In Region III East Texas has dominated things as the last four seasons a team from the East Texas district has taken home regional title honors with Tyler Chapel Hill winning the last three regional crowns. Kilgore has been the tough luck team inside of the region as they’ve fallen in the regional final in three of the last four years, in 2021 Kilgore fell in the regional semifinals. The other ironic fact for Kilgore is they’ve fallen to Chapel Hill three straight seasons in the playoffs. Will anyone outside East Texas be able to break up the monopoly that the 903 has held?

The race at the top of 9-4A Division I will once again likely come down to a battle of Bulldogs as Chapel Hill’s blue Bulldogs and Kilgore’s red Bulldogs will again fight it out as both are ranked in the top ten of 4A-Division I. A year ago Kilgore won the regular season meeting (in convincing fashion) and Chapel Hill won an absolute street fight in the playoffs. The margins between these two are thin, so don’t be surprised in this year’s meeting (or meetings) if both games are close. 5A drop down Pine Tree expects to be drop down and be in contention, while Lindale will lean on a veteran defense to help their young offense mature.

Down in the Golden Triangle, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, who fell to Chapel Hill in the 2021 regional final appears primed to make a deep playoff run as the Bears return seventeen starters from a playoff team. Lumberton lost their coach and a great senior class, but the Raiders still could hold off always tricky Vidor and their Slot-T offense. Livingston was able to sneak into the playoffs a year ago and should be better as they return sixteen starters, expect them to get a challenge from Bridge City and Huffman for the final playoff spot.

In Houston ISD’s 4A district the power right now lies on the Southside of town as last year’s top two teams Worthing and Yates both expect to be the top contenders once again as both teams welcome back veteran squads. Worthing won convincingly over Yates a year ago, the Lions may close the gap some, but this is still Worthing’s district to lose. Furr, Wheatley and North Forest will be the key contenders for the district’s final two playoff spots. The big question will be is Worthing or Yates ready to break through and contend for a playoff win?? 2024 might be their chance!

After ten wins and a regional semifinal appearance a year ago, Needville took some graduation hits, but the Blue Jays still look primed to bring home a district title in 2024. Stafford is always dangerous because the Spartans bring so much speed to the table on defense, but a young offense will be a concern. Navasota is a mystery as the tradition-rich Rattlers have a new coach. Willowridge, down from Class 5A should be in line for the last playoff spot, while newcomer Fort Bend Crawford may see growing pains in year one, but expect them to be a force in 2025.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-4A Division I

1. Tyler Chapel Hill
2. Kilgore
3. Longview Pine Tree
4. Lindale
5. Palestine
6. Henderson
7. Mabank

District 10-4A Division I

1. Little Cypress-Mauriceville
2. Lumberton
3. Vidor
4. Livingston
5. Bridge City
6. Huffman-Hargrave
7. Liberty
8. Hardin-Jefferson

District 11-4A Division I

1. Houston Worthing
2. Houston Yates
3. Houston Furr
4. Houston Wheatley
5. Houston North Forest
6. Houston Washington
7. Houston Kashmere
8. Houston Northside
9. Houston Scarborough

District 12-4A Division I

1. Needville
2. Stafford
3. Navasota
4. Fort Bend Willowridge
5. Fort Bend Crawford
6. Freeport Brazosport

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Tyler Chapel Hill vs F10 Livingston

R12 Stafford vs T11 Houston Furr

W10 Little Cypress-Mauriceville vs F9 Lindale

R11 Houston Yates vs T12 Navasota

W11 Houston Worthing vs F12 Fort Bend Willowridge

R10 Lumberton vs T9 Longview Pine Tree

W12 Needville vs F11 Houston Wheatley

R9 Kilgore vs T10 Vidor

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Kilgore over Tyler Chapel Hill