Class 6A

Cypress Springs: The Panthers have improved each year under head coach Oji Fagan, going 2-8, 4-6 and last year Springs posted an 8-3 mark and a playoff appearance. With eight starters back on the defensive side of the ball and some key offensive pieces back, Cy Springs expects to not only contend for a district title, but a playoff win or two. They will be breaking in a new QB and that will ultimately determine the Panthers ceiling.

Others to watch: Flower Mound Marcus, Humble Kingwood, Medina Valley

Class 5A-Division I

San Antonio Jay: It’s hard to call a team that went 10-3 in 6A and is dropping down to 5A-Division I a “hipster” pick, but the computers for some reason aren’t high on the Mustangs and I believe this is a mistake. Coach Gutierrez’s squad must replace a great senior class, but the culture is established and there’s some good young talent in the pipeline that got to experience a third round playoff run in 6A in 2023.

Others to watch: Lubbock Monterey, West Mesquite, Lufkin

Class 5A-Division II

The Colony: The Cougars play in maybe the deepest district in Texas regardless of classification, but if they can sneak into the playoffs they’ll be a threat. The Colony finished 5-5 in Division I a year ago, but return seven starters on both sides of the ball and they had a major feather in the cap a year ago with a win over Denton Ryan. This is a dangerous, dangerous team.

Others to watch: Marshall, Bastrop, Corpus Christi Carroll

Class 4A-Division I

Andrews: Andrews moved to the Slot-T offense a year ago and after some initial growing pains, they picked things up and advanced to the area playoffs. 2024 could be a big year with sixteen returning starters, a second-year in the system and they’ve got one of the state’s most productive running backs in Jaesean DeBouse.

Others to watch: Fort Worth Southwest, Navasota, Tuloso-Midway

Class 4A-Division II

Kingsville: One thing we know for sure is the Brahmas are in the playoffs in 2024 as KHS was placed into a four-team District 16-4A Division II, but HC Ruben Garcia believes his team is ready to breakout. Kingsville finished 3-7 as a 4A-Division I team a year ago, but they were 1-4 in games decided by seven points or less and played Calallen very tough as well. With sixteen starters back, this is a team that could be among the most improved in South Texas.

Others to watch: Mineral Wells, Athens, West Columbia

Class 3A-Division I

Ponder: Marcus Schulz in year two in Ponder has the Lions ready to make a step forward with seven starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that was a competitive 4-6 in a brutal district in 2023. The district isn’t as tough as it was a year ago, but will still be a challenge, but if Ponder can get into the playoffs they’ll be a tough out.

Others to watch: Gladewater, Anahuac, San Antonio Cole

Class 3A-Division II

San Antonio YMLA: YMLA is going to be fascinating to watch as they move down from 4A-Division II all the way to 3A-Division II. The Lions have above average team speed and having knocked heads with much larger schools the past few seasons will have then battle tested in a district they have a legit shot to finish as high as second place.

Others to watch: Coahoma, Cedar Hill TLC, Arp

Class 2A-Division I

De Leon: HC Jacob Marwitz knows his team is going to be strong, just look at the non-district slate he’s got lined up, (Dublin, Stamford, Valley Mills, Hawley and Muenster). The Bearcats were a 7-5 area finalist a year ago and return nine starters on both sides of the ball, this is a team that is a real contender in Region II.

Others to watch: Forsan, San Augustine, San Saba

Class 2A-Division II

Bartlett: This is the ultimate hipster pick as Bartlett was 0-10 a year ago, but there’s hope things are about to turn for the Bulldogs who qualified for State 7-on-7 this year and they bring back 31 of 32 players from last year’s team. This means the Bulldogs have numbers and experience returning, keep an eye on sophomore RB Eric Walker, II who has the bloodlines and talent to possibly be a Division I football player before his career wraps up.

Others to watch: McCamey, Hamlin. Mount Enterprise