Class 4A Division I Region III District Projections and Playoff Outlook

Region III has been dominated by East Texas over the past several seasons and once again all roads run through 9-4A Division I, as last year’s defending regional champion Kilgore looks loaded for another possible run to Arlington. Kilgore’s offense should be one of the best on the state, while Tyler Chapel Hill on the strength of a veteran defense with ten starters back will be right on Kilgore’s heels. Lindale’s got a lot of pieces back and should be a contender to be one of the more improved teams in all of East Texas, while the battle for fourth should be extremely competitive between a young Pine Tree squad, Henderson who has a new coach and a very talented Palestine bunch.

Down in the Golden Triangle, Huffman-Hargrave has their sights set on a big run as the Falcons bring eight starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that nearly beat regional finalist Chapel Hill in the first round of the playoffs. Fast-rising Bridge City looks to take another step forward in year two under Josh Smalley, while Little Cypress-Mauriceville will return one of the most explosive players in the state in Braylon Lewis. Watch out for Hardin-Jefferson to surprise Vidor and Lumberton to steal the final playoff spot.

Houston ISD got themselves a playoff win last year as Worthing went undefeated and earned a first round win before falling to Chapel Hill in the area playoffs, the Colts were gutted by graduation and that may open the door for Yates. The Lions have a new coach, but they bring back 17 total starters, so give the edge to the boys from the Third Ward. The battle for third and fourth should be very competitive, North Forest, Wheatley, Washington and Furr all have a case for playoff positioning.

After making the playoffs in their first season playing varsity football, Fort Bend Crawford is primed for a breakout as the Chargers bring back all 22 starters from last year, expect this team to be a regional contender. Needville always seems to over-achieve under head coach Mike Giles and the Blue Jays are poised to be right in the mix. Stafford is always talented and is capable of beating anyone on the right day, while Navasota after a surprise area round playoff appearance a year ago could be back in the playoffs once again.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-4A Division I

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

District 10-4A Division I

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

District 11-4A Division I

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

District 12-4A Division I

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

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Kilgore vs F10 Hardin-Jefferson

R12 Needville vs T11 Houston North Forest

W10 Huffman-Hargrave vs F9 Henderson

R11 Houston Worthing vs T12 Stafford

W11 Houston Yates vs F12 Navasota

R10 Bridge City vs T9 Lindale

W12 Fort Bend Crawford vs F11 Houston Wheatley

R9 Tyler Chapel Hill vs T10 Little Cypress-Mauriceville

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Kilgore over Fort Bend Crawford