Crandall’s 2026 schedule includes two Class 6A opponents, a 12-win Terrell team and a new District 7-5A Division I race featuring West Mesquite and Tyler.
Not every game presents the same challenge. Based on 2025 performance, returning personnel, preseason projections ,and coaching changes, here’s a preseason ranking of Crandall’s 10 opponents, toughest to most favorable.
1. Terrell (12-1)
Terrell earns the top spot after winning 12 games, going undefeated in district play and reaching the regional semifinals.
Running back Julian Ashley returns after a monster sophomore season that included 1,466 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, and 26 total touchdowns. The eye-opening production earned him District 6-5A Division II MVP honors.
Quarterback Nolan Hall also returns after throwing for 1,391 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Tigers do have real rebuilding to do, having lost their entire starting offensive line and several defensive standouts. Crandall hosts the rematch Sept. 11 after last year’s 50-point loss.
Difficulty: Very High
2. West Mesquite (11-2)
West Mesquite stands as the biggest obstacle between Crandall and a district championship.
The Wranglers bring back the best record among Crandall’s district opponents and a genuinely loaded backfield — Damarian Robinson rushed for 1,473 yards and 17 touchdowns, while dual-threat quarterback Jaylen Dotson added 1,195 passing yards and 19 more scores through the air.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football projects West Mesquite first in District 7-5A Division I; the Dallas Morning News has the Wranglers second. Crandall has to make this trip on the road.
Difficulty: Very High
3. Rowlett (6-5)
Rowlett’s overall record undersells the threat here. The Eagles finished 6-2 in district play and reached the Class 6A playoffs behind quarterback Sam Loera, who threw for 2,428 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding nine more scores on the ground.
Rowlett also returns several receivers and much of last year’s defense. Crandall visits Rowlett on Sept. 3, just six days after its own season opener.
Difficulty: High
4. Tyler (4-7)
Tyler ranks this high on potential rather than last year’s record. The Lions return an Oregon-committed running back in CaDarius McMiller, who rushed for roughly 940 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, and an SMU-committed receiver in Trey Haralson.
The Dallas Morning News has made Tyler its preseason pick to win the district outright, while Dave Campbell’s also places the Lions among the top three. The biggest question is quarterback, following the graduation of Caden Granberry. Crandall travels to Tyler on Oct. 16.
Difficulty: High
5. North Mesquite (5-6)
North Mesquite reached the playoffs last season and should be right back in the postseason conversation, projected fourth by the Dallas Morning News and fifth by Dave Campbell’s.
The Stallions bring back a genuine two-back attack — Terrence Collins rushed for 1,022 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Julien Simpson added 839 yards and 15 more scores. Crandall hosts North Mesquite at home immediately after its bye week.
Difficulty: Moderate-High
6. Denton Braswell (2-8)
Braswell’s record deserves the least trust of any team on this schedule. The Class 6A Bengals return a large group of experienced players and hired Justen Evans, a head coach with a track record of turning programs around quickly.
Running back Zahir Trufant returns after rushing for 627 yards and eight touchdowns, and the defense brings back several contributors as well. Crandall opens the season on the road against Braswell.
Difficulty: Moderate-High
7. Mesquite (1-9)
Mesquite won only once last season, but preseason projections expect real improvement — Dave Campbell’s even has the Skeeters inside its projected playoff field.
Quarterback Jaiden Clayton gives Mesquite a dual-threat option, throwing for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns while adding three more scores on the ground.
A combination of low expectations and preseason buzz makes Mesquite one of the harder opponents to judge from record alone. Crandall hosts the Skeeters on Oct. 23.
Difficulty: Moderate
8. W.T. White (5-5)
W.T. White is projected sixth in the district by both major outlets, but the Longhorns shouldn’t be overlooked.
Quarterback Andrew Paredez threw for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns last season, while Ben Ebeke complemented him with 1,528 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns of his own.
Crandall gets this matchup at home in the regular-season finale, and if the Pirates are chasing a top seed, it’s a game they can’t afford to drop.
Difficulty: Moderate
9. Sunset (4-6)
Sunset is projected near the bottom of the district, but Crandall opens district play on the road here Sept. 17, and slow starts against lesser opponents have derailed plenty of contenders before.
Quarterback Shia-Mikel Valerio ran Sunset’s offense last season, throwing for just over 1,000 yards. Still, this is a game Crandall should control if it plans to compete for first place.
Difficulty: Favorable
10. Bryan Adams (2-8)
Bryan Adams enters 2026 at the bottom of the preseason district projections, and Crandall should hold clear advantages in both returning production and overall expectations.
Receiver Greg Nash Jr. was the Cougars’ most dangerous weapon last season, catching seven touchdowns, but Crandall gets this matchup at Pirate Stadium and enters as a heavy favorite. This is the most favorable game on the Pirates’ schedule.
Difficulty: Favorable
Schedule Difficulty at a Glance
| Rank | Opponent | 2025 Record | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terrell | 12-1 | Very High |
| 2 | West Mesquite | 11-2 | Very High |
| 3 | Rowlett | 6-5 | High |
| 4 | Tyler | 4-7 | High |
| 5 | North Mesquite | 5-6 | Moderate-High |
| 6 | Denton Braswell | 2-8 | Moderate-High |
| 7 | Mesquite | 1-9 | Moderate |
| 8 | W.T. White | 5-5 | Moderate |
| 9 | Sunset | 4-6 | Favorable |
| 10 | Bryan Adams | 2-8 | Favorable |
The Bottom Line
Crandall’s schedule is heaviest at the start and again in late October. The Pirates face Braswell, Rowlett and Terrell before district play even begins, then later travel to both Tyler and West Mesquite.
Those five games will provide the clearest measure of how Crandall stacks up against genuine competition. The rest of the schedule matters for a different reason.
A team with championship aspirations can’t afford to give away a game it’s supposed to win. Crandall’s toughest opponents will determine its ceiling. How it handles everyone else will determine whether the Pirates are still in position to reach it.
