6A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

3A DI: Region I /  Region II

Today’s spotlight: Class 3A Division I Region III

Region III didn’t see too much change as it stretches from the Waco area over to the east into the Brazos Valley and the Piney Woods of East Texas down to the Golden Triangle. District 9-3A Division I is mainly based north and east of the Waco area, stretching into the far southern reaches of the DFW area with Grandview and Maypearl. Groesbeck and Teague, near the I-45 corridor to the east, join West, Whitney and McGregor to round the district out. Although maybe not quite as deep or tough as the last two years, 10-3A Division I will still be outstanding as defending state champion Rockdale and its arch rival Cameron Yoe headline this loop. Always tough Troy and Lago Vista are in the mix along with new school Manor New Tech. 11-3A Division I is a Piney Woods based district with a lot of tremendous athleticism in teams like Diboll and Crockett. Franklin moves over from 10-3A the past two years and looks like the early favorite as it has the speed on defense along with a physical nature that makes it a tough matchup. 12-3A Division I should be tough as it features powerful Woodville along with always solid East Chambers and Buna along with 4A drop down Orangefield.

Grandview

The Zebras posted an impressive 12-2 mark a year ago in veteran head coach Brad Davis’ first year at the helm. Grandview graduates 10 defensive starters, but Coach Davis feels confident players from his 10-0 JV team can step in and fill in after the heavy graduation losses. QB Dane Jentsch was sensational as a freshman throwing 19 touchdowns and zero interceptions. With a full year under his belt, look for the offense to open up more. RB Tremayne Gullatte showed some promise in a backup role as a sophomore and should be ready to take the lead back role.

Rockdale

Rockdale caught fire late in the year and rode that wave all the way to an impressive state title victory over Brock. The graduation losses dealt a hit as RHS lost two Big 12 signees, but head coach Jeff Miller thinks the experience for the younger players getting six extra weeks of practice will be big as those players who posted a 9-1 JV mark will be counted on in a major way. The Tigers’ skill talent has mostly graduated so look for a defense led by LB Jackson Perry, NT Cayden McBride and DB Will Story to carry the load, especially early in the season while the offense finds its way. 2017 may have been the perfect storm for the Tigers but this team has pedigree now and will be in contention.

Orangefield

Orangefield head coach Josh Smalley is excited about his team in 2018 that fell in the first round of the 4A playoffs to Bellville but returns 20 letterman, including a dozen sophomores who saw time last year.  Two-way star LB/RB Blake Bradley is a four-year varsity player and will lead the way along with QB Mason Gonzales who pilots the Bobcats multiple attack and is another four-year letterman. RB Quy Tsan is a speedster and Orangefield’s big-play threat on offense. The Bobcats are a tough matchup as they base out of the Slot-T but will get into the spread at times.

Woodville

After a strong 9-2 season a year ago, the Eagles hope 14 returning starters can result in another deep playoff run after last year’s area round loss to the eventual state champion Rockdale. The Eagles have two big-time backs returning in Zack Martin (1,411 rushing, 18 touchdowns, 93 tackles, 2 interceptions) and Da’Michael Brooks (1,007 yards rushing), they give the offense plenty of explosiveness and will operate behind a big and experienced offensive line. Six starters are back on defense and there’s speed all over the field for Coach Ty Robinson’s bunch. LB’s Marcos Broom (111 tackles) and Kobe Adams (93 tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception) provide experience, leadership and playmaking ability. If you are looking for a favorite in what looks to be a wide open region, Woodville may fit the bill.