Division I

District 1-3A

1. Bushland: The expectations never change in Falcon land even with a host of new faces filling the offense. Thankfully, a very aggressive defense can carry the load until the offense earns their wings.

2. Shallowater: A 6-6 season and a second round exit last year isn’t what a talented Mustang program is accustomed to. With a loaded offense returning head coach Rodney Vincent expects his team to regain that traditional form.

3. Dalhart: QB Kyler Read and the Golden Wolves are primed for a big year. Besides Read, Dalhart has playmakers all over the field, but will they have that extra push to make a playoff push that has yet to happen for this group.

4. River Road: With a four-team district, the Wildcats can print the playoff shirts. All jokes aside, head coach Bryan Welps has a veteran group that is much more mature. With a comparable non-district schedule, River Road could gain some confidence to sneak up on someone come district.

Best Game

Bushland at Shallowater, 7 p.m. Oct. 25. 

This is always the game to watch come October and district play. Two years ago, Shallowater walked into Bushland and handed the Falcons a decisive 43-28 loss. Last season, Bushland returned the favor hammering the Mustangs 35-3. It will be interesting to see what 2024 brings.

Division II

District 1-3A

1. Canadian: The Wildcats have kept a stronghold on this district going on a decade and it doesn’t look like things are changing. Though Canadian has a much different team with the loss of a talented senior class, the Wildcats always find a way to be successful.

2. Childress: Three-year starting quarterback Drake Rabe is back and anxious to keep the proud tradition of Bobcat football rolling. Childress is always in the conversation of contending when it comes playoff time.

3. Friona: This will be the first full season for head coach Elias Carrillo who took over with the interim tag in the middle of last year. Thanks to Carrillo and his team’s effort, the Chieftains stepped up. One big strength heading into 2024, is the Chieftains speed on the outside.

4. Tulia: Enter Fred Jordan as the new football coach for the Hornets. Jordan brings a respected coaching background and a positive buzz to the program. With 12 starters back including QB David Molina, Jordan hopes Tulia can turn some heads.

5. Dimmitt: It wasn’t the season the Bobcats are wanting to remember last year, but the youth that saw the field is a year older and a year wiser. Dimmitt will fight for a final playoff spot.

Best Game

Canadian at Childress, 7 p.m. Nov. 8

There is going to be a ton of football played between now and Nov. 8. However, if everything works out, we’re looking at a district title game between two great rivals on the final night of the regular season at one of the most heralded football stadiums in all of Texas on Charlie Johnston Field at Fair Park Stadium.

District 2-3A

1. Idalou: Big, physical, and loves the to keep the ball from their opponent. That’s been the Idalou Wildcats m.o. for decades and a successful one at that. The pieces are all there for another deep playoff run for Idalou.

2. Muleshoe: The Mules make the move into Division II and become an instant threat when it comes to Region I. Muleshoe boasts one of the top offenses under veteran QB Nathan Martens, it will be up to the defense to do their part.

3. Lubbock Roosevelt: Head coach Carter Robinson has done a great job heading into his second season as head coach. Like Idalou, the Eagles are a very physical team with a very complicated option offense to stop.

4. Littlefield: QB Chip Green is a do-it-all player that gives the Wildcats a chance any time he’s on the field. Fortunately, Green has capable hands surrounding him to help make Littlefield successful.

5. Slaton: It wasn’t the first season former Clarendon coach Clint Conkin envisioned when he took over the Tigers program a year ago. The good news for Conkin is that Slaton brings back 15 starters to help make year two a smoother transition.

Best Game

Idalou at Muleshoe, 7 p.m. Nov. 8

Like Canadian-Childress, this matchup falls on the final night of the regular season. Talk about a clash of styles. Muleshoe may throw it more times in the first quarter than Idalou does the entire 48 minutes. This has the makings of a dandy.