The 2026 New Brunswick high school football season kicked off in style this weekend, with several contenders making early statements across the province. From offensive explosions to defensive battles and even a rare tie, Week 1 delivered plenty of storylines as teams began their quest for championship glory.
Harrison Trimble, Moncton and L’Odyssee Start Fast in 12AAA East
The Harrison Trimble Trojans wasted no time announcing themselves as a team to watch, rolling to a convincing 42-7 victory over the Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders on Friday night at McKenna Field. The Moncton Purple Knights opened their season with a hard-fought 10-3 win over the Mathieu-Martin Matadors, showcasing a strong defensive effort in a game where points were at a premium.
Meanwhile, the L’Odyssee Olympiens shut out the Tantramar Regional Titans 22-0, earning the division’s first clean sheet of the season and positioning themselves near the top of the early standings.
The Riverview Royals were idle in Week 1 and will look to make their season debut next weekend.
Powerhouses Emerge in 12AAA South West
Two familiar contenders wasted little time putting the rest of the province on notice.
The Saint John Greyhounds opened with a dominant 41-7 road win over the Kennebecasis Valley Blue Knights, delivering one of the weekend’s most impressive performances.
The Leo Hayes Lions posted the highest point total of Week 1, overwhelming the Oromocto Blues 53-0. The Lions were firing on all cylinders as they opened the season with a decisive victory.
The most competitive game in the division belonged to the St. Malachy’s Memorial Saints, who held off the Fredericton Black Kats 23-16 at Canada Games Stadium. The seven-point margin was the closest contest in either AAA division and could prove to be an important result as teams jockey for playoff positioning later in the season.
Exciting Start to the 9-Man Season
The 9-Man division delivered plenty of offence and one dramatic draw.
The defending conference powers wasted no time getting started as the James M. Hill Tommies defeated the Simonds Seabees 44-9 in Miramichi.
The Harbour View Vikings earned a strong opening-week win, topping the École Louis-J.-Robichaud Patriotes 41-19 in Saint John.
In St. Stephen, the Rothesay Redhawks escaped with a hard-earned 27-20 victory over the St. Stephen Spartans in one of the weekend’s most competitive matchups.
The most unusual result of Week 1 came in Fredericton, where the Hampton Huskies and École Sainte-Anne Castors battled to a 21-21 draw, leaving both teams with a point in the standings and providing an early reminder that every point could matter as the season progresses.
Looking Ahead
Week 1 offered a first glimpse at the early pecking order, with Leo Hayes, Saint John, Harrison Trimble, and L’Odyssee all opening with impressive victories. At the same time, close contests involving St. Malachy’s, Fredericton, Rothesay, and St. Stephen suggest there will be little room for error as teams settle into the regular season.
If the opening weekend was any indication, fans across New Brunswick are in for another exciting season of high school football.
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