Saucon Valley has many of its starters returning in 2026, but lost standout wide receiver Thomas Cahill who moved with his family including father, former Lehigh head coach Kevin Cahill who took the head football coaching job at Yale.
The Panthers also have the Colonial League’s only first-year head coach when assistant Mason Stewart was promoted in mid-July after Anthony Brinkley stepped down to take an administrative job in the Allentown School District.
The Colonial League is in the midst of its best stretch in history with a PIAA finalist in each of its last three seasons and a state champion the last two years.
Northwestern Lehigh, which has reached the last three Class 3A state finals, and 2025 4A state champion Southern Lehigh again will be among the Colonial League’s best teams.
But Northern Lehigh is expected to vie for its first district title since 2022, Palmerton and Saucon Valley should be better. Lehighton should be formidable. And, Notre Dame-Green Pond should again be a postseason contender.
Here is a look at some of the games to watch during the regular season:
Colonial League football’s 10 games to watch in 2026
(in chronological order; at 7 p.m. unless noted)
1. Wilson at Catasauqua (Week 1: Friday, Aug. 28): The Warriors ended a lengthy losing streak to close out the 2025 season. Coach Jim Brady’s bunch look to start a winning skein in the opener.
2. Northern Lehigh at Northwestern Lehigh (Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:10): The Tigers have won the last eight meetings but the Bulldogs still own a 29-27 all-time edge.
Northwestern Lehigh will host Northern Lehigh on Thursday, Sept. 3. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
3. Notre Dame-GP at North Schuylkill (Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 3): These teams don’t like each other and have played some memorable games in the last decade. Even though Spartans coach Wally Hall has stepped down, this meeting will still have the intensity to match the talent.
4. Palisades at Palmerton (Week 3: Friday, Sept. 11): The Blue Bombers expect to be a much-improved team. Taking care of business here against a Pirates team with one of District 11’s most talented players will show them where they stand.
5. Saucon Valley at Northwestern Lehigh (Week 5: Friday, Sept. 25): The Panthers want to move up into the league’s upper echelon. This game will go a long way in determining that.
6. Southern Lehigh at Saucon Valley (Week 6: Friday, Oct. 2): The Spartans have won the last five meetings by an average of more than 31 points per game in this rivalry matchup.
7. Southern Lehigh at Notre Dame-GP (Week 8: Friday, Oct. 16): Two of District 11’s top teams in a late-season matchup will be a good postseason indicator for both clubs.
Phil Sams and his Southern Lehigh Spartans will meet the Northwestern Lehigh Tigers on Friday, Oct. 23 at Southern Lehigh. (Amy Shortell/The Morning Call)
8. Northwestern Lehigh at Southern Lehigh (Week 9: Friday, Oct. 23): The Tigers have won the last six meetings, but three of them were stellar games that went down to the wire.
9. Notre Dame-GP vs. Wilson at Easton (Week 10: Saturday, Oct. 31, noon): The Crusaders have taken the last four meetings by a combined 208-19 score. The Warriors would love to have a chance to win entering the fourth quarter.
10. Bangor at Pen Argyl (Week 10: Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 p.m.): Another Slate Belt rivalry game that will pack the stands regardless of the records.
Senior writer Tom Housenick can be reached at thousenick@mcall.com
Lehigh Valley high school football 2026: Where to find all our season preview coverage