PORT ARTHUR — The season is about to start and there are plenty of exciting games kicking off in Week Zero. But, if we look past that a bit, there are plenty of huge matchups looming on the 2012 schedule. Which games stand out right now? Which ones have the makings on paper of being instant classics? Let’s take a look:

1) Nederland at Port Neches-Groves, Oct. 19 - Every year, Mid-County Madness would top this list. But, in a season when it could be pitting the top two teams in District 20-4A against each other with three games to play on the district schedule? The stakes go up just a bit.

This game may not have the pomp of the celebration for Bum Phillips that last year’s did, but there will be plenty on the line. That close to the end of the line, playoff possibilities will be rampant and whoever comes out on top of this one could ride a big wave of momentum all the way into the playoffs.

2) La Porte at Port Arthur Memorial, Nov. 9 - If it weren’t for Mid-County Madness, this one would top my list. These two teams played two absolutely emotion-packed games last year and return plenty of players who will remember that.

The teams split their 2011 meetings, which was a huge boost for a Memorial squad who hasn’t had a ton of success against La Porte in the past. This year, they’ll get to change that trend in the regular season on their home turf.

Adding to the possibilities here is that the game will be on the last week of the season. It’s not a stretch to think these two could come into this one tied for the district lead, leaving the title on the line for a second straight year.

Now, let’s hope those pesky other nine games on each team’s schedule don’t get in the way...

3) Nederland at Vidor, Sept. 28 - Most preseason prognosticators will have these two squads as the toast of 20-4A. That makes their early-season meeting all the more interesting.

These two teams will kick off their district schedules against each other this time around and it shouldn’t disappoint. Both squads have a healthy number of returning starters on both sides of the ball, play terrific defense and love to pound the ball in the running game.

That means this one could be an old-fashioned slugfest with the first team to two touchdowns winning. It’ll also be a good early-season test for Nederland to go on the road and play a tough district opponent.

4) West Orange-Stark at Port Neches-Groves, Sept. 7 - Last year, WO-S played a 20-4A team in one of the year’s most exciting finishes that just happened to occur in Week Zero. This time, they move the date back a week and switch teams, but that doesn’t mean the Hyphenate Bowl won’t be just as good this year.

The Mustangs bring an experienced quarterback and good defense to the Reservation in what should be a pretty explosive offensive game. It’ll also be a good early test for some of the young Indians players, including senior quarterback A.J. Smith, who should be starting his second career game at the time.

The Indians secondary could also establish itself in this one, but expect the Mustang defenders to do a very good job covering up big Indians wideout Logan Chipman. In short, it could be 35-31 or it could be 17-14. Maybe it’ll even be decided on a two-point conversion again this time around.

5) Port Arthur Memorial at Deer Park, Sept. 28 - That’s right, two of the top games this season could be happening on the same weekend. The reason this game stood out on Memorial’s schedule is it’s not only the Titans’ District 21-5A opener, it’s also on the road.

Memorial brings a young, yet experienced team to the table in 2012. They’ve got plenty of players who went on the road quite a bit in the 2011 playoffs, so travel shouldn’t be a big problem. However, young teams can struggle in big games, and this one could be the biggest on a district schedule full of them for Memorial.

If the Titans can respond in this one against a playoff-caliber Deer squad, it could go a long way towards figuring out this team’s ceiling this year.