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

District 5-3A Division I was among the state’s most competitive districts top to bottom a year ago. Even Groesbeck, which finished at the bottom of the district, had a pair of agonizingly close losses to Grandview and West. Grandview gets the slight edge over Whitney at the top of the district; both teams are loaded with experience and Grandview was a team that advanced out of the bi-district round. Mexia, West and Maypearl will be in a fight for those last two playoff spots.

Palmer, which was the surprise district champion in this far flung district, has its eyes on another run in 2025 with 15 returning starters, led by explosive QB Eric Cisneros, who returns for his fourth season as a starter. Whitesboro returns 20 of 22 starters, including all 11 on offense, and will be primed to make a push for the district crown. Pilot Point isn’t far behind with 19 starters back from a surprise area-round run in Chad Worrell’s first season at the helm. Pottsboro will look to hold off a talented Dallas Life Oak Cliff squad for the final playoff spot.

It's a good news/bad news scenario for Malakoff, the 2023 state champion and 2024 state runner-up. The Tigers did lose 18 starters, but 16 lettermen return so there are guys back with varsity experience. That may not be enough to hold off Winnsboro, which may end up having one of the state’s most explosive offensive attacks. Commerce and Mineola should be in a fight for the three-seed. Mount Vernon may not make the playoffs, but they could be a much-improved squad in 2025.

After a sensational debut in which the Bulldogs went 12-1, head coach Ty Taylor is hoping for more in 2025 as Jefferson welcomes six back on both sides of the ball. The key will be settling on the running back spot after the graduation of a FBS signee at that position. Liberty-Eylau played for the regional title last year, but the Leopards may take a step back after losing a strong senior class and seeing their best returning player transfer out of state this offseason. Liberty-Eylau’s lower levels are loaded so don’t expect a down-tick for long. Atlanta is primed to take a step forward, while tradition-rich Tatum gets the edge for the final playoff spot over a veteran White Oak bunch.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-3A Division I

1. Grandview
2. Whitney
3. Mexia
4. West
5. Maypearl
6. Groesbeck

District 6-3A Division I

1. Palmer
2. Whitesboro
3. Pottsboro
4. Pilot Point
5. Dallas Life Oak Cliff
6. Dallas Madison
7. Dallas A+ Academy

District 7-3A Division I

1. Winnsboro
2. Malakoff
3. Commerce
4. Mineola
5. Mount Vernon
6. Emory Rains
7. Eustace

District 8-3A Division I

1. Jefferson
2. Atlanta
3. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau
4. Tatum
5. White Oak
6. Gladewater
7. Sabine

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Grandview vs F6 Pottsboro

R8 Atlanta vs T7 Commerce

W6 Palmer vs F5 West

R7 Malakoff vs T8 Texarkana Liberty-Eylau

W7 Winnsboro vs F8 Tatum

R6 Whitesboro vs T5 Mexia

W8 Jefferson vs F7 Mineola

R5 Whitney vs T6 Pilot Point

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Jefferson over Grandview