Orangefield went unblemished through 10-3A Division I a year ago, and the Bobcats get the edge as the favorites - barely. Hardin, which nearly stunned Westwood in the first round of the playoffs, brings back 19 starters and is poised to do damage. Perennial playoff team East Chambers will be in contention, while Coldspring holds off Anahuac, which lost their star QB to a transfer this offseason.
Perennial powerhouse Franklin is one of many in the elite of 3A-Division I that have questions to answer going into 2025. However, the Lions have pedigree, good depth for a school their size and an identity they believe in. Little River-Academy could be one of the real surprise teams in 2025; the Bumblebees bring back the house. The race for the final two playoff spots will be quite jumbled.
Defending state champion Columbus has some major holes to fill. Replacing four FBS signees for a 3A program is tough, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Columbus has a P4 recruit at WR and all five returning starters on the offensive line; defense is where most of the Cardinals' questions will be in 2025. Yoakum is the real sleeper in the region. After going three deep last year, the Bulldogs return 16 starters. Hitchcock lost a stellar senior class and was the lone team to beat Columbus a year ago, but they expect to take a step back, especially on offense.
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 9-3A Division I
District 10-3A Division I
District 11-3A Division I
District 12-3A Division I
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W9 Palestine Westwood vs F10 Coldspring
R12 Yoakum vs T11 Troy
W10 Orangefield vs F9 Diboll
R11 Little River-Academy vs T12 Hitchcock
W11 Franklin vs F12 Hallettsville
R10 Hardin vs T9 Teague
W12 Columbus vs F11 Cameron Yoe
R9 Fairfield vs T10 East Chambers
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Franklin over Yoakum
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