Sep. 3—The 2026 high school football season in Spokane bring some changes in how the Greater Spokane League will divvy out league championship trophies and schedule league games — and at what time they play them.
In an effort to create more competitive balance, and allow teams to pursue nonleague competition, the league decided to split the 4A/3A league into separate divisions this year and award three league champions instead of two. That means that only games against schools in the same classification count as a league game.
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There are four 4A schools in the GSL: Ferris, Gonzaga Prep, Lewis and Clark and Mead. That means each will only have three league games. There is no margin for error with that few league games.
When there were nine league games, if you stubbed your toe in Week 3 you had six to try to make up for it. You can’t hide from any mistakes now.
The six 3A schools will each have five league games, and the seven 2A schools will each have six. Another thing to keep in mind: North Central won its petition to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and will play in the 2A classification across the board in all sports, even in district and state playoffs.
Most league members will still play most of the rest of the league in nonleague games, but everyone gets two games outside the league. The top two teams from the previous season don’t have to play the bottom two, removing some of the lopsided games we’ve seen in the recent past.
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It also gives teams that expect to be competitive a chance to play similar teams early or maybe go on the road to get experience traveling — something that’s come up to bite GSL teams in the Week 10 playoffs in recent years.
Another twist this season is that many schools are playing league games at 6 p.m. Now, for the local paper with an early deadline this is like an oasis in the middle of the desert — cool, sweet relief. A couple of schools tried it last season for a few games and got a pretty good response from fans, coaches and players.
As long as they can get referees onsite for 6 p.m. kickoffs we’ll be in business.
With all that in mind, let’s go around the league and take a look at the Week 1 matchups.
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All games nonleague. All games Friday at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Records are from 2025.
Games of the week
Regis Jesuit (Colorado) (4-7) at Gonzaga Prep (11-1, 9-0): G-Prep reached a state quarterfinal last year but returns just two starters, and they’ll both be in new positions. Andrew Yarno, grandson of NFL legend George Yarno, moves over at quarterback from safety for the Bullpups.
Ridgeline (4-6, 3-6) at West Valley (9-2, 6-0): The 2A Eagles expect not only to contend for the league title, but to make serious waves in the postseason in Nathan Zettle’s senior year at QB. Zettle, last year’s GSL 2A MVP in football and basketball, is 20-3 as a two-year starter and can go down as the winningest quarterback in West Valley history.
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The Falcons, under new coach Andy Olson, hope to bounce back from a three-win season in-league last year.
Other games
Hanford (3-7) at Ferris (0-10, 0-9): Friday 4:30 p.m. At ONE Spokane Stadium. The Saxons break in new coach Billy Newman.
Lewis and Clark (5-5, 5-4) at Coeur d’Alene (2-0 2026): Friday at 7. Tigers have a tough draw across the border against Idaho 6A No. 4-ranked team.
Mead (6-4, 6-3) at Sunnyside (4-5): Friday at 7. The Panthers go on a long road trip to open up looking to build camaraderie and momentum.
Walla Walla (3-7) at Mt. Spokane (7-3, 7-2): Wildcats look to get off on the right foot at home.
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Cheney (8-2, 8-1) at Southridge (6-5): Blackhawks return league offensive player of the year Connor Collins in search for follow-up trip to postseason.
Central Valley (2-8, 2-7) at Lake City (3-6): Friday at 7. CV hopes to bounce back from a disappointing season last year.
Shadle Park (1-8, 1-8) at Rogers (5-5, 3-3): Friday at 7:30. The Pirates and Highlanders face off in a building they both call home.
Riverside (2-7, 1-2 NEA) at East Valley (5-5, 4-2): The Knights start a campaign for a second consecutive trip to state.
Deer Park (3-6, 2-4) at Colville (7-3, 3-0 NEA): Friday at 7.
Eisenhower (0-10) at Pullman (4-6, 3-3)
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Moscow (6-3) at Clarkston (1-8, 1-5)
Royal (13-0) at Lakeside (4-5, 2-1 NEA): Friday at 7. Eagles open up with defending State 1A champs.
Medical Lake (0-8, 0-3 NEA) at Cascade (Leavenworth) (5-5): Friday at 7.
