After winning their first 11 games of 2024, Grand Saline is primed and ready for a repeat run with seven starters returning on both sides of the ball. QB Jett Taylor is among the most productive players in the state, but the key for the Indians will be improvement on defense. Edgewood is another team that could be ready to break out with 17 starters back from an area-round playoff squad. Lone Oak and Harmony should be the last two playoff teams, but expect the entire district, top to bottom, to be improved.
DeKalb was a surprise district champion a year ago and after a regional semifinal run, the Bears get the edge again over a young but talented Daingerfield bunch. The real battle will be along Highway 82 with Hooks and New Boston locked in a battle for third. Redwater and Hughes Springs expect to be improved, but likely not ready for playoff contention.
If you want a team to dream on in Region III, Troup could be that squad. The Tigers are loaded coming off an 8-4 year with nine starters back on both sides of the ball. This is a team that has a legit shot of getting out of Region III. Last year’s district champion, New Diana, has a new coach and must replace 17 starters, but they have "that guy" in QB DeJuan Johnson, who tallied 51 touchdowns a year ago. Arp and West Rusk should also both be improved.
Newton was the king of 12-3A Division II last year, but it was Woodville who had the last laugh getting all the way to the state title game a year ago. NHS returns one of the state’s top running backs, but the defense, which brings eight starters back, has to improve as it were exposed in the playoff loss. Woodville has a new coach, but still has talented junior QB Luke Babin, who should thrive in the new offense. Anderson-Shiro has shown to be a consistent playoff team, but can the Owls break through and get a playoff win?
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 9-3A Division II
- Grand Saline
- Edgewood
- Lone Oak
- Gilmer Harmony
- Quitman
- Paris Chisum
- Prairiland
District 10-3A Division II
- DeKalb
- Daingerfield
- New Boston
- Hooks
- Redwater
- Hughes Springs
- Queen City
District 11-3A Division II
- Troup
- New Diana
- Arp
- West Rusk
- Buffalo
- Elkhart
- Winona
District 12-3A Division II
- Newton
- Woodville
- Anderson-Shiro
- New Waverly
- Trinity
- Kountze
- Warren
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W9 Grand Saline vs F10 Hooks
R12 Woodville vs T11 Arp
W10 DeKalb vs F9 Gilmer Harmony
R11 New Diana vs T12 Anderson-Shiro
W11 Troup vs F12 New Waverly
R10 Daingerfield vs T9 Lone Oak
W12 Newton vs F11 West Rusk
R9 Edgewood vs T10 New Boston
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Troup over Woodville
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