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

Palestine Westwood enters the year as the clear cut favorite in 9-3A Division I, as the Panthers have an offense that is capable of putting up points against anyone. If they want to push to true regional contender status, the defense will need to improve. Fairfield and Teague, fresh off area-round playoff appearances, bring back strong contingents as both expect to close the gap on Westwood, which dominated a year ago. Diboll loses a lot, but the Lumberjacks are always tough.

Orangefield went unblemished through 10-3A Division I a year ago, and the Bobcats get the edge as the favorites - barely. Hardin, which nearly stunned Westwood in the first round of the playoffs, brings back 19 starters and is poised to do damage. Perennial playoff team East Chambers will be in contention, while Coldspring holds off Anahuac, which lost their star QB to a transfer this offseason.

Perennial powerhouse Franklin is one of many in the elite of 3A-Division I that have questions to answer going into 2025. However, the Lions have pedigree, good depth for a school their size and an identity they believe in. Little River-Academy could be one of the real surprise teams in 2025; the Bumblebees bring back the house. The race for the final two playoff spots will be quite jumbled.

Defending state champion Columbus has some major holes to fill. Replacing four FBS signees for a 3A program is tough, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Columbus has a P4 recruit at WR and all five returning starters on the offensive line; defense is where most of the Cardinals' questions will be in 2025. Yoakum is the real sleeper in the region. After going three deep last year, the Bulldogs return 16 starters. Hitchcock lost a stellar senior class and was the lone team to beat Columbus a year ago, but they expect to take a step back, especially on offense.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-3A Division I

1. Palestine Westwood
2. Fairfield
3. Teague
4. Diboll
5. Crockett
6. Huntington

District 10-3A Division I

1. Orangefield
2. Hardin
3. East Chambers
4. Coldspring
5. Anahuac
6. Kirbyville
7. Buna

District 11-3A Division I

1. Franklin
2. Little River-Academy
3. Troy
4. Cameron Yoe
5. Rockdale
6. McGregor

District 12-3A Division I

1. Columbus
2. Yoakum
3. Hitchcock
4. Hallettsville
5. Hempstead

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Palestine Westwood vs F10 Coldspring

R12 Yoakum vs T11 Troy

W10 Orangefield vs F9 Diboll

R11 Little River-Academy vs T12 Hitchcock

W11 Franklin vs F12 Hallettsville

R10 Hardin vs T9 Teague

W12 Columbus vs F11 Cameron Yoe

R9 Fairfield vs T10 East Chambers

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Franklin over Yoakum