Yes, we know summer just started, and it’s way too early for back to school sales. However, before you know it, kids will be heading back to class. While many of us don’t look forward to shopping for school supplies and clothes, there is one thing we can all get excited about. It will soon be time for another exciting season of GameTime high school football.
Before the new season starts, let’s enjoy the rest of summer and some Classic GameTime.
We’ve chosen eight of the best games from 2018 and will air them weekly leading up to our GameTime season premiere in August. While these games are less than a year old, all of them can be considered “instant classics”. From close nail biters to dramatic come-from-behind victories and everything in between, these games show why high school football is a favorite among sports fans.
Classic GameTime features teams from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Omaha, Louisiana, Rhode Island and Arizona. You’ll see some of the best players, top college recruits and team rivalries from around the country.
Beginning June 27th, Classic GameTime airs on the Cox/YurView channel in your region every Thursday and Friday night (check local listings for channel and time). You can also watch these games and every game from last season on yurview.com. Here’s a preview of this season’s Classic GameTime lineup.
Bentonville West (Arkansas) vs. Owasso (Oklahoma)
Original game played: August 24th, 2018
Scheduled air date: June 27, 2019
Defending 2017 Oklahoma 6A-I state champion Owasso Rams opened the season against Bentonville West, Arkansas. Bentonville West finished the prior season with a 9-2 record and was one of the favorites to win Arkansas 7A.
Bentonville West dominated the first two and a half quarters building up a 31-14 lead in the third quarter. Owasso, led by Quarterback Will Kuehne (North Texas signee) would make a fierce comeback.
Both teams combined for nearly 100 points to make this one of the most exciting high scoring games of the season. Find out which team outlasted the other on this Classic GameTime series opener.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
North Kingstown vs. Bishop Hendricken (Rhode Island)
Original game played: September 21, 2018
Scheduled air date: July 4, 2019
This game featured two of the best teams in Rhode Island. Coming into the game, North Kingstown hadn’t lost a game since November 2016. Last year’s Division II Super Bowl winner was hungry to prove itself against Division I powerhouse Bishop Hendriken. The Hawks came into the game winning 7 of the last 8 Division 1 state titles.
In a closely fought first half, Bishop Hendricken led 14-12 at the half. Could the Division II powerhouse come onto Hendricken’s home turf and upset the best D1 team in the state? Watch this big Rhode Island rivalry game and find out.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Archbishop Rummel vs. Catholic B.R. (Louisiana)
Original game played: November 23, 2018
Scheduled air date: July 11, 2019
Two storied Louisiana programs clashed in the Capital City for a Division One playoff showdown, and this one would go down to the wire.
The last time Archbishop Rummel and Catholic High met, it was for a state championship in 2015 in the Louisiana Superdome. Catholic won that game 31-28 on a last-second field goal to capture the title.
The two-seed Catholic owned a 10-1 record, including eight wins in a row. Three-seed Archbishop Rummel went 9-2 during the regular season and defeated Brother Martin, 27-23, in the Division I quarterfinals the previous week.
Even though it was a low-scoring affair, this game had it all – bad weather conditions, turnovers, booming punts, long field goals and a nail biter decided with just seconds on the clock. Find out which team came out the victor in this Division I semi-final playoff.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Bishop Gorman (Nevada) vs. Centennial (Arizona)
Original game played: August 31, 2018
Scheduled air date: July 18, 2019
Perennial high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman (NV) traveled south to face last year’s Arizona 5A state champion, Centennial High School in Peoria, AZ. Bishop Gorman was loaded with talent including five of the top 11 Nevada prospects in the 2019 recruiting class – Treven Maae (Oregon), Falcon Kaumatule (Utah), Bradley Gould (Southwest Minnesota State), Kyu Kelly (Stanford), Beau Taylor (UCLA) and Cade Briggs (New Mexico).
The Gaels from Bishop Gorman were coming off a shocking week one blowout where they failed to score and gave up 42 points to Mater Dei (CA). The Centennial Coyotes are no stranger to playing high profile, nationally ranked teams. The prior season, they beat the then #3 nationally ranked St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders (FL).
Defensive stops were the story early in the game. Both quarterbacks were flushed out of the pocket, running lanes were hard to come by and each team failed to convert on 4th downs. After a scoreless first half, both teams had their chances to win in the second half. Would it be the national powerhouse from Nevada or the giant killer from Arizona?
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Bellevue West vs. Omaha North (Nebraska)
Original game played: October 12, 2018
Scheduled air date; July 25, 2019
Bellevue West came into the game undefeated while Omaha North was looking to salvage their season and stay above .500. What looked like an easy game for Bellevue West, turned into one of the greatest high school football games in Omaha, Nebraska history.
Both teams combined for 958 yards of total offense and 101 points. This game went back and forth throughout the game, and once again, it would all come down to late in the fourth quarter before we knew the winning team.
If you like lots of offensive scoring and watching both teams leave everything on the field from beginning to end, then look no further than this instant classic on Classic GameTime.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Central vs Denham Springs (Louisiana)
Original game played: October 26, 2018
Scheduled air date: August 1, 2019
It was the 71st Battle Line Rivalry game between the Central Wildcats and the Denham Springs Yellow Jackets in Louisiana’s GameTime game of the week and it was a good one.
Coming into the week with records of 4-4 (Central) and 4-5 (Denham Springs), along with two games remaining for each program, only the winner of this contest would have a shot at an above .500 regular-season record. That means this matchup could also be a must-win to make the postseason for both teams.
Central started strong and took a 21-14 lead at the half. Would it be enough? Not in high school football because this one went down to the wire and included 962 total yards including 370 rushing yards. Find out which team kept their playoff hopes alive following this Classic Gametime matchup from 2018.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Chaparral vs Saguaro (Arizona)
Original game played: September 14, 2018
Scheduled air date: August 8, 2019
A historic Arizona rivalry was renewed when the Saguaro Sabercats took on the Chaparral Firebirds. This was the 39th time the two powerhouse programs went head to head.
This game featured over a dozen potential Division I athletes, including some of the best in the country. Led by QB Jack Miller (Ohio State commit) and Darvon Hubbard (San Diego St. commit), Chaparral came into the game undefeated at 3-0. Facing the 4A Conference favorite Sabercats on the road would be a great test for the Firebirds.
Coming into the game, Saguaro looked every bit the part of state champion once again. Since 2013, Saguaro owns a 68-6 record, including a 3-1 mark. They lost their second game against Liberty (NV) but defeated their two Arizona opponents this season by an average of 38 points.
As you can imagine, with so many great athletes on both teams, the game did not disappoint. Chapparel struck early and led 14-0 but a tough and resilient Sabercat team came storming back with three TD’s in the second quarter.
Both teams combined for 8 touchdowns in the first half, but the second half proved more of a defensive struggle. Which team would outlast the other down the stretch? Find out as we revisit this exciting game between two of Arizona’s top high school football programs.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
Midwest City (Oklahoma) vs Bentonville (Arkansas)
Original game played: August 25, 2018
Scheduled air date: August 15, 2019
The “Rumble in the Ozarks” featured the Bombers of Midwest City, OK traveling east to take on the Tigers of Bentonville, AR. It was the opening game of the season for both teams and provided lots of fireworks in the scoring column.
The home team Bentonville scored first and took an early lead into the third quarter. However, after four quarters and 50 points, this one would be decided in overtime.
Would it be the visitors from Midwest City, Oklahoma or the home team from Bentonville, Arkansas? You don’t want to miss this early season nail biter.
You can also watch a replay of this game on yurview.com.
