The Taylor Ducks varsity football team will open the 2026 season against a familiar opponent when it takes on former district foe Eastside Early College on Friday, Aug. 28, at House Park in Austin at 7:30 p.m. The Ducks will look to repeat last season's result, when Taylor dominated the Panthers 46-12 in Week 8. "We look forward to this Friday to see if we can be consistent in all phases of the game for 48 minutes. Eastside is a familiar opponent and was a playoff team last year. This will be a good week one test," said Taylor Head Coach and Athletic Director Earven Flowers.

Taylor returns several players from that matchup, including junior quarterback Johnny Guzman, senior running back Eric Walker and sophomore wide receiver Elijah Afenkhena.

Guzman will have some extra motivation heading into the opener after leaving last year's game in the first half with an apparent ankle injury and not returning.