Southland After Dark: Week 0 Games and Storylines to Watch
- Rey Silva
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
Southland Conference football is back, and Week 0 offers an immediate look at several teams hoping to contend this season.
From Houston Christian opening conference play against Southeastern Louisiana to a playoff-caliber showdown between Abilene Christian and Lamar, the opening slate offers plenty of early tests, new faces and questions to answer.
Here’s what to watch across the Southland in Week 0.
Houston Christian Huskies at Southeastern Louisiana Lions
Thursday | 6:00 p.m.
The Lions are coming off a playoff season and enter the year ranked in the Top 25 in both the coaches and national polls. Southeastern Louisiana will look to build on that momentum and continue its progress.
“Our preseason has been teaching us some lessons on both sides of the ball,” head coach Frank Scelfo said. “We have been working on in-game situations where we can minimize these mistakes because when we take the stage on Thursday, it will be a whole different ball game.”
As for the Huskies, they return 10 players, five on offense and five on defense, from last season, with head coach Jason Bachtel calling the offensive plays in hopes of jump-starting the unit.
Defensively, Trent Zappe, one of the Huskies’ leading tacklers, returns for another season. A secondary that produced 15 interceptions will also be key as HCU looks to make an early statement on defense.
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Nicholls Colonels
Thursday | 6:00 p.m.
The Colonels begin Year 2 of the Tommy Rybacki era with several experienced players returning while also welcoming 44 new players from their signing periods.
Their first non-conference game comes at home, but for Rybacki, building the roster is all about creating opportunities to improve.
“During this period, we have to work with guys that want to be here because those who hit the portal, we have to operate like they are not here,” Rybacki said. “We will be focused on ourselves and keep improving because once Week 0 hits, the game reps we get will be for the better of us.”
The Delta Devils enter the season with a chip on their shoulders after dropping several close games last year. Under second-year head coach Terrell Buckley, the goal is to turn those close calls into wins and become a factor in a competitive SWAC.
“Last season we had several close calls here and there, and we want to put ourselves in an area where we can close things out,” Buckley said.
Louisiana Christian Wildcats at Northwestern State Demons
Thursday | 7:00 p.m.
Northwestern State is looking to deliver a few surprises this season and emerge as a potential sleeper in the Southland Conference.
“We have seen a lot of maturity from this offseason, and we can see the guys being more responsive to adversity,” head coach Blaine McCorkle said during a preseason media luncheon. “We have older guys that have stayed in the transfer era, and it helps us out a lot with some of the guys that we have brought in to guide them and teach them the ropes.”
Louisiana Christian, meanwhile, competes in the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference and is coming off an 8-3 season. After narrowly missing the postseason last year, the Wildcats enter 2026 looking to take the next step.
East Texas A&M Lions at Mercer Bears
Saturday | 6:00 p.m.
East Texas A&M is looking to rebound from a down year and become one of the surprise teams this season.
With new assistant coaches and players in the mix, head coach Clint Dolezel has emphasized the importance of staying together and keeping games within reach.
“Our practices have been good so far, meshing things together,” Dolezel said. “I just feel like if we make plays in front of us, we will be in positions to win the ball game.”
That philosophy will receive an early test on the road against defending Southern Conference champion Mercer.
The Bears are coming off a successful season that included a conference championship and playoff appearance, but new leadership has arrived. Joel Taylor takes over for Mike Jacobs, who departed to become head coach at Toledo.
Although Mercer is once again picked to win the SoCon, the Bears will attempt to defend their crown with an overhauled roster.
Abilene Christian Wildcats at Lamar Cardinals
Saturday | 6:00 p.m.
If you’re looking for a playoff atmosphere in Week 0, this might be it.
Abilene Christian and Lamar meet in a matchup that could carry implications well beyond opening weekend. Both reached the playoffs last season and enter 2026 with expectations of returning.
Lamar brings back eight defensive players who logged significant snaps last season. Offensively, quarterback Aiden McCown returns after starting six regular-season games and the Cardinals’ playoff matchup.
“This is a really good schedule,” head coach Pete Rossomando said. “When you start with Abilene Christian, the team you played at the end of last year, that game certainly didn’t go well for us, but this is a great opportunity for us to have them down here at our place and maybe have an opportunity to even the score.”
Abilene Christian earned a playoff victory over Lamar last season and returns with even higher expectations. The Wildcats are once again expected to contend atop the United Athletic Conference alongside Tarleton State.
“It is nice to have the recognition, plus being in the playoffs back-to-back years while winning the conference title has been big,” head coach Keith Patterson said during conference media day. “We want to be bigger if we are to continue this trend we are on. We feel like we are in the right direction and we continue to be our best.”
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at McNeese Cowboys
Saturday | 6:00 p.m.
Stephen F. Austin enters the season as one of the favorites to win the Southland Conference after making a deep playoff run last year.
Head coach Colby Carthel pointed to roster retention and the culture within the program as reasons for optimism.
“The retention went very well during the offseason, plus the culture that we have within our program has enabled us to focus on the smaller details that we can work on,” Carthel said.
There will be plenty of eyes on the Lumberjacks and their collection of returning talent, including several All-Americans. But opening on the road at McNeese presents an immediate challenge.
“It is a daunting challenge because they will be just as hungry as we are,” Carthel said.
McNeese enters the second season of Matt Viator’s second stint leading the program as the Cowboys look to rediscover the edge that defined some of their best years.
“The work attitude is there, plus we have got a little more speed on us now that we’ve seen training camp involved,” Viator said. “It feels a little different only because, as coaches, we have the first day of school the same day we start to prepare for the Lumberjacks.”
Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggies at UIW Cardinals
Saturday | 6:00 p.m.
Oklahoma Panhandle State looks to bounce back from a difficult 3-7 season as the Aggies travel to San Antonio to face Incarnate Word.
The Aggies compete in the NAIA’s Sooner Athletic Conference and face a significant early test against an FCS opponent.
UIW began last season nationally ranked and endured an opening-night loss to Nicholls before eventually earning a win over playoff team Abilene Christian.
Head coach Clint Killough said eliminating costly mistakes will be a priority this season.
“We need to be better taking care of the football and not make the same mistakes on defense like we did last season,” Killough said during media day.
The Cardinals enter the season with a new offensive coordinator taking over a unit that produced more than 400 passing yards per game last year. Defensively, UIW will rely on several new faces as it looks to improve.
UT Permian Basin Falcons at UTRGV Vaqueros
Saturday | 7:00 p.m.
UT Permian Basin arrives from the Lone Star Conference after an 11-win season and playoff run. The Falcons will look to carry that momentum into Week 0 and potentially add an FCS win to their résumé.
For UTRGV, the defense has been steady throughout training camp thanks to a strong group of returning players and only a handful of holes to fill.
The bigger question is on offense: Who will be QB1 at Vackar Stadium?
Aidan Jakobsohn, who saw playing time last season, and FBS transfer Garrett Rangel have split duties throughout training camp.
Head coach Travis Bush indicated that the competition may continue into the season. “Both quarterbacks will see playing time,” Bush said. “They have both done some interesting things during training camp.”
With two quarterbacks in the mix and an accomplished Division II opponent coming to town, the Vaqueros should get an immediate test to open the season.
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