Southlake Carroll to face Oklahoma's Jenks in Red River Rivalry high school football game at Cotton Bowl

The Texas vs. Oklahoma matchup will open the 2026 season for the two powerhouse programs.

Feb. 19, 2026 at 6:47pm

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Eight-time Texas state champion Southlake Carroll announced it will open the 2026 high school football season against Oklahoma powerhouse Jenks at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The game will be a continuation of the Red River Rivalry between the two states, with the teams waiting for final paperwork with the Cotton Bowl to be completed.

Why it matters

This matchup between two of the top high school football programs in Texas and Oklahoma will be one of the premier non-district games for a Texas team next season. It will be a chance for fans to see some of the top recruits in both states and will mark the debut of Southlake Carroll's new head coach Lee Munn.

The details

Jenks has won 18 football state titles in Oklahoma, with the last being in 2021. Southlake Carroll, coming off a 14-1 season and state semifinal appearance, returns four players ranked among the top 50 recruits in the Dallas area for the Class of 2027. Jenks has two of the top 13 recruits in Oklahoma in the Class of 2027.

  • The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 28, 2026.
  • Southlake Carroll last played an Oklahoma team in 2017, beating Broken Arrow 6-0.
  • Jenks has played several Dallas-area teams in recent years, including wins over Mansfield Summit in 2021 and Mansfield Legacy in 2018 and 2019.

The players

Southlake Carroll

An eight-time Texas state champion high school football program.

Jenks

An Oklahoma high school football powerhouse that has won 18 state titles, including six in a row from 1996 to 2001.

Lee Munn

The new head coach of the Southlake Carroll football team, promoted from defensive coordinator.

Blake Gunter

A top-50 recruit in the Dallas area for the Class of 2027 and a star wide receiver for Southlake Carroll.

Brody Knowles

Another top-50 recruit in the Dallas area for the Class of 2027 and a star wide receiver for Southlake Carroll.

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What they’re saying

“A Texas vs Oklahoma match-up at The Cotton Bowl to start the season”

— Southlake Carroll Football (Twitter)

What’s next

The teams are waiting for the final paperwork with the Cotton Bowl to be completed before the game is officially scheduled.

The takeaway

This high-profile matchup between two of the top high school football programs in Texas and Oklahoma will be a must-see event for fans and a chance to see some of the top recruits in both states. It will also mark the debut of Southlake Carroll's new head coach as they look to continue their championship-winning tradition.