(CBS 58) — The lights are back on, the bands are back in the stands and high school football has officially returned to Wisconsin.

The 2026 season kicked off Thursday night with a full slate of games across the state, including nine matchups featuring teams from the greater Milwaukee area. From offensive outbursts to defensive battles and a few noteworthy Week 1 results, the opening night offered an early glimpse at what could be ahead this fall.

CBS 58 Under the Lights will follow the action throughout the season, highlighting Thursday and Friday night games, notable performances and the teams making noise across southeastern Wisconsin.

Thursday's action began with plenty of offense between Racine Horlick and Milwaukee Pulaski. Both teams found ways to put points on the board, but Horlick ultimately created enough separation to earn a 45-30 victory and open its season at 1-0.

One of the night's lowest-scoring games came between Mukwonago and Appleton North. Mukwonago entered the year with high expectations, but Appleton North's defense helped spoil the opener as the Lightning escaped with a 10-7 victory.

There was considerably more scoring in Pewaukee, where the Pirates wasted little time making an opening-week statement. Pewaukee rolled past Greendale 42-7 to begin its season with a convincing victory.

Sussex Hamilton also delivered one of the area's more notable performances Thursday night, knocking off Kimberly 27-12 in a highly anticipated matchup. The Chargers struck for three touchdowns of at least 30 yards on their way to a 1-0 start.

West Allis Central and St. Thomas More provided one of the closest finishes of the evening. The Bulldogs came out on top in a back-and-forth 34-27 contest, handing the Cavaliers an opening-night loss.

Kenosha St. Joseph earned a 20-7 victory over Shoreland Lutheran, while Lourdes Academy defeated Living Word Lutheran 45-14.

It was a difficult opening night for Milwaukee Hamilton, which fell 49-0 against Madison West.

Catholic Central/Kenosha Christian Life also ran into a tough opponent in Randolph/Cambria-Friesland, falling 56-8.

The action extended well beyond southeastern Wisconsin.

West De Pere opened its season with an impressive offensive performance in a 42-20 victory over Sun Prairie East. Quarterback Andrew Greisen threw five touchdown passes to lead the Phantoms.

Osceola picked up a 35-20 victory over Columbus, while Chilton defeated Crivitz 21-13.

Bay Port produced one of the largest point totals of opening night, with the Pirates cruising past Middleton 56-15.

Stevens Point also started the season in the win column, defeating River Falls 41-18.

And Thursday was only the beginning.

A packed Friday night schedule will bring dozens more teams onto the field, with CBS 58 heading across the area to cover several of the night's biggest matchups.

Marquette will open its season against Arrowhead in a matchup between two of southeastern Wisconsin's recognizable programs, while West Bend East takes on Waukesha South.

Farther north, Sheboygan North will meet Port Washington.

Homestead and Germantown will square off with both programs looking to leave Week 1 unbeaten, while Franklin begins another season with high expectations against Racine Case.

Cedarburg will take on Racine Park, and Brookfield Academy will face St. Francis.

Another matchup to watch will take place in Muskego, where Waunakee travels south to face the Warriors in one of Friday night's intriguing nonconference showdowns.

CBS 58 will have coverage from each of those games, with highlights, scores and another edition of CBS 58 Under the Lights following Friday night's action.

Thursday's final scores:

• Racine Horlick 45, Milwaukee Pulaski 30
• Appleton North 10, Mukwonago 7
• Randolph/Cambria-Friesland 56, Catholic Central/Kenosha Christian Life 8
• Pewaukee 42, Greendale 7
• Madison West 49, Milwaukee Hamilton 0
• Sussex Hamilton 27, Kimberly 12
• Kenosha St. Joseph 20, Shoreland Lutheran 7
• Lourdes Academy 45, Living Word Lutheran 14
• West Allis Central 34, St. Thomas More 27
• West De Pere 42, Sun Prairie East 20
• Osceola 35, Columbus 20
• Chilton 21, Crivitz 13
• Bay Port 56, Middleton 15
• Stevens Point 41, River Falls 18

Welcome back, Wisconsin high school football.

The lights are on again.