State 7-on-7 Preview and Predictions: Division III

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Pool A Predicted Order of Finish

1. Kenedy
2. Daingerfield
3. Bosqueville
4. Sonora

All four teams in this pool advanced to the state tournament a year ago, so playing on the big stage won’t phase anyone. Kenedy, with its dynamic duo of QB Jericho Jackson and WR Dylan Russell, gets the edge over a Daingerfield team that will be the most explosive top to bottom. Bosqueville will look to play spoiler, while Sonora was able to qualify in the final week of qualifying with a 3-1 record at the Wink SQT.

Pool B Predicted Order of Finish

1. Jefferson
2. Goldthwaite
3. Hawley
4. Three Rivers

Jefferson will look to adapt to the role of favorite in their first ever state tournament. The Bulldogs dropped down to 3A-Division II at realignment, which makes them eligible in Division III. They are very experienced and extremely athletic. They get the nod over a sneaky good Goldthwaite squad. Hawley has the top player in the pool in TE Camden Ables, a Tarleton State commit.

Pool C Predicted Order of Finish

1. Van Vleck
2. DeLeon
3. West Rusk
4. Olton

Three first-timers headline this pool, as only DeLeon has experience at State as the Bearcats are making their second straight trip to College Station. Van Vleck, which qualified early on at Rice Consolidated, has a headliner on the outside in 2029 WR Cortley Blackmon, who already holds multiple FBS offers. Top to bottom, no one will be more explosive than West Rusk, which has the firepower to win the pool, while Olton is another first-timer at State looking to pull an upset or two.

Pool D Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hearne
2. Axtell
3. Millsap
4. Agua Dulce

Local favorite Hearne always plays well at the state tournament. They often find themselves in the quarterfinals as their athleticism and knowledge of the game enables them to thrive. Watch out for Axtell. QB Levi Leathers is a UNIT leading the offense. Despite this being their first trip to state, AHS is a force having won their qualifying game last week by an incredible score of 53-0. Millsap is back at state and they have the experience along with Agua Dulce, which proved last year that they can be a giant slayer.

Pool E Predicted Order of Finish

1. Ganado
2. Albany
3. Hico
4. Era

Last year’s runner-up Ganado looks like they’ll be a real contender once again. Junior QB Landyn Arriaga is among the top returning signal-callers in the state. Albany is a state tournament regular and although they haven’t made a Division III final four, the Lions make a habit of winning multiple games once bracket play cranks up on Friday. Hico is playing in their second straight state tournament, while Era is making their debut in College Station.

Pool F Predicted Order of Finish

1. Tidehaven
2. Lexington
3. Seymour
4. Alvord

Defending champion Tidehaven has a ton of youth, but if the Tigers put things together they are capable of another deep push. Lexington lost a Division I QB, but the Eagles always manage to make an appearance at state; being relatively close to home will definitely help. Two newcomers from North Texas in Seymour and Alvord will look to pull an upset or two and push into a higher seed heading into bracket play.

Pool G Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hamilton
2. Rice Consolidated
3. Wink
4. Tioga

This will be an extremely competitive pool. Hamilton made a deep run in College Station a year ago and then turned around and won the state title in the fall. The Bulldogs have a young QB, but solid experience back everywhere else. Rice Consolidated QB/DB Kordae Johnson is one of the most exciting players in the Division III field; he’s a real difference maker in the secondary. Wink is back in the field after missing the state tournament a year ago, while Tioga is in its third straight state tournament.

Pool H Predicted Order of Finish

1. Coahoma
2. Rio Vista
3. Boling
4. New Waverly

This is another highly competitive pool. Coahoma, which was a semifinalist in last year’s state tournament, was 7-0 in two late tournaments so the Bulldogs are battle-tested. Rio Vista is led by senior QB Kaiden Scott, who is primed for a breakout tournament, while Boling and New Waverly will prove to be tough customers with their outstanding skill talent.