Stepp's 3A DI Region I Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

The two powers in 1-3A Division I still enter the season as the favorites in the district, but Shallowater and Bushland both have a lot of question marks that could prevent them, at least early, from being anointed regional contenders. Dalhart, which brings back seven from an area-round playoff team, could be among the region’s most improved teams.

District 2-3A Division I got swept out of the bi-district playoffs a year ago, but there’s plenty of optimism in Lamesa after a district title under first-year head coach Efrain Ramos. The Golden Tornadoes could be even better in 2025 with a full offseason under their belts and the talents of sophomore QB Daniel Ramos, who was a revelation as a freshman. With 15 returning starters, Kermit could take a big leap forward in 2025, while Denver City and Brownfield face rebuilding efforts.

With a strong group of young skill players and 17 returning starters, Sweetwater gets the nod over Jim Ned at the top of 3-3A Division I. Jim Ned will be a tough out after a regional semifinal appearance and a three-point loss to eventual regional champion Paradise. Clyde, in Year 2, could be poised to overtake Comanche, which suffered heavy graduation losses a year ago.

Without question, 4-3A Division I is the toughest district in the region with six teams that can make cases as playoff teams in 2025. Paradise is the defending regional champion and gets the edge despite some heavy losses on the defensive side of the ball. Vernon’s explosive cast of skill players and tradition carries them to the two-seed over Peaster, fresh off their best season in school history and 15 returning starters. Ponder was a tough-luck team a year ago and missed the playoffs, but don’t expect a repeat, as Marcus Schulz’s squad returns 18 starters and will look to make noise in what could be its swan song in 3A-Division I. Iowa Park and Bowie are projected to be solid football teams, but likely could miss out on the playoffs in this brutal district.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-3A Division I

1. Shallowater
2. Bushland
3. Dalhart
4. Amarillo River Road

District 2-3A Division I

1. Lamesa
2. Kermit
3. Denver City
4. Brownfield

District 3-3A Division I

1. Sweetwater
2. Tuscola Jim Ned
3. Clyde
4. Comanche
5. Breckenridge
6. San Angelo TLC

District 4-3A Division I

1. Paradise
2. Vernon
3. Peaster
4. Ponder
5. Iowa Park
6. Bowie
7. Boyd

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 Shallowater vs F2 Brownfield

R4 Vernon vs T3 Clyde

W2 Lamesa vs F1 Amarillo River Road

R3 Tuscola Jim Ned vs T4 Peaster

W3 Sweetwater vs F4 Ponder

R2 Kermit vs T1 Dalhart

W4 Paradise vs F3 Comanche

R1 Bushland vs T2 Denver City

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Paradise over Tuscola Jim Ned