Stepp's 3A DII Region II Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

Tolar made a big impression in its first season as a 3A Division II squad last season by posting 11 wins and a trip to the regional semifinals. However, a strong senior class that formed a big part of this three-year run has graduated. They’ll get a strong push from a veteran Brady team that was the runner-up a year ago. But Tolar’s playoff experience (seven playoff wins the past two seasons) gives it the nod. Eastland, under a new head coach, is the pick for the three-seed, but the race will be close as Clifton, Dublin and even Early can make a case for a spot in the postseason.

Holliday has a strong case that they’ve been the second best team in Region II over the past few years, but a blowout regional final loss to Gunter last year ended 2024 on a sour note. The Eagles again look to be poised for a great season with 21 lettermen back, so another deep run isn’t out of the question. City View is as explosive as anyone and with seven back on both sides, the Mustangs are looking to surpass last year’s third-round run. Jacksboro also made the third round a year ago, but the Tigers could be retooling, especially on defense. Millsap, despite losing its QB to an offseason transfer, gets the nod for the four-seed on the strength of some strong young classes. But is this the Bulldogs' last year as a Division II program?

Gunter’s been the state’s most dominant program in 3A Division II over the past 10 seasons, but 2025 could be a transition year with a new head coach and just seven returning starters overall. The Tigers enter as the favorite in the district and in Region II, but the gap may be closing as Bells brings back 16 starters and Blue Ridge returns 15 starters. Those two teams expect to be right in the mix as both made the area playoffs a year ago. Leonard gets the edge for the final playoff spot over S&S Consolidated, Callisburg and Howe.

District 8-3A Division II looks to be a two-horse race as Scurry-Rosser, last year’s district champion, gets the nod with a dozen starters back over a veteran Cedar Hill TLC squad that has a new head coach. Blooming Grove and Rice are good bets to get the final two playoff spots, but if there’s a team that could climb into the playoff mix, watch out for Inspired Vision, which returns 24 lettermen and 16 starters.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-3A Division II

1. Tolar
2. Brady
3. Eastland
4. Clifton
5. Dublin
6. Early

District 6-3A Division II

1. Holliday
2. Wichita Falls City View
3. Jacksboro
4. Millsap
5. Henrietta
6. Valley View

District 7-3A Division II

1. Gunter
2. Bells
3. Blue Ridge
4. Leonard
5. Callisburg
6. S&S Consolidated
7. Howe

District 8-3A Division II

1. Scurry-Rosser
2. Cedar Hill TLC
3. Blooming Grove
4. Rice
5. Dallas Inspired Vision
6. Dallas Gateway

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Tolar vs F6 Millsap

R8 Cedar Hill TLC vs T7 Blue Ridge

W6 Holliday vs F5 Clifton

R7 Bells vs T8 Blooming Grove

W7 Gunter vs F8 Rice

R6 Wichita Falls City View vs T5 Eastland

W8 Scurry-Rosser vs F7 Leonard

R5 Brady vs T6 Jacksboro

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Gunter over Holliday