When it comes to the Southwest, there's no shortage of games to go to on any Friday night during the fall.High school football in the region is more of a religion than it is anything else and that shows on Friday's when thousands pack into the stands on any given week just to watch their favorite teams.In this region though, the biggest games tend to draw crowds larger than anywhere else in the country. Just what are the biggest games in each state in the region this season that need to be on your radar?Watch the best high school football games in 2026 via NFHSUSA TODAY Sports took a look at the slate in each and narrowed each down to the one in-state game that stands above the rest. The Southwest Region includes programs and athletes from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.Arkansas: Conway at BryantDate: Nov. 6, 7 p.m.Bryant being the team to beat in Arkansas has become the norm in recent years with not many teams able to contend with the Hornets. Conway has lost 12 straight against Bryant but their 2025 meeting was one of the closer games with the Hornets winning 28-21. This game serves as both teams regular season finale. Colorado: Cherry Creek at Valor ChristianDate: Sept. 18, 7 p.m.This has become one of the better up-and-coming rivalries in Colorado's high school football scene with Cherry Creek holding a narrow 7-6 series lead. They've played in the Class 5A state semifinals each of the last two seasons, but this year marks the first time since 2023 that they'll meet in the regular season. The Bruins won last year's game 21-13. Kansas: Manhattan at Mill ValleyDate: Sept. 11, 7 p.m.It's been 13 years since Manhattan and Mill Valley last faced off on a football field, but this year's marks the first of a two-year home-and-home series between the schools. Mill Valley is jumping up a class after winning five straight state titles between 2019 and 2023. Manhattan has also been a recent state contender, winning the 6A title in 2022 and finishing as the runner-up in 2024.New Mexico: Centennial vs. ClevelandDate: Aug. 21, 7 p.m.Cleveland is a perfect 6-0 all-time against Centennial but that doesn't take away from the fact that this has become one of New Mexico's must-see showdowns. Last year's season-opener between the two was a prime example why as the Storm won 55-42. Fireworks to start the season once again is not out of the question.Oklahoma: Bixby at OwassoDate: Aug. 28, 7 p.m.These two sides squared off twice last season with Bixby rolling in the regular season game 49-21 and then beating the Rams by 14 in the Class 6A state championship game. Owasso has played the Spartans tight in their back-to-back championship meetings and a win over the defending eight-time champions to start the season would be quite the statement for a Rams team looking to take the next step forward as a program.Texas: Duncanville at WaxahachieDate: Oct. 23, 7 p.m.Both programs play gauntlets to start the year but this game in particular stands out given how 2025 played out. Waxahachie took its next step forward as a program, winning the regular season meeting 28-27, only for Duncanville to win the playoff game 35-27. A convincing win here by either side likely establishes the winner as the team to beat in Class 6A this season.Follow Sports ReporterJoe Spearson X at@joe_spears7or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow@usatodayhsson Instagram and X.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The top in-state high school football games in the Southwest region in 2026