You gotta see these games! A viewer’s guide to the high school football season.

The Tiger Cage? Check.

The Peninsula’s most storied rivalry? Yep.

A former star quarterback’s return to the 757? Got it.

All those and much more are featured in a week-by-week look at where you should be this high school football season.

Note: Days, times and sites are subject to change.

Week 1

Friday: Oscar Smith at Deep Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday: Phoebus at Lake Taylor, 7 p.m.

It’s opening week, and there are two marquee matchups. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between the two. Head to Oscar Smith at Deep Creek on Friday night for a Southeastern District showdown between the Chesapeake rivals, then head to Lake Taylor on Saturday as the Titans host Phoebus in a possible playoff preview. Lake Taylor drops from Class 4 to join the Phantoms in Class 3 this season.

Week 2

Sept. 3: J.R. Tucker at Indian River, 7 p.m.

J.R. Tucker? Of Richmond? Yes. The Tigers are coached by a former Oscar Smith Tiger: star QB Phillip Sims. He brings his latest reclamation project to Chesapeake for what figures to be a challenge against the Braves. At John Marshall, Sims took the Justices from 1-9 to back-to-back playoff appearances. He’s in his first full season at J.R. Tucker.

Week 3

Sept. 9: Hampton vs. Woodside at Todd Stadium, 7 p.m.

Longtime Hampton coach Mike Smith should be sitting on 499 career victories heading into this Peninsula District rivalry. But to get No. 500, his defense will have to solve coach Danny Dodson’s wing-T attack.

Also worth seeing this week: Catholic at Norfolk Academy, 7 p.m., Sept. 10

Week 4

Sept. 17: St. John Bosco at Oscar Smith, 7 p.m.

The Tigers host a Los Angeles-area team ranked third in the latest MaxPreps national poll. Arrive early to see the “Tiger Cage” and Oscar Smith’s music-blaring, smoke-filled entrance and stay to see if the Tigers can hang with a perennial national power.

Week 5

Sept. 24: Lake Taylor vs. Maury at Powhatan Field, 7 p.m.

These Norfolk rivals always play a spirited game, and the winner often hops into the Eastern District driver’s seat. The coaching matchup is intriguing: Lake Taylor’s Hank Sawyer has won more than 200 games and three state championships (2012, 2014, 2019) over 22 seasons. Dyrri McCain, a former star wide receiver for the Commodores, has won 37 games in four seasons and guided Maury to a Class 4 state title in 2019.

Week 6

Oct. 1: York vs. Tabb at Bailey Field, 7 p.m.

These ancient rivals hook up this season with added intrigue: First-year Tabb coach Brent Ashley played for York, where John Ashley — his father — is the current athletic director and a previous coach for the Falcons.

Also worth seeing this week: Indian River at Oscar Smith, 7 p.m., Oct. 1

Week 7

Oct. 8: Phoebus vs. Hampton, 7 p.m.

The Peninsula’s best — and most intense — rivalry. It’s no longer the season-ending showdown it was for years, but by October, both teams figure to have an eye on the district title — and more — heading into postseason.

Week 8

Oct. 15: Green Run at Bayside, 7 p.m.

Green Run is the preseason pick to win the Beach District and claim its first title since 1995. The road to that title could very well lead down Haygood Road, where Bayside christens a new field this season.

Week 9

Oct. 23: Churchland at Norcom, 1 p.m.

Let’s head to Portsmouth and Joe Langston Stadium for a storied rivalry that matches two young coaches: Churchland’s Dontrelle Leonard and Norcom’s Korrey Davis. Leonard has rebuilt the Truckers into a contender in his four seasons, and Davis hopes to do the same as he begins his second.

Week 10

Nov. 5: Lafayette vs. Warhill at Wanner Stadium, 7 p.m.

These Williamsburg rivals clash in the regular-season finale for what should decide the Bay Rivers District title. Lafayette is the defending Class 3 state champ and has won nine of the past 10 Bay Rivers crowns.

Postseason

The playoffs get back to normal after reduced fields in the spring season. And, a bonus this year: The Class 6 and Class 5 championship games for the first time will be played at Old Dominion University on Dec. 11.

Jami Frankenberry, 757-446-2376, jami.frankenberry@pilotonline.com