GRIDIRON GRADES: WEEK 9

With district races taking shape in the 2023 Texas high school football season, check out the current district standings, Week 8 scores and the upcoming Week 9 schedule for Class 3A, 2A & 1A teams across the region

Across the Heart of Texas, the Class 3A and 2A district races continue to take shape in 2023 Texas high school football season, as the race to lock down postseason berths begins to heat up. And with playoff spots in the balance, every district game played can carry postseason implications.

In Class 1A six-man football, all districts across the region will be in full showdown mode as every district game becomes a do-or-die situation.

So with that in mind, check out the current Class 3A, 2A and 1A district standings for teams across the 10-county Heart of Texas region, along with last week’s scores and the upcoming Week 8 schedule.

CLASS 3A

With Class 3A, Division I district races well underway, the cream has already begun to rise to the top. In District 7-3A, DI, the undefeated Whitney Wildcats (5-0, 7-0) and the Grandview Zebras (6-0, 6-1) moved one week close to a district championship showdown. But Grandview must get past a road trip to play the West Trojans (4-1, 5-2) first, while Whitney will host postseason hopeful the Maypearl Panthers (3-2, 5-2).

By posting their fourth straight District 11-3A, DI win, the Lorena Leopards (4-0, 6-2) moved just ahead of the idle top-ranked Franklin Lions (3-0, 7-0), setting this week’s showdown for the district crown while Little River-Academy (2-1, 6-1) remains within striking distance.

In Class 3A, DII, district competition began in both District 5-3A, DII and District 13-3A, DII last week as the Jacksboro Tigers (2-0, 7-0) remained undefeated and the defending district champion Lexington Eagles (2-0, 5-2) re-established their frontrunner status.

CLASS 2A

Class 2A, DI’s third-ranked Tolar Rattlers (3-0, 6-1) solidified their place as the Heart of Texas’s top team by knocking off challengers DeLeon Bearcats (3-1, 6-2) for sole possession of first place in District 5-2A, DI. In District 8-2A, DI, the Marlin Bulldogs (3-0, 4-2) knocked off the arch-rival and previously undefeated Riesel Indians (3-0, 6-0) to take over first place all alone.

But few surprises can be found in Class 2A, DII as the second-ranked Mart Panthers (3-0, 7-0) enjoyed an open week in District 10-2A, DII, while the Axtell Longhorns (4-0, 8-0) held off a surprising challenge from the Italy Gladiators (3-1, 4-4) to become the clear frontrunner in District 7-2A, DII.

CLASS 1A: SIX-MAN

In Class 1A, DI, the third-ranked Abbott Panthers (1-0, 7-0) will face a challenge when they visit the Coolidge Yellow Jackets (2-0, 6-2) in District 12-1A, DI after Coolidge edged previously state-ranked left Aquilla Cougars (0-2, 6-2). In the meantime, the fifth-ranked Jonesboro Eagles (2-0, 7-1) continues to roll in District 14-1A, DI, while the Milford Bulldogs (2-0, 5-3) holds down the top spot in District 11-1A, DI.

In Class 1A, DII action, District 10-1A, DII opens league play this week with what appears to be a wide open battle between the surprising Kopperl Eagles (5-2), the Mount Calm Panthers (4-3) and the Bynum Bulldogs (4-3). But don’t count out the defending district champion Morgan Eagles (2-4).

Undefeated and fourth-ranked Oglesby Tigers (7-0) looks like the clear frontrunner going into District 11-1A, DII action, while the 14th-ranked Iredell Dragons (6-1) looks like the cream of the crop in District 12-1A, DII. But in the five-team District 15-1A, DII, the Sidney Eagles (1-0, 5-2) appear to be in a three-team battle with the Zephyr Bulldogs (2-0, 6-2) and Blanket Tigers (1-0, 4-3).

Don’t forget to check in with THE SPORTS BUZZ every Monday morning for the Gridiron Grades standings for all high school football teams in the Heart of Texas.