Division I
District 2-3A
1. Shallowater: The Mustangs made the most of heading to the north last year by taking the outright District 2-3A Division I crown on the way to an area round finish. Shallowater will be tough to bet against again this season, especially with All-District running back Cannon Reed returning to run behind Texas Tech commit and 6-foot-7, 255-pound Kasen Long paving the way up front.
2. Bushland: The high-flying Falcons bring back one of the state’s best gunslingers in senior Dawson Jaco. One thing Jaco has to do early is find playmakers after a major departure in the skill position from a year ago. As always, expect Bushland to be in the district mix by season’s end.
3. Muleshoe: If there’s a team that can surprise some folks out there this year, it’s Muleshoe. This may be the most talented team Jason Richards has put on the field entering his fourth year leading the Mules. Muleshoe returns seven starters on offense including QB Nathan Martens, physical tight end Sebastian Kirven, and the speedy Daniel Sianez is very explosive out of the backfield.
4. Dalhart: The Golden Wolves went through major adversity in 2022 and are glad to have a new slate. Head coach Joey Read will rely heavily on his son and two-way starter, Kyler, to punch Dalhart’s way into the playoffs.
5. River Road: Veteran head coach Bryan Welps has a young team that is still learning how to win. If anyone can get a team better throughout the year, it’s Welps and his staff. Running back Jaelun Nelson has to remain healthy in this run-heavy attack to give the Wildcats a shot at the postseason.
Division II
District 3-3A
1. Canadian: The Wildcats reclaimed their spot atop the district throne last season on the way to the programs eighth UIL Class 3A Division II state semifinal in the past nine years. There has been some change since that time. Andy Cavalier takes over for the legendary Chris Koetting at head coach after Koetting retired due to health concerns last spring. Don’t expect anything to change with Cavalier as the goal remains the same with the season ending stop being AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Wildcats will need to replace key linemen on both sides of the ball, however, Canadian is loaded at the skill position with QB Camren Cavalier (3,069 yards passing), wide receiver Preston Miller (1,319 receiving yards) and the versatile Luke Flowers (624 rushing yards) all returning.
2. Friona: Yes, you read this right. Friona is slated here as the second-place team in the projections. Many fans probably have Childress as the automatic slot into second in this district. While the Bobcats can still very much prove this sportswriter wrong, the Chieftains have the potential to make some noise in 2023. Jose Saucedo brings speed and versatility to the offense and with the addition of Carson and Cade Seaman from Spearman to the roster, Friona picked up some outstanding weapons to be a little more dangerous.
3. Childress: The good news for the Bobcats is they returns eight offensive starters. The bad news for the Bobcats is they graduated two-way standout and a human highlight reel in Lamont Nickleberry. While there isn’t another player like Nickleberry on the roster, running back Da’Reon Mathis will be asked to fill those shoes while young quarterback Drake Rabe gets his feet wet in non-district. Keep an eye out for LB Scout Smith as well. This guy is as physical as it comes.
4. Spearman: The Lynx are implementing the option offense for the 2023 season. One thing head coach Aaron Witten loves to do is control the clock, and with this new physical offense moving how Witten hopes, the Lynx will be limiting possessions and wearing teams down by the end of games. Spearman is always a dangerous team and expect nothing less entering the fall.
5. Tulia: With 10 starters returning there isn’t any reason second-year coach Oscar Murga’s team can’t compete for a playoff spot. The program is definitely being built the way Murga wants it. It sounds cliche, but if the Hornets are healthy heading into district, they will be a contender for the postseason.
6. Dimmitt: It was a very rough season for head coach Johnny Nino as the Bobcats failed to find the win column in 2022. The goal this season, get that win and see if momentum can build going forward to fight for a playoff position.
