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 / Region III / Region IV

3A DII: Region I / Region II

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

Region III saw a slight makeover after UIL realignment with teams from Texoma that make up 9-3A Division II moving over from Region II to Region III. The interesting part about this move is Gunter, who was paired with many of the schools in this district, remains in Region II and moves west in realignment. District 10-3A and 11-3A Division II are East Texas districts with 10-3A being further west, while most of the 11-3A squads are concentrated in Northeast Texas. The interesting part of this alignment is the two East Texas districts won’t matchup with each other in the bi-district round of the playoffs. Region III gets rounded out by 12-3A Division II which is a combination of the far southern reaches of East Texas with the Golden Triangle area. Prohibited regional favorite Newton resides in this district, but keep an eye on rapidly improving Hemphill, who may be a contender to finish second and with the right draw could make some noise.

Newton

The Eagles rolled to a state title last year and with the vast majority of their team returning Newton looks to be the odds-on favorite to repeat as not only regional champions, but state champions as well. An impressive 17 starters are back led by RB Darwin Barlow (2,246 rushing, 38 touchdowns) who is an elite back that is earning major FBS interest. Barlow will team with versatile Tamauzia Brown (1,442 total yards, 18 touchdowns, 12 interceptions) to give the Eagles two of the state’s top playmakers regardless of classification.  QB Josh Foster is the operator of the Eagles Wing-T attack accounting for 45 total touchdowns a year ago. “He’s a quiet leader and leads by example,” said Coach WT Johnston.  LB Jadrian McGraw (112 tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions) is the top playmaker on defense along with Brown. The bottom line here is it will take a big upset for anyone in this region to take the Eagles down in 2018.

Waskom

After back to back state titles in 2014 and 2015, Waskom suffered through a dismal 2016 season. But the Wildcats bounced back in 2017 with a solid 9-4 campaign advancing to the third round of the playoffs. If there’s one team in this region who could possibly give Newton a run for its money, it’s coach Whitney Keeling’s Wildcats. The return of RB’s T.K. Hamilton and Jacob Reeves who combined for 2,602 rushing yards and 37 total touchdowns will be key for the Waskom flexbone attack. Nine starters return for the Waskom defense led by a pair of outstanding linebackers in Tristan McDonald (146 tackles) and Lamontre Stephens (113 tackles, two interceptions).

Winona

Winona made a surprise run to the third round of the playoffs two years ago but stumbled in a first round playoff loss last year. Head coach Keylon Kincade will rely on 15 returning starters to try and put the Wildcats back in the discussion as one of the better teams in East Texas at the 3A Division II level. ATH Keylon Kincade, Jr. does a little bit of everything for Winona playing QB, WR, RB, DB, and he returns kicks for good measure accounting for 1,501 yards, 212 touchdowns, 39 tackles, two interceptions a year ago. WR/DB Dakota Pullum (1,033 receiving, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions) is another big-time playmaker for WHS as well. The skill talent is there in abundance for the Wildcats, the big key will be the defense and how they hold up in the trenches.

Elysian Fields

The always-talented Yellow Jackets have some holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball as just two starters return from last year’s 7-4 squad, but with six back on defense the ‘Jackets could still be a darkhorse pick to make some playoff noise. Two-way threat Chris Smith who had over 1,300 yards of offense and a dozen touchdowns will be key on offense along with his work in the secondary where he picked off two passes in 2017. Tulsa commit Jade Ashalintubbi will be an anchor on both the offensive and defensive lines. The defense is led by DB Tyrese Hardeman picked off four passes a year ago and could be a real force at receiver as well along with LB Michael Ramriez who last year moved in from Longview and immediately made an impact earning first team all-district honors. If Elysian Fields can settle on a QB and get some consistency the pieces are still in place for them to be a tough out come playoff time.