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

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-3A Division II

1. Hamilton
2. Tolar
3. Comanche
4. Clifton
5. Millsap
6. Rio Vista
7. Eastland
8. Dublin

After winning the 2A Division I state title a year ago, Hamilton makes the move up to 3A Division II and the Bulldogs return enough firepower to get the nod as the top pick as a winning tradition has certainly been established. Tolar, which played for a state title in 2023 at the 2A level, is right there in the mix as well as the Rattlers return nine starters on both sides of the ball from a playoff team a year ago. The race for the three-seed will be a real battle. Clifton on paper may get the edge, but I like Comanche for that three-seed as Clifton lost a ton of offensive production. Millsap is lurking as well as the Bulldogs have eight starters back on both sides of the ball. Rio Vista also up from 2A-Division I expects to be a playoff contender despite the move up.

District 6-3A Division II

1. Maypearl
2. Scurry-Rosser
3. Cedar Hill TLC
4. Dallas Madison
5. Dallas Inspired Vision
6. Dallas Gateway

This Dallas-metro based district was supposed to be a seven-team district after realignment, but Mesquite PTAA elected to not play football this year, we’ll see if they are able to put things together for the 2027 campaign. Maypearl enters the season as a prohibitive favorite as the Panthers welcome back 17 starters from a team that was a playoff squad at the Division I level. ATH Collin Brooks is one of the region’s most dynamic and versatile playmakers and an early contender for district MVP honors. Things get murky after Maypearl. There are three teams competing for the two-seed - Scurry-Rosser, which was the district runner-up to Cedar Hill TLC, gets the nod over the Tigers primarily due to returning offensive experience. Despite losing nine offensive starters, Cedar Hill TLC, which is entering Year 2 under head coach Kenny Wooten, still expects to contend. But it will depend on how the young offense comes along. After a down 2025 season, expects Dallas Madison to have a bounce back season as head coach Marcus Gates welcomes back 14 total starters as the Trojans hope to return to the playoffs.

District 7-3A Division II

1. Blue Ridge
2. Leonard
3. Callisburg
4. Bells
5. Howe
6. S&S Consolidated
7. Valley View

The paradigm has changed in Texoma at the 3A Division II level as Gunter, which has terrorized the area for the past 10 seasons, moves up to Division I opening up the door in this district and in the larger sense the region. Blue Ridge and Leonard both made deep playoff runs last year winning a combined five playoff games. Blue Ridge, which was a regional semifinalist a year ago is primed for a district run with seven starters back on both sides of the ball and major strength in the trenches. Leonard, which was a regional finalist a year ago, lost a lot of offensive production, but the Justin Dozier’s squad still has potential primarily because of a veteran defense returning. Those two played two great games a year ago with Blue Ridge winning the regular season game by 5 and Leonard winning the third-round game by six. Bells, which has been a perennial playoff team, will look to bounce back after a tough 2025 season. But Callisburg, who was an area round playoff team a year ago, gets the nod over the Panthers. Howe, which won just two games a year ago, should be much improved with 18 starters back, including 10 starters on defense.

District 8-3A Division II

1. Grand Saline
2. Edgewood
3. Lone Oak
4. Gilmer Harmony
5. Prairiland
6. Paris Chisum
7. Quitman

I had Edgewood as the prohibitive favorite in the district going into the magazine season, but major news with QB Trevor Golightly transferring out will definitely impact the Bulldogs, who had hopes of a regional title going into 2026. We do not know right now if he’ll be eligible at his new school, but we have to assume at least for now that Edgewood won’t have their star QB, so that gives the edge for the district title to Grand Saline led by WR/DB Kolton Prox, who is a FBS prospect. Grand Saline and Edgewood look to be the top two, while Lone Oak and a veteran defense is going to need to carry the load as the Buffaloes only return two offensive starters. Harmony, with their seven starters back on both sides of the ball, also expects to be improved after going 4-7 a year ago.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W5 Hamilton vs F6 Dallas Madison

R8 Edgewood vs T7 Callisburg

W6 Maypearl vs F5 Clifton

R7 Leonard vs T8 Lone Oak

W7 Blue Ridge vs F8 Gilmer Harmony

R6 Scurry-Rosser vs T5 Comanche

W8 Grand Saline vs F7 Bells

R5 Tolar vs T6 Cedar Hill TLC

There aren’t many regions more wide open than this one. Gunter, which has won 10 straight regional titles, has moved up to 3A-Division I and perennial contender Holliday has moved over to Region I. Hamilton was a state title winner a year ago at the 2A-Division I level and has the playoff experience, but the move up in division and losses of offensive production could be a major impact to the Bulldogs chances for a deep run. Prior to the transfer of their QB, Edgewood was considered a favorite in the region and the Bulldogs will still be a contender. There’s no real favorite in the region and a lot of the teams in this district lack playoff pedigree. My pick in a bit of a surprise is Maypearl; the Panthers bring a ton of experience back from a Division I playoff team and despite the lack of playoff pedigree, Maypearl gets the surprise pick.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Maypearl over Blue Ridge