding the first successful execution of a read-option play in this new offensive scheme is sure to be exhilarating, even if it yields just a couple of yards.
