Get ready for a Friday night lights spectacle in Western New York! Two of the state's premier high school football programs, St. Francis and Bennett, are set to clash in a massive season-opening showdown on September 4, 2026, at the University at Buffalo's Broadview Stadium.

This Buffalo-area battle features two teams consistently ranked among New York's Top 25. The St. Francis Red Raiders, coming off a stellar 10-2 season and a No. 5 state ranking in 2025, are led by Rutgers-commit quarterback Trent Buttles, a dynamic dual-threat who accounted for 29 total touchdowns last year. They'll face a formidable Bennett squad that posted a 9-2 record, with their only losses coming against powerhouse out-of-state opponents.

This high-stakes opener promises more than just local bragging rights. With elite talent like Buttles on the field, along with rising stars Domonic Cook Jr. and Mason Anderson for St. Francis, it's a showcase of the next generation of football talent. For fans, it's the perfect opportunity to see future college stars in an electric, stadium atmosphere to kick off the 2026 campaign.