Mark your calendars: Here are the 10 must-see football games in District 10 this season

District 10 is loaded with rivalries throughout several counties, giving football fans plenty of intense games to choose from each week of the season.

Some rivalries take on a whole new meaning and some regular-season matchups are for more than just bragging rights or region titles.

With the season just around the corner, here are 10 can't-miss football games in District 10 this season.

Cathedral Prep vs. McDowell

1. Cathedral Prep at McDowell, Sept. 29: The granddaddy of them all. Is there any doubt this rivalry game would be the top game of the season on the list? The Prep-McDowell game consistently draws the biggest crowd of the year with two large student sections and many football fans in Erie. The winner gets bragging rights, normally the region title, and uses the win during their basketball showdowns to taunt the other team. The game also seems to take on even more meaning when it's played at Gus Anderson Field as there have been terrific finishes there over the past few decades.

Cathedral Prep vs. Farrell

2. Cathedral Prep at Farrell, Oct. 27: Prep and Farrell are traditionally two of the last teams left in the PIAA playoffs from District 10 each season. The two have a long history of playing for state championships and winning them as well. Fans from both Erie and Mercer County have wondered over the years what would happen if the two teams played? Would Farrell's speed be too much for Prep? Would Prep's size and depth be too much for Farrell? Prep leads the all-time series 2-1, but the two teams haven't played each other since a 21-6 Prep win in 1982. Before that, the two teams met in 1946 (12-6 Prep win) and 1939 (7-6 Farrell win). It could be a great matchup, but the downside is the game being in Week 10. Hopefully, both teams go all out instead of holding back with the playoffs looming in the following weeks.

Sharon vs. Farrell

3. Sharon at Farrell, Oct. 14: The Steel Bowl is one of the longest and most tension-filled rivalries in District 10 history. There was a recent eight-year stretch where the game wasn't played for various reasons, but it's back as the Steelers and Tigers are in the same region in the current two-year cycle. The rivalry goes back to 1922 when Sharon beat Farrell 20-6. Farrell marched into Tiger Stadium and won 42-14 last fall, which gives Sharon plenty of incentive to return the favor this year. With Sharon on the rise, this game could be crucial not only in the Region 3 race but for playoff position in two different classes as well. Another thing to add to the hype of this game? It is being played on a Saturday night, which could boost the already big crowd expected at the game.

Grove City vs. Slippery Rock

4. Grove City at Slippery Rock, Sept. 22: The two rivals are less than 10 miles apart and have a long history of playing intense games. The Eagles pulled out a 22-21 thriller last year during the regular season before routing the Rockets 42-23 in the District 10 Class 3A championship game. Grove City and Slippery Rock have rosters full of multisport athletes and the rivalry carries over into everything they play, which adds to the intensity of the annual football game. Both teams return as region and district contenders this fall.

Oil City vs. Meadville

5. Oil City at Meadville, Sept. 30: The Oilers and the Bulldogs have been two of the more successful teams in District 10 in recent history. The two have used record-breaking rushing attacks to rack up wins and they could meet a second time in the District 10 Class 4A championship game. The Oilers have one of the top running backs in the state back this fall in Ethen Knox, while the Bulldogs will look for new rushers to step up with the graduation of Khalon Simmons. Both coaches have punishing, stop-us-if-you-can philosophies when it comes to running the ball, and this game could come down to who plays the most physical football.

Butler vs. McDowell

6. Butler at McDowell, Oct. 20: After years of fighting over the status of Butler, there is finally a resolution. The Golden Tornado will be in District 10 this fall and be eligible to compete for a D-10 title, but it'll be the final year as Butler returns to the WPIAL next year. Butler and McDowell have played some intense games in region play and for the D-10 Class 6A championship. Erie is looking to improve this year, but until the Royals can win a big game, it'll likely be Butler-McDowell one more time for a D-10 title before the Tornado moves on. This region game could get interesting if the Trojans beat Prep earlier in the season and take control of the region.

Fort LeBoeuf vs. General McLane

7. Fort LeBoeuf at General McLane, Sept. 1: The Bison and the Lancers have a longstanding rivalry as two of the top programs in Erie County. The two look like strong region contenders with solid rushing attacks and proud defenses. The two are rivals in every sport, but it all starts with football to set the tone for the rest of the school year. The game is set for Week 2 this season, giving the winner an early spot in the driver's seat in the region.

Oil City vs. Franklin

8. Oil City at Franklin: Sept. 16: It doesn't matter if the two teams are even or if one is struggling compared to the other, this game brings out all of Venango County. It carries over into basketball season as well as each meeting is a sellout every season. The Oilers and Knights meet on a Saturday night with eyes from District 10 on the game. It'll be a chance to see how much growing up the young Franklin team did the last few years and one of the last chances to see superstar running back Ethen Knox suit up for the Oilers. Knox could be chasing down the District 10 career rushing record this week, adding even more intrigue to the rivalry game.

North East vs. Fairview

9. North East at Fairview, Oct. 21: On a rare Saturday slate full of four games, this game sticks out in Week 9. The two played a game with an odd but memorable ending as North East took a knee inside its own 20-yard line on fourth down with just seconds left. Fairview took advantage and kicked a field goal on the next play to earn a walk-off win. The loss was devastating for a young North East team looking to get on track and the unexpected win helped put Fairview in the playoffs. There was plenty of smack talk before, during and after the game, leading up to a much-anticipated rematch this fall.

Mercyhurst Prep vs. Seneca

10. Mercyhurst Prep at Seneca, Sept. 8: The Lakers and the Bobcats played one of the more thrilling regular-season games last fall. The game at Mercyhurst University went to overtime and came down to Mercyhurst Prep making a defensive stop on a 2-point conversion. The Lakers and the Bobcats are both on the rise as they look to contend for the D-10 Class 2A title. Mercyhurst Prep was minutes from an upset of Sharpsville in the D-10 semifinals last fall. Both teams had some tough graduation losses, but after how last year's game ended, both are looking for another big win early in the season.

Schedules: Plan ahead for the 2023 District 10 football season with all 39 teams' schedules

Contact Tom Reisenweber at treisenweber@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNreisenweber

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 10 football games that can't be missed in District 10 in 2023