Regional Outlook
Timpson was the surprise winner in Region III a year ago and not only did the Bears win the region, but they totally dominated winning their four playoff games by an average margin of 38.5 points, can the Bears repeat that dominance in 2021?
Hawkins rolled to a district title and unbeaten regular season a year ago, but the Hawks were upset in the first round of the playoffs by a surging Garrison squad. Beckville, the district runner-up got red hot in the playoffs and advanced all the way to the regional finals and with both teams bringing back a large amount of talent, the battle in 9-2A Division I will be exciting. Price Carlisle and Frankston get the early edge for the final two spots, but keep an eye on Linden-Kildare and Union Grove.
Defending regional champion Timpson headlines 10-2A Division I and the Bears with sixteen starters returning feel like they can challenge Region IV’s dominance in 2021. Garrison finished 6-6 a year ago, but got hot late in the year and earned a trip to the third round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs return nine on both sides of the ball and will be ready to challenge Timpson’s dominance. Joaquin with eight back on both sides of the ball from an 8-2 team may be one of the state’s best third place teams.
Centerville with fifteen starters returning from a playoff squad will look to overtake Normangee who lost some key pieces from their regional semifinal squad. The battle for the last two playoff spots will be fun to watch as there’s four evenly matched teams in 11-2A Division I fighting it out. Grapeland and Alto get the nod to start, but Groveton and Jewett Leon will be right there in the mix.
Hearne was the surprise winner of 12-2A Division I a year ago and the Eagles appear ready for even more in 2021 with six back on both sides of the ball. Thorndale and Holland look like solid bets for the second and third playoff spots in the district, but the battle for fourth should be intriguing with Thrall, a playoff team a year ago looking to hold off Rosebud-Lott who returns a very impressive nineteen total starters.
District Predictions
District 9-2A Division I
- Hawkins
- Beckville
- Price Carlisle
- Frankston
- Linden-Kildare
- Union Grove
- Big Sandy
District 10-2A Division I
- Timpson
- Garrison
- Joaquin
- Shelbyville
- San Augustine
District 11-2A Division I
- Centerville
- Normangee
- Grapeland
- Alto
- Groveton
- Jewett Leon
District 12-2A Division I
- Hearne
- Thorndale
- Holland
- Rosebud-Lott
- Thrall
- Bruceville-Eddy
- Moody
Predicted Playoff Matchups
W9 Hawkins vs. F10 Shelbyville
R12 Thorndale vs. T11 Grapeland
W10 Timpson vs. F9 Frankston
R11 Normangee vs. T12 Holland
W11 Centerville vs. F12 Rosebud-Lott
R10 Garrison vs. T9 Price Carlisle
W12 Hearne vs F11 Alto
R9 Beckville vs. T10 Joaquin
Regional Winner
Timpson over Garrison
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