High school football is back in Tipton County, and for Munford High School’s Class of 2027, tonight marks the start of a defining final chapter.
The Cougars open their 2026 campaign tonight with a Thursday night kickoff against Memphis Business Academy. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Munford High School Football Stadium. Head coach Slade Calhoun’s squad carries high expectations and is led by a senior core that has built one of the most consistent winning cultures in West Tennessee.
A legacy of excellence
Since entering high school in the fall of 2023, this senior group has compiled a 27-7 overall record (.794) and a 12-2 mark in league play:
- 2023 (Freshman Year, 8-3): Earned a Class 5A postseason berth before falling to Hendersonville 41-34 in the opening round.
- 2024 (Sophomore Year, 9-2): Swept the region with a perfect 5-0 record to capture the district championship before a narrow 32-29 playoff exit against Springfield.
- 2025 (Junior Year, 10-2): Opened the season with nine straight wins, crushed Kenwood 60-14 in the first round of the playoffs, then fell to perennial power Beech, 33-30, in a second-round thriller.
Across three seasons, this senior group has never won fewer than eight games in a year. Yet, having seen all three of their high school playoff eliminations decided by a single possession combined margin of just 13 points, this senior class enters 2026 with unfinished business and state-title aspirations.
Setting the standard in Week 1
Tonight marks the second straight year Munford opens against MBA. In the 2025 opener, the Cougars’ physical ground game overwhelmed the Execs in a 62-20 runaway.
Behind a veteran offensive line and Calhoun’s downhill attack, the Cougars will look to control the line of scrimmage, manage the clock, and set an authoritative physical standard early.
On paper, Munford is the heavy favorite.
Game details
- Matchup: Memphis Business Academy Execs at Munford Cougars
- When: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at 7 p.m.
- Where: Munford High School Football Stadium (1080 McLaughlin Drive, Munford, Tenn.)
- On Deck: Munford stays home Friday, Aug. 28, to host rival Millington Central in the annual M&M Bowl.
Three keys for the Cougars tonight
- Establish the Trench Identity: Munford’s front must control the line from the opening drive, dictating the tempo and wearing down MBA’s defensive front.
- Contain Perimeter Speed: MBA thrives on athletic playmakers in space. Munford’s linebackers and secondary must maintain outside leverage and prevent broken tackles from becoming long-distance touchdowns.
- Clean Execution: Week 1 games are often won or lost on ball security and pre-snap discipline. Playing mistake-free football will allow the Cougars to build an early cushion and give younger rotational players early varsity experience.
