As the only 6A programs in all of District 10 high school football, both Erie and McDowell will also be all alone in region six this fall.
The Royals and Trojans, separated by fewer than five miles, began their 2026 crash course for region and district titles when the full pads came on for the start of official practices in the Commonwealth.
Andre Henderson's Erie Royals open the 2026 football season on Saturday, August 29th at 6 pm at home for DuBois while Aaron Slocum's McDowell Trojans meet Mentor (OH.) on the road Friday, August 28th at 7 pm.
The two Erie rivals will meet on September 17th for the first of two guaranteed head to head matchups.
For the first time, this fall, both schools could advance beyond the district championship round should they finish ahead of fellow 6A schools based on a points system and strength of schedule.
In that event, there's the possibility of the two teams meeting for a third time this fall.
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