Starting the season with an 0-3 record may seem like a death knell for a lot of programs across the state. But with district play beginning to ramp up, a fresh start and new hope for these teams who have struggled in non-district may be just what the doctor ordered.

Here are the 0-3 teams that I think can still salvage their season and make it into the postseason in November.

Class 6A

Dickinson: After going 13-1 a year ago and being ranked preseason top 10, John Snelson’s ball club had designs on contending for a state title in 2026. However, a combination of being banged up, a brutal non-district slate and a couple of close losses have the Gators staring at the unthinkable, an 0-3 record. The good news is Dickinson’s three opponents have a combined 8-1 record and that one loss came with two of those teams playing each other (Atascocita losing to Katy), so it’s not like the Gators are losing to bad football teams. I expect Dickinson to get healthy and get right in District 18-6A in a hurry. By the middle of October, this slow start will be an aberration and Dickinson will take home the district title and the one-seed come playoff time.

Class 5A-Division I

Crandall: We can’t sugarcoat this one, Crandall’s disappointing start is among the most shocking in the DFW area and the state. Despite moving up to 5A-Division I, the Pirates had the looks of a team that was a real district title threat in 7-5A Division I. The start however has been disaster as Crandall dropped games by eleven points to both Denton Braswell and Rowlett, solid 6A programs, but not elite contenders at that level. The most concerning sign for Crandall was last week’s 55-19 loss to 5A-Division II power Terrell. That’s the bad news, but the good news is there’s time in 7-5A Division I to right the ship as Crandall should be heavily favored in their next three games before a showdown at Tyler High on October 16. I don’t think this Crandall team is equipped to make any kind of playoff run, but I do think they can turn the ship around and get into the dance.

Class 5A-Division II

Midlothian Heritage: Midlothian Heritage has made the playoffs in every varsity season since the school opened back in 2016, but they haven’t ever had to deal with an 0-3 start before. Eric Edwards’ squad has a lot of new faces and because of past success the Jaguars have had to navigate a tough non-district slate that included 4A-Division I state champion Stephenville, Colleyville Heritage and Mansfield Summit. The district slate starts out very difficult with surprising unbeaten Joshua this week and then state-ranked Mansfield Timberview next week. I expect MHHS to split those two games and then get a bit of momentum cranked up in the second half of the season in a district that top to bottom isn’t as challenging as we thought during the preseason. If Midlothian Heritage can nab a two or three-seed, I like their chances to at least make it out of the bi-district round.

Class 4A-Division I

Tuloso-Midway: The Warriors, once a doormat in the Coastal Bend, have slowly become a contender locally winning at least seven games in each of the past three seasons and making three straight playoff appearances. With that success comes a tougher non-district slate and Tuloso-Midway is off to a slow start. The good news for James Villareal’s squad as there’s a chance to find some footing in district play and after getting shut out in the first two games, the Warriors put up a good offensive showing in last week’s 29-22 loss to Orange Grove. The bad news is T-M takes on Corpus Christi Flour Bluff and Corpus Christi Miller the next two weeks, so there’s a chance they start 0-5. I think Tuloso-Midway gets their wheels back on after the Miller game and finds their way into the postseason as a fourth-place team.

Class 4A-Division II

Big Spring: First year head coach Stacey Martin returned to his alma mater with hopes of establishing the Steers as a power in West Texas, but it has been a tough start for Big Spring, which has been competitive in all three games. An 0-4 start is likely as Big Spring will be heavy underdogs this week against Lubbock Estacado. But after that game, things should turn around with a winnable non-district finale against San Angelo Lake View and a district opener against Pecos. In this six-team district, all Coach Martin needs to get into the playoffs is three wins and two wins potentially could get it done as well. This isn’t a team that will make a deep playoff run, but Big Spring has enough time to turn themselves into a playoff team.

Class 3A-Division I

Peaster: After a state semifinal run a year ago, Peaster’s going through some early season struggles on the offensive side of the ball as the Greyhounds have averaged just nine points per game. The loss of RB Hudson Salyers to Marble Falls when his dad was hired as the head baseball coach there has been a major blow. The Peaster defense, which was among the best in the state a year ago, is still very salty and I expect the offense to find their footing as they move into district play. Paradise is the big favorite in the district, but after that I could still see Peaster grab that two-seed and give themselves a manageable playoff path.

Class 3A-Division II

Daingerfield: It’s not a surprise Daingerfield is off to a slow star. The Tigers play a brutal non-district slate that toughens them up for the playoffs. Through the first two weeks, DHS lost to Gladewater and Tatum, two programs that are 3A-Division I playoff contenders. But last week in the Morris County rivalry, Daingerfield fell to 2A Omaha Pewitt, 48-41; it was the first home loss to Pewitt since 1968. That loss is a bit concerning and this week having to tangle with a good Atlanta squad. There’s a good shot Daingerfield heads into district play 0-4. If the Tigers can keep their focus and not panic, better days should be ahead when they enter district play.

Class 2A-Division I

Farwell: The Steers had a tough offseason as their talented young signal-caller transferred this offseason, but there were still high hopes they’d be just fine as 26 other lettermen returned. However, the season has gotten off to a rough start with close losses to New Deal and Amarillo River Road. The Week 2 loss to their rivals from across the border in Texico, 41-13, is one that’s hard to explain and the most concerning. FHS is in a five-team district and despite improvement from teams like Olton and Floydada, I expect Farwell to still be a key contender for the district title as the season progresses.

Class 2A-Division II

Deweyville: TECHNICALLY Deweyville isn’t 0-3 because district opponent Hull-Daisetta punted on the 2026 due to low numbers. The Pirates do have a win in a game that wasn’t scheduled to be played until October, but on the field, they’ve lost all three games. The Pirates take on 4A Austin Crockett this week in a game we’ll be watching just because of the size difference in the two schools. I expect Brandon Prouse’s squad to get things going in the right direction once district starts as 12-2A Division II isn’t the strongest league top to bottom.