LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — After an opening week that produced plenty of excitement—and some valuable lessons—three Little Rock School District football programs return to the field Friday night looking to take the next step. Little Rock Southwest, Little Rock Central and Parkview each enter Week 1 with something to prove after dramatically different Week 0 experiences. This week, all three face new opponents and new challenges. Southwest Looks to Bounce Back Against Sheridan The Little Rock Southwest Gryphons enter Friday night's home matchup against Sheridan searching for their first win of the season. Southwest opened the season August 28 against West Helena and fell 41-18. Despite the 23-point margin, the Gryphons showed offensive production in their season opener and will have an opportunity to make adjustments against a Sheridan team that enters the game with plenty of momentum. Sheridan opened its season with an impressive 70-16 victory over White Hall, putting up a huge offensive number in its opener. The Yellowjackets are also listed among the state's higher-ranked teams, making Friday's matchup a significant early-season test for Southwest. The Gryphons will be looking for improvement in all three phases while attempting to turn the lessons from their season opener into a more complete performance. Friday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Little Rock Southwest. Central Turns the Page After High-Scoring Opener For Little Rock Central, Week 1 provides an opportunity to respond after one of the most offensively charged games of opening week. The Tigers opened the season against Sylvan Hills and dropped a 53-34 decision. Central's 34 points demonstrate that the Tigers were capable of moving the football, but the 53 points allowed will be an obvious area of attention as the team prepares for Robinson. Central now travels to face Robinson on Friday night. The Senators also enter the contest at 1-0, giving Central another early test against a team that has already experienced the confidence that comes with a season-opening victory. For the Tigers, the key will be translating the offensive success from Week 0 into a more balanced performance and limiting the explosive plays that proved costly in the opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Robinson. Parkview Enters Week 1 With Momentum The Parkview Patriots are in a different position from their two LRSD counterparts. Parkview opened the season with a 34-26 victory over Pine Bluff, giving the Patriots an early 1-0 record and some momentum heading into Friday night's matchup with North Little Rock. The Patriots will face a significant challenge, however. North Little Rock also enters the game 1-0, having defeated Rogers 34-28 in its season opener. The Charging Wildcats are ranked among the state's top teams and will bring a talented roster to Little Rock. That makes Friday's game one of the more intriguing matchups involving a Little Rock program this week. Parkview has already demonstrated an ability to score points, but the Patriots will need another strong all-around effort against a North Little Rock team coming off a close victory. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Parkview. Three Teams, Three Different Challenges The Week 1 storylines are different for each program. Southwest is trying to rebound from a season-opening loss and establish itself against a Sheridan team that scored 70 points last week. Central is looking to clean up defensively while maintaining the offensive production it showed against Sylvan Hills. Parkview, meanwhile, is attempting to build on its opening-week victory against a North Little Rock squad that also started the season 1-0. With all three games scheduled for Friday night, the next chapter of Little Rock high school football begins with three programs looking to show that Week 0 was only the beginning. Week 1 Matchups Sheridan at Little Rock Southwest — 7 p.m. Central at Robinson — 7 p.m. North Little Rock at Parkview — 7 p.m....

The Little Rock School District (LRSD) is again offering affordable athletic season ticket passes for the 2026-2027 school year including our new family pass for up to 5 family members. To encourage greater student participation and school spirit, LRSD is again offering a Student Season Pass option. Their student ID will serve as their access code. $20 – Middle School Athletics $25 – High School Athletics The Student Season Pass grants entry to all home games at the student’s respective school for the entire school year (excluding tournaments and Arkansas Activities Association playoff events). Students will be required to present their official school ID when using the pass. This measure ensures passes are used only by the student and only for their own school’s home games. Current LRSD Season Pass Options (valid for one person) Family All Sports Pass (5 family members) - $230 Access to all LRSD Middle School and High School games for the school year for your family (up to five members.). All Sports Pass – $75 Access to all LRSD Middle School and High School games for the school year. Football Pass – $30 Entry to all LRSD Middle School and High School Football games. Volleyball Pass – $40 Entry to all LRSD Middle School and High School Volleyball games. Basketball Pass – $45 Entry to all LRSD Middle School and High School Basketball games. Spring Sports Pass – $40 Entry to all LRSD Middle School and High School Spring Sports. Ticket Access Tickets and passes can be purchased online by going to the Gofan.co website and searching for their school. ...

The 2026 LRSD middle school Football season officially kickoffs today, August 25 with four games. This season promises to bring in an another exciting season of competition and school pride as Horace Mann tries to defend their crown as city champions while the other schools attempt to dethrone them as the kings of Little Rock Schools. A rare four game night, features Pulaski Heights vs Pinnacle View at Fair Stadium, Lacey vs Horace Mann at Scott Field, JA Fair vs Mabelvale at Lacey Stadium, and Dunbar vs Forest Heights at Quigley-Cox Stadium (Central). Fans can follow schedules and updates through LRSD Athletics at lrsdathletics.com or on Instagram at mylrsd_athletics. Game tickets can be purchased on gofan.co and searching for the school. Who will be the kings of Little Rock School District!...

The 2026 LRSD middle school volleyball season is officially underway, bringing the eight Little Rock School District middle schools together for another exciting season of competition, teamwork, and school pride. The season features Pulaski Heights, Dunbar, Mabelvale, Lacey Academy, J.A. Fair, Horace Mann, Forest Heights, and Pinnacle View. Opening-night action begins Monday, August 24, with four matchups at 5:30 p.m.: Forest Heights at Pulaski Heights, Dunbar at Pinnacle View, Mabelvale at Lacey Academy, and J.A. Fair at Horace Mann. The second round of games follows Wednesday, August 26, with Pulaski Heights visiting Dunbar, Forest Heights traveling to Mabelvale, Pinnacle View visiting J.A. Fair, and Lacey Academy traveling to Horace Mann. With both 7th- and 8th-grade athletes representing their schools, this season a great one for competition. The season provides an opportunity for young athletes to develop skills, build relationships, compete with pride, and to represent their school and community. Fans can follow their schools' schedule, scores, and updates through LRSD Athletics at lrsdathletics.com or on Instagram at mylrsd_athletics. Game tickets can be purchased on gofan.co and searching for the school. The 2026 LRSD middle school volleyball season is here—let the competition begin as we look to crown the next city champion!...

Volleyball returns on August 20 as two of the Little Rock School District high school programs take part in annual Benefit Week games. Little Rock Central and Southwest competing in benefit matchups. A portion of the ticket sales for benefit games directly support the AAA Catastrophe Insurance Fund. Central travels to Cantrell Road to take on Little Rock Christian Southwest will travel I-40 to I-49 to take on Rogers Heritage High School. Just like football, the focus for benefit games extends beyond the scoreboard. Benefit Week provides an opportunity for coaches and players to work out the kinks before the season begins next week. Good Luck to our schools....

Football returns to the field today as three Little Rock School District programs take part in their annual Benefit Week games. Little Rock Central, Parkview, and Southwest will each compete in benefit matchups, bringing high school football fans together for an evening of competition. A portion of the ticket sales for benefit games directly support the AAA Catastrophe Insurance Fund. At Quigley-Cox Stadium, the LR Central Tigers will host Jonesboro. At War Memorial Stadium, the Parkview Patriots will face LR Catholic. Meanwhile, Southwest will travel to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff to take on Pine Bluff. While the games will feature plenty of football excitement, today's focus extends beyond the scoreboard. Benefit Week provides an opportunity for coaches and players to work out the kinks before the season begins next week. Three games. Three LRSD programs. One evening of football. Good Luck to our schools. Come out, support the teams, and be part of Benefit Week!...