Camden High School to Face Off Against Permian in 2026

New Jersey football powerhouse to travel to Texas for high-profile matchup

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Camden High School, the reigning New Jersey state champion in football, has announced that they will be traveling to Texas to take on the storied Permian Panthers in 2026. This will mark the first time a New Jersey public school has made the trip to face a Texas high school football program.

Why it matters

This matchup between two highly successful high school football programs from different regions of the country is an exciting opportunity to showcase the talent and competitiveness of New Jersey football on a national stage. It also highlights the growing trend of interstate high school football competitions.

The details

Camden High School, which won the 2025 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Group 2 state championship, will be facing off against Permian High School, a Texas football powerhouse that finished the 2025 season ranked No. 74 in the state. Permian, the subject of the popular 2004 film 'Friday Night Lights', is looking to bounce back after a strong 11-2 season in 2025.

  • Camden High School won the 2025 NJSIAA Group 2 state championship.
  • Permian High School finished the 2025 season with an 11-2 record.
  • The Camden vs. Permian matchup is scheduled to take place in 2026.

The players

Camden High School

A New Jersey high school football powerhouse that won the 2025 NJSIAA Group 2 state championship.

Permian High School

A Texas high school football program that was the subject of the popular 2004 film 'Friday Night Lights' and finished the 2025 season ranked No. 74 in the state.

Roman Duckett

A junior running back for Camden High School who rushed for 730 yards and scored 9 touchdowns in the 2025 season.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to take on the challenge of facing a storied program like Permian. This is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their skills on a national stage.”

— Camden High School Head Coach (Instagram)

What’s next

The matchup between Camden High School and Permian High School is scheduled to take place in 2026, with the exact date and location to be determined.

The takeaway

This interstate high school football matchup between a New Jersey powerhouse and a Texas legend showcases the growing national interest and competitiveness of high school football programs across the country. It will be an exciting opportunity for both teams to test their skills against elite competition.