North Jersey public school will open 2026 football season in Texas
After games in Utah, Florida, Kansas City and Las Vegas, North Jersey's most-traveled public school will venture to West Texas in 2026.
Wayne Hills will become the first North Jersey public school to play in Texas when it opens the 2026 season against Midland Christian on Friday, Aug. 28. “Any time you get a chance to expose kids to different parts of the country and different states it’s beneficial,” Patriots coach Wayne Demikoff said.
“In West Texas, we know football is a big deal. We think it’s great exposure for our kids and our families, as well. ” The Wayne Board of Education approved the game and the trip on March 19.
The trip is financed by fundraising provided by the team and booster club. Don Bosco became the first New Jersey team to ever play a game in Texas in 2025 when it rallied to beat Melissa, 14-10. Demikoff said the team will fly in to Dallas, then take a second flight to Midland for the game since Dallas to Midland is a five-hour trip by car.
The two programs will also play each other in a JV game. School does not begin for Wayne Hills until the following week. “I am fortunate we have a great administration, from the superintendent to the principal to the athletic director, they are all supportive and in this for the kids,” Demikoff said.