A way-to-early look at the best for 2017 in 3A football

Josh Pratt - Herald Sports

After going through all of the all-district numbers from 2016, I have managed to narrow down the list to 20 teams that I feel deserve a spot in the preseason rankings. These rankings are based on last year’s success, what you have returning, plus the tradition that the program has.

My preseason top 20

1. Yoakum - 13 all-district players return from 2016.

2. Cameron Yoe - 15 all-district players return from 2016.

3. Hallettsville - 11 all-district players return from 2016.

4. Mineola - 8 all-district players return from 2016.

5. Teague - 7 all-district players return from 2016.

6. Rockdale - 12 all-district players return from 2016.

7. Malakoff - 9 all-district players return from 2016.

8. Wall - 12 all-district players return from 2016.

9. Brock - 10 all-district players return from 2016.

10. Grandview - 13 all-district players return from 2016.

11. Jefferson - 13 all-district players return from 2016.

12. Franklin - 9 all-district players return from 2016.

13. Edna - 12 all-district players return from 2016.

14. Whitesboro - 9 all-district players return from 2016.

15. Goliad - 7 all-district players return from 2016.

16. Pottsboro - 4 all-district players return from 2016.

17. Woodville - 15 all-district players return from 2016.

18. Farmersville - 8 all-district players return from 2016.

19. Coldspring - 9 all-district players return from 2016.

T20. Howe - 5 all-district players return from 2016.

T20. Sunnyvale - 8 all-district players return from 2016.

T20. Littlefield - 3 all-district players return from 2017.

T20. Muleshoe - 3 all-district players return from 2017.

The other top preseason polls will start coming out this summer when the like of Dave Campbell's Texas Football and TheOldCoach release their magazines. This is my fourth year to come out with a preseason poll. To draw a comparison, 18 of the 20 teams I had ranked in 2016 were also included in Dave Campbell’s rankings.

Though there are more determining factors to be added in at a later time, this poll will give you a good idea of where these teams should stand entering the new season.

Region I

There are a total of four teams from region I included in the rankings. Overall, this region would have been considered down in 2016 just based on the depth of quality teams in addition to how Wall lost to Mineola (50-8) in the state semifinals.

The biggest surprise in the playoffs came when Wall upset Brock in the quarterfinals, 28-17. Those two were well ahead of the pack in the region, and at this point I do not see that changing. Wall (12 all-district players) and Brock (10 all-district players) both return solid talent and will be threats to make deep runs.

Region II

Mineola represented this region and ended up winning their next two games in impressive fashion en route to the school’s first ever state championship.

In 2017, this region could be up for grabs. Mineola has won it the past three years but lost the most talented senior class in school history - including QB Jeremiah Crawford and RB Chantz Perkins - both of which started in the 2014 and 2016 state championship games.

The Yellowjackets are the highest ranked team in the region, but at the same time I feel they have the potential to be the most overrated team in part due to the unknown in upcoming talent.

There are a total of seven teams included in the rankings - the most of any region. Grandview finished as bi-district finalist a year ago, but return 13-all-district players. Jefferson, a team that beat White Oak in district, also returns 13 honorees. Whitesboro, Pottsboro, Farmersville, Howe and Sunnyvale are all ranked.

Region III

For most of last season, region III was regarded as being the toughest and deepest in 3A division one. That did not stop Yoakum, the region IV representative, from shocking Malakoff in a classic from DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.

Despite the disappointing finish in 2016, region III will still be home to some very strong and talented football teams this upcoming season.

The Yoemen come in as my preseason favorite, as the 15 returning all-district players are more than any other team in my top 10. Woodville, at number 17, is the only other team to return the same amount.

I feel that Teague will be the top contender to Cameron in the region next season. The Lions only return 7 all-district starters, but have the quarterback, running back, and top receiver returning from what was a younger squad.

As with last season, I see Rockdale and Malakoff being major players and threats to Cameron and Teague in their respective districts. Franklin, Woodville and Coldspring will provide that aforementioned depth.

Region IV

Dropping from 4A to 3A, it was known that Yoakum was going to be a major player within the region. The Bulldogs ended up playing 16 games and fell just short of winning the state championship in December at AT&T Stadium.

With 13 all-district players returning, including twin division one recruits Jordan and Josh Moore, the pieces will be there to make another long run in the playoffs. Jordan committed to Texas A&M in December and Josh has offers from A&M and other major DI programs across the country. Both are four-star athletes.

Hallettsville was the right there with Yoakum last season. The Brahmas actually won the first meeting between the two in district (35-28) before falling in the final seconds in the quarterfinals (27-23). Edna, coming in at 13, also defeated Yoakum in district play. Goliad, sitting at 15, played Yoakum to a two-point game (23-21) in the playoffs.