After a run to the regional final a year ago and with 13 starters returning, Llano should continue its dominance in 13-3A Division I, the question will be if they can be a legitimate regional contender once again. Marion has a new coach and despite a 5-7 record a year ago, the Bulldogs get the edge over a 10-win Universal City Randolph squad that was gutted by graduation. A veteran Luling bunch gets the pick over Ingram Moore for the final playoff spot.

Jourdanton gets the nod in 14-3A Division I as the Indians have dominated this loop in recent years, but they should get a strong push from Crystal City, which returns eight on both sides of the ball from an 8-3 squad. This could be Crystal City’s best team in decades. San Antonio Cole, under new head coach Larry Norman, gets the pick for the three-seed, while Hondo and Lytle will be expected to battle for the final playoff spot.

Three-time defending regional champion Edna has a new coach, but with 26 lettermen back, the Cowboys enter the season as the Region IV team to beat once again. Goliad has the region’s most explosive player in Lamont Franklin and 13 starters back from a 10-win team. Goliad beat Edna in district play two years ago, but could they do it in the playoffs? Orange Grove also returns a ton from an 8-4 squad, the Bulldogs bring back 14 starters and 31 lettermen. Fast-growing London is likely off to 4A next alignment so this will be the Pirates last run in this district under a new head coach.

San Diego will be under a new head coach in 2025, but with 15 starters back from an 8-3 squad, the Vaqueros get the pick to win the district. Bishop also has a new coach and if it can find some young players on defense, the Badgers could be primed for the two-seed over a young Rio Hondo squad that earned a playoff win a year ago. Lyford is the pick to hold off Raymondville, and another new head coach, for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-3A Division I

1. Llano
2. Marion
3. Universal City Randolph
4. Luling
5. Ingram Moore
6. Florence

District 14-3A Division I

1. Jourdanton
2. Crystal City
3. San Antonio Cole
4. Hondo
5. Lytle
6. Poteet

District 15-3A Division I

1. Edna
2. Goliad
3. Orange Grove
4. London
5. Palacios
6. Aransas Pass
7. Mathis
8. Corpus Christi West Oso

District 16-3A Division I

1. San Diego
2. Bishop
3. Rio Hondo
4. Lyford
5. Raymondvile
6. Falfurrias
7. Kingsville Academy
8. Progreso

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Llano vs F14 Hondo

R16 Bishop vs T15 Orange Grove

W14 Jourdanton vs F13 Luling

R15 Goliad vs T16 Rio Hondo

W15 Edna vs F16 Lyford

R14 Crystal City vs T13 Universal City Randolph

W16 San Diego vs F15 London

R13 Marion vs T14 San Antonio Cole

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Edna over Goliad