6A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

3A DI: Region I /  Region II / Region III

Today’s spotlight: Class 3A Division I Region IV

There’s plenty of change in Region IV, but the one constant that remains is the Cross Roads Region around the Victoria area is the likely place where this regional champion lies, although it may not be the two-time defending champion Yoakum who enters as the favorite. 13-3A Division I features teams on the outer reaches of the Houston area for the most part. Rice Consolidated, who will have a new coach in 2018, Hempstead and Hitchcock are holdovers. Palacios swings between going south and going north in realignment and this time heads north up Highway 35 for district games. Then we have two new additions, Columbus, down from Class 4A Division II, and Boling, who moves up to Division I. Boling played for a state title in 2016 and lost in the state semi-finals a year ago. 14-3A Division I is certainly where most of the power in this region lies as there’s a good case that four of the region’s top five teams are in this grouping of teams. Yoakum and Goliad, who played for the regional title last year, headline things, but Edna and Hallettsville are outstanding teams as well. Luling would be a likely playoff team in most districts in the state and because of a bad draw in realignment, may be relegated to fifth place. 15-3A Division I is based around San Antonio and points to the south. University City Randolph and San Antonio Cole are the two schools located on military installations in the Alamo City and will head south for district games in Cotulla, Jourdanton, Lytle and Karnes City. 16-3A Division I is based mostly around Corpus Christi and points to the south all the way down to Lyford which is only 20 miles north of Harlingen.

Goliad

2018 may be the year for the Tigers as several three-year starters lead the way for Bobby Nicholson’s squad that went three deep in 2016 and four deep last year. 17 total starters return for a team that looks to be primed for a regional title. 15-3A MVP Dontavion Clay (856 receiving, 18 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) and two-way wrecking machine RB/DL Logan Bland (1,723 rushing, 34 touchdowns, 123 tackles, 5 sacks) also returns for the Tigers. LB Angel Hernandez (184 tackles) returns as well along with Clay and FS Rocky Morris (7 interceptions). Barring injuries, it’ll be a surprise if Goliad isn’t considered the early favorite to win the regional title.

Yoakum

It’s been quite the run for the Bulldogs who two years ago played for a state title and last year fell in the state semi-finals to a red-hot Rockdale team that eventually took home the title. The Bulldogs lost four FBS signees along with nine defensive starters so there is definitely a retooling that will take place. Look for the Yoakum offense to still be very good especially up front with the return of Connor Brandt, Joey Dominguez and Trey Smith leading the way for speedy RB Montreal Jones. If Yoakum’s young defense can get past some early growing pains, expect it to be contending once again in November.

Columbus

Columbus could really benefit from the drop down in classification as the Cardinals have been fighting an uphill battle in a tough 4A district the past two years with the likes of Giddings, LaGrange and Gonzales. CHS went 3-7 a year ago but managed to be a playoff team, plus Mike Bonewald’s squad brings back several key playmakers led by RB’s Tyree Simcik and Kion Hurd. Hurd was sensational as a freshman and could really develop with a full off-season under his belt. DE Dayne Schobel will lead a defense that will be young but has some talent. The Cardinals big keys to take a giant leap forward and a contender will be development of their new QB and young defensive unit.

Edna

The Cowboys always seem to be laying in the weeds, not talked about much but always right in the mix year in and year out. That may be just the way coach Jerry Long likes it as he welcomes back a dozen starters from an 8-5 squad a year ago. Defense will certainly be a strength as eight starters return led by LB Austin Black (183 tackles) and DE’s Dayton McCoy and Kobe Giles. The offense will be young with just four back, but there is some quality, namely RB Kendis Haynes who ran for 2,132 yards and 32 touchdowns as a junior. Haynes is one of the state’s most productive backs and is capable of carrying the load while that young offense finds their way.