Friday’s game against Bartlett is the first of several tough tests for the Owls.

Returning talent, plus some good-looking transfers, has Gene Robinson’s squad looking formidable as the season begins.

Some interesting public vs. private school match-ups on the docket as high school football returns for 2023.

Houston and Briarcrest, 2022 state runners-up in their respective divisions, are just part of what should be a very competitive season on the pitch.

A core group of college-bound seniors should serve the Dragons well in the ultra-competitive Region 8-6A.

A faster defense, a talented transfer quarterback and the quicker-than-expected return of Kumaro Brown have the Phoenix poised for another deep run.

In 1993, Ford guided Fairley to the Class AAA state championship with one of the most dominating teams ever seen in Shelby County.

Daily Memphian player of the year returns for Collierville but there’s plenty of other talent around town as well.

With a more competitive schedule, a Mr. Football finalist back on board and plenty of other talent, Bulldogs look to be “battle-tested” come November.

The best player in school history has graduated, but the returning Knights are looking to “run their own race.”

Related story:

2023 week-by-week high school football schedules

First Friday of the season is Aug. 18.

Several Olympians are scheduled to compete in this year’s event, which will have a new twist Saturday on Beale.

For yet another time this summer, Memphis was the center of the youth basketball universe.

This year’s event takes place at Cordova High, Kirby High and Whitehaven High eight days before the season begins.

Talented transfers augment quality returnees as Golden Wildcats look for continued growth in Derrick Bobo’s second year.

A new region home — along with a new head coach and some talented returnees — brings renewed optimism to the program.

Marvis Davis, who coached Lausanne’s basketball team to five state tournament appearances, is leaving the Lynx to take over as athletic director for the Germantown Municipal School District.

The Briarcrest Christian School product once played pee-wee ball for the Whitehaven Cowboys.

Numbers and accolades tell just a small part of the story about the former Central star, who died last week.

A month after Memphis University School football star Dion Stutts died, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman puts loss in perspective.

Former principal Tim Jones is moving to the district’s central office as executive director of athletics and school support. Vice Principal Christopher Maley will be the new principal.

The former Briarcrest Christian School coach rose to the job at Ole Miss, found trouble and is now back in the SEC coaching Auburn.

After four stellar seasons in Haywood County, Smith takes over a program with high expectations. But lower mileage.

Danielle Ballard, who starred for Central High’s state title team in 2011 before going on to a standout career at LSU, has died.

The school recently announced that Cayce Densford, a longtime fixture in the athletic department, will have a new role.