The Spring High Lions open district play against the Dekaney Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 25 at Planet Ford Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Both Spring ISD programs enter the rivalry game looking to start district competition strong after uneven non-conference stretches.
The matchup drew regional attention. FOX 26 Houston morning sports anchor and reporter Nate Griffin visited both campuses on the morning of Sept. 25 as part of the station's Friday Football Fever broadcast. Spring ISD said Griffin went live from Spring High at 6:41 a.m. and from Dekaney at 8:41 a.m. The district called the game a major Spring ISD rivalry in a separate post on X, noting Griffin stopped by both schools to wish the teams good luck.
The Wildcats carry momentum into the contest. Dekaney (2-1) has won two straight, beating Alief Elsik 30-0 on Sept. 3 and Strake Jesuit 21-14 on Sept. 11, according to MaxPreps. The Wildcats' lone loss came in the opener against Fulshear, 15-28, on Aug. 27.
The Lions (1-2) opened the season with a 40-27 win over Channelview on Aug. 28 but have dropped two since. Spring fell to Waller 0-40 on Sept. 4 and to Cypress Lakes 24-44 on Sept. 12, according to MaxPreps.
Spring will lean on senior playmakers to reverse that slide. Wide receiver Daquan Sampson leads the Lions at 120.0 receiving yards per game. Senior quarterback Landon Hathcock has thrown one touchdown pass through three games, and senior running back Vincent Lee has added one rushing touchdown.
Dekaney's defense has been the story of the Wildcats' streak. The unit posted a shutout against Alief Elsik and held Strake Jesuit to 14 points after allowing 28 to Fulshear in the opener.
The Sept. 25 game is the district opener for both squads, meaning the winner takes an early edge in the standings. For Spring, a win would even the Lions' record at 2-2 heading into the heart of the schedule. For Dekaney, a third straight victory would push the Wildcats to 3-1.
The Lions return to Planet Ford Stadium on Friday, Oct. 2 to host the Westfield Mustangs at 7 p.m. Dekaney travels to Nimitz the same night, also at 7 p.m.
