Friday nights in Temple, Texas, feel different. If you’ve ever been near 31st Street when the lights at Wildcat Stadium flicker on, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There’s this specific hum in the air—part humidity, part nervous energy, and a whole lot of history.
People around here don't just "watch" the game. They live it.
But honestly, keeping track of the temple wildcats football schedule can be a bit of a headache lately. Between UIL realignment, the coaching shakeups, and those brutal non-district road trips, you kinda need a roadmap just to figure out where to park on a Friday evening.
The 2025 Road: A New Era Under Coach President
The biggest news hitting the 2025 season isn't actually a player. It’s the guy on the sidelines. Earlier in 2025, Temple ISD made it official: Chad President is the new Head Coach.
For those who don't follow the local lore, President is an alum. He’s one of us. He took over for Scott Stewart, who really stabilized this program for years. Seeing an alum lead a storied 6A program like Temple is basically the plot of a movie, but the 2025 schedule didn't do him any favors for his debut year.
The Wildcats' 2025 campaign was a wild ride of "what ifs" and "almosts."
Take a look at how that 2025 regular season actually shook out:
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The season kicked off with a massive 42-18 win over a varsity opponent on August 29th. It felt like the new era was starting with a bang. They followed that up with a gritty 35-28 win over Round Rock on September 5th. Then, things got really interesting. A high-scoring 40-33 victory against Reagan on September 12th had everyone thinking this might be a deep-playoff-run year.
But then, District 12-6A happened.
The "Little Southwest Conference" is never easy. The loss to Shoemaker (31-28) on September 26th was a gut-punch. It sort of set a pattern of tight games where the Wildcats were just one play away. They rebounded with a huge 42-14 win over Killeen on October 17th and a 32-0 shutout of Copperas Cove on Halloween night.
Ultimately, the season ended in the first round of the playoffs with a 35-14 loss to the juggernaut that is Duncanville. Losing to Duncanville is nothing to be ashamed of—they're basically a semi-pro team at this point—but it showed the gap Temple still needs to close.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Temple Wildcats Football Schedule
If you're looking for the 2026 dates, you've gotta understand how Texas high school football works. We're currently in the middle of a two-year UIL realignment block.
Basically, the 2026 schedule will mirror the 2025 dates, just with the locations flipped. If Temple played at home in 2025, they’ll likely be on the road in 2026.
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Expected 2026 Key Matchups:
- Late August: Season Opener (Likely at home to start the President Year 2 era).
- Early September: The Round Rock rematch. This has become a fantastic rivalry that tests the Wildcats' depth early.
- Mid-October: The heart of District 12-6A. Watch for the Midway and Harker Heights games. These are almost always the games that decide who gets the higher playoff seeding.
- Late October: The Copperas Cove and Bryan matchups. These are the "must-wins" if Temple wants to keep their playoff streak alive.
Coach President has been vocal about "The Process." You've likely heard it if you've been to any of the Quarterback Club meetings. It's about getting back to that physical, dominant style of football that defined Temple in the 90s and mid-2010s.
The Players to Watch (Who’s Actually Returning?)
A schedule is just a list of dates if you don't know who's wearing the blue and gold. For the upcoming stretch, you need to keep your eyes on Jamarion Carlton.
The kid is a monster on the defensive line. We’re talking 6’4”, 250-pound "don't-run-his-way" kind of talent. He’s a blue-chip recruit for a reason. Having him anchor the defense makes the 2026 temple wildcats football schedule look a lot more manageable.
Then there’s Champ Mayo at QB. He’s a senior now (Class of 2026), and having a three-year starter under center is a luxury most high school coaches would sell their soul for. His connection with guys like Preston Thomas is going to be the highlight reel of the local news every Saturday morning.
Survival Guide for Wildcat Stadium
If you’re planning on attending a game in 2026, don't just show up at 7:00 PM and expect a seat on the 50-yard line.
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Wildcat Stadium (built in 1965, by the way) holds about 11,500 people. On a big night, it feels like 20,000.
Pro-Tips for Game Day:
- Buy Digital: Temple ISD has moved almost entirely to digital ticketing through Hometown Ticketing. Don't be the person standing at the gate trying to find a cash box. It doesn't exist anymore.
- The Backpack Rule: Don't bring one. Seriously. The stadium rules are strict. No backpacks, no outside food, and definitely no tobacco.
- The "Home" Side: Home fans sit on the North side. If you accidentally end up on the visitor side (Southwest), be prepared for some friendly—or not so friendly—banter.
- Arrive Early: Gates usually open 90 minutes before kickoff. If you want to see the "Wildcat" mascot and the band's entrance (which is world-class), be in your seat by 7:10 PM.
Why the Schedule Matters More Than Ever
Texas high school football is changing. Realignment is pushing teams into bigger districts with more travel. For Temple, being in District 12-6A means they’re constantly battling the powerhouse schools from the Killeen area and Waco Midway.
The 2026 temple wildcats football schedule isn't just a list of games; it's a test of whether the program can climb back into that "Elite" status in Region II.
There's a lot of talk about whether the Wildcats can handle the speed of the Austin-area schools or the sheer size of the Dallas-area teams they'll meet in the playoffs. Honestly? It's going to come down to health. Last year, a few injuries in the secondary really hurt them during that mid-season slump.
Actionable Steps for Wildcat Fans
If you want to stay on top of things as the 2026 season approaches, here is what you actually need to do:
- Download the Temple Wildcats App: This is where the most "official" last-minute schedule changes (like weather delays) happen first.
- Bookmark MaxPreps: While it’s not always perfect, it’s the best place to see live score updates if you can't make it to the stadium.
- Follow Chad President on Social Media: He’s been much more active than previous coaches in sharing "behind the scenes" looks at practice and player development.
- Check the UIL Website in February 2026: This is when the official "Snapshot" and realignment news for the next cycle will start to leak, though we're mostly set for the 2026 season.
The tradition here is heavy. You see it in the "T" on the helmets and the way the town shuts down on Friday nights. Whether they're 10-0 or fighting for a fourth-place playoff spot, the temple wildcats football schedule is the heartbeat of this city.
Get your tickets early, wear your blue, and show up. The kids on that field are playing for more than just a win—they’re playing for Temple.