Defending state champion Malakoff enters the season with their sights set on a repeat and for good reason as the Tigers return plenty of firepower, but as always the Region II race will be challenging come playoff time.

Top to bottom 5-3A Division I may have the most depth of any district in Region II as all six teams in the district have a case to be made for the playoffs. Grandview has the most pedigree of any team in the district, but the Zebras do have to replace some key losses on both sides of the ball. West and Whitney will be locked in a real battle right behind Grandview, West brings more back, but Whitney is fresh off an unbelievable 11-2 campaign. If there’s a sleeper to watch, keep an eye on Mexia who brings back all but five players from last year’s team. Don’t sleep on Groesbeck and Maypearl who are more than capable of making noise as well.

It's an odd mix of teams in 5-3A Division I with Texoma powers Pottsboro and Whitesboro matching up with teams from the city of Dallas and even stretching south of Dallas with Palmer. Pottsboro expects to be the top team in the group, while Whitesboro expects to be improved after going through a transition year in 2023. Things get quite interesting after that with Madison, and Palmer looking like the best bets to nab the final two playoff spots, but Life Oak Cliff with their young talent and Pilot Point under a new head coach and a new attitude both anticipate being much improved heading into 2024.

Defending champion Malakoff will be ready to defend their title with eight starters returning on the offensive side of the ball, they’ll have to get through always tough Winnsboro who Malakoff knocked off in the regional finals a year ago, the big question for the Red Raiders will be who steps in at the QB spot after the graduation of a record setting QB. Old rivals Commerce and Mount Vernon will be in competition for the third spot, with Mineola and their nine starters returning on offense being in the mix as well.

Heading out to East Texas, things get really interesting in 8-3A Division II as there’s really five teams that could make a real case for the district title. Jefferson under new head coach Ty Taylor and fifteen starters and 27 lettermen returning gets the nod for the district title. Atlanta brings back eighteen starters and 22 lettermen back and expects to be a real force inside of Region II, while Liberty-Eylau down from 4A-Division II expects to contend in their first season in 3A. Tatum and Gladewater were also playoff teams and they also return big numbers. One of these five teams is going to be very disappointed after Week 11.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-3A Division I

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

District 6-3A Division I

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

District 7-3A Division I

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

District 8-3A Division I

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

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Grandview vs F6 Palmer

R8 Atlanta vs T7 Commerce

W6 Pottsboro vs F5 Mexia

R7 Winnsboro vs T8 Texarkana Liberty-Eylau

W7 Malakoff vs F8 Tatum

R6 Whitesboro vs T5 Whitney

W8 Jefferson vs F7 Mount Vernon

R5 West vs T6 Dallas Madison

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Malakoff over Atlanta