2016 Region Outlooks: 3A DII Region III — Can anyone spoil Waskom's three-peat?

[caption id="attachment_22777" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Waskom Photo by Ronnie Sartors[/caption] The UIL realigned the districts for the 2016 and 2017 football seasons in February. Realignment doesn’t just change district races – championships can be decided with new groupings competing once the playoffs begin. We’ll take a closer look at the frontrunners in each region throughout the spring doldrums.Previous Outlooks:6A Region I / 6A Region II / 6A Region III / 6A Region IV / 5A Region I / 5A Region II / 5A Region III / 5A Region IV / 4A DI Region I / 4A DI Region II / 4A DI Region III / 4A DI Region IV / 4A DII Region I / 4A DII Region II / 4A DII Region III / 4A DII Region IV / 3A DI Region I / 3A DI Region II / 3A DI Region III / 3A DI Region IV / 3A DII Region I / 3A DII Region IIClass 3A Division II Region III Even with the loss of Franklin to a higher division, Region III improved after realignment. Teams like Waskom, the two-time defending state champion, as well as West Rusk and Arp moved from Region II. This affects the rest of the region, but also Region IV. Waskom owned Region II over the past two seasons and enter the season as favorites to claim another title despite heavy losses to graduation. West Rusk was Waskom’s biggest competition and Region II and join Waskom in District 9. Arp is also in the fold in District 9. Crockett and Newton remain the most formidable holdovers from the previous Region III. Waskom Whitney Keeling’s team repeated in impression fashion. It is always harder to stay at the top than it is to reach the top, and the Wildcats passed the first test despite not entering the season as a clear favorite. Waskom is now firmly implanted as a burgeoning dynasty at the Class 3A Division II level. A three-peat would cement the legacy of this program. To do that, Keeling must replace playmakers on both sides the ball. The Wildcats successfully did just that entering last year. A familiar set of challenges followed Waskom to Region III, and the road to a state title game gets easier with a matchup against a Region IV team waiting the Region III champion in the state playoffs. West Rusk The Raiders are stuck in the growing shadow of Waskom. John Frazier hopes 2016 is the year it turns around. His team only lost two games in 2015 – both to Waskom. The first was a 40-0 blowout loss in district play. West Rusk played better in the rematch, but fell short, 57-28, in the rematch. There is no shame in a 12-2 season and an appearance in the regional final. Not much changes for West Rusk in a new region. The road to a district and regional championship goes through Waskom. The Raiders could get two shots at it again this season. Arp A three-game losing streak to start district play put Arp in a bad position with five games left. The Tigers had lost the previous two games of the season out of district to Franklin and Hughes Springs. Expectations were dim with a 1-5 record and a playoff berth looking bleak. All Arp did was win seven straight and advance to the regional semifinals before Waskom beat Dale Irwin’s team for the second time in the season on a way to another state title. Arp no longer must deal with Waskom or West Rusk, making a district championship possible and a run at a regional championship much easier. Newton Crockett reached the Region III championship game, but it was Newton that won district. The Eagles ran into Franklin the week earlier than Crockett in the state playoffs, as the season ended in the third week after wins over Buffalo and Marlin in the bi-district and area rounds, respectively. Newton struggled in non-district play after a win over Tatum to start the season. The Eagles recovered, however, finishing the season strong.

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