Educated Guesses: 3A Division II
Kickoff to the 2026 season is getting closer and closer, and the time has come to take a stab at how things will play out in each district featuring Big Country football teams.
I call them educated guesses, like your teachers used to, because I feel I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the upcoming season after speaking with area coaches for the 2026 edition of Big Country Blitz.
For the record, last season Big Country Blitz got six out of eight playoff picks correct in 3A Division II.
Can Merkel and Breckenridge overcome being put in a district with four quality opponents in the Wichita Falls area?
District five has eight teams, as Comanche, Eastland, and Dublin will have to face a big district that includes Hamilton, who won it all in 2A DI last season. Who will come out on top in this large and deep district?
Breckenridge makes the move from 3A DI to 3A DII this season, but they’re still in a very tough district. The same goes for Merkel, who made the playoffs a year ago but will have its work cut out for it to return.
The Bucks and Badgers will take on Henrietta, Holliday, Jacksboro, and Wichita Falls City View. All four were playoff teams in 2025, and all four won at least one game in the postseason.
Both Breckenridge and Merkel have the returning talent to be playoff teams again, but I’m leaning towards the Buckaroos with 16 returning starters to have the slightly better chance of breaking through.
Photo: SMcCowen Sports Photography
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Henrietta
2. Holliday
3. Jacksboro
4. City View
5. Breckenridge
6. Merkel
Photo: Randy Day
You don’t see eight-team districts that often in this part of the state, but a handful of our Big Country 3A DII teams will be in one the next two years.
Hamilton won it all in 2A DI last year and will be a strong contender in this district as a 3A DII team as well.
Tolar went just 4-7 in 2025, but their 18 returning starters give them the slight edge in this preseason guess. Comanche could certainly make a run at winning the district as well.
Dublin and Eastland are coming off tough seasons and hope to turn things around and be in the playoff chase when district play comes around.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Hamilton
2. Tolar
3. Comanche
4. Clifton
5. Millsap
6. Rio Vista
7. Dublin
8. Eastland
