The 2026 UIL 3A Division II playoffs begin November 12 through 14. AT&T Stadium will host the state championship on December 17 at 11 a.m. Central.
This is a bracket where I can make a championship case for 10 teams. Jefferson is my pick, but there is no overwhelming favorite.
Newton is a close second, followed by Idalou, West Rusk and East Bernard. However, Jefferson, Newton, West Rusk and Troup all share Region III. Several contenders will be finished before the state semifinals.
Region I: Idalou Leads a Competitive Field
The Idalou Wildcats enter at 10-0 after defeating Slaton 42-21. Their regular season also included a 46-35 victory over Shallowater. That result strengthens my confidence against the better teams waiting in this bracket.
First comes Dimmitt, with Coahoma a potential area-round opponent. The Bulldogs open against Holliday, but I favor Idalou in that projected second-round matchup.
Meanwhile, Canadian finished 7-3 after shutting out Amarillo River Road 59-0. The Wildcats open against Muleshoe and could face Idalou in the regional semifinals.
On the opposite half, Jacksboro enters at 9-1 after defeating Wichita Falls City View 56-6. The Tigers open against San Angelo Grape Creek. I consider Jacksboro a legitimate championship contender, not simply the strongest team on its side of the region.
Ultimately, I have Idalou defeating Canadian and then Jacksboro. The Wildcats get my semifinal selection, but neither potential matchup offers much room for mistakes.
Region II: Millsap Gets a Narrow Nod
After defeating Clifton 41-38, the Millsap Bulldogs enter the postseason at 8-2. Running back Braun Johnson has 2,565 rushing yards, averaging 256.5 per game.
For me, Johnson gives Millsap a way to sustain drives and control possession when games tighten. I am picking the Bulldogs to emerge from this region, but Grand Saline makes that a difficult call.
First comes Trinity Leadership, with Edgewood or Valley View awaiting the winner. Millsap occupies the opposite half from Grand Saline and Bells.
Meanwhile, the Grand Saline Indians enter at 10-0 and open against Leonard. The Bells Panthers finished 8-2 and face Lone Oak.
Should both advance twice, Grand Saline and Bells would meet in the regional semifinals. I am taking the Indians in that matchup.
From there, I have Millsap defeating Grand Saline for the regional championship. The Bulldogs sit outside my top 10 overall, but the bracket gives them a path to the Final Four.
Region III: Jefferson Gets the Pick Over Newton
The Jefferson Bulldogs enter at 9-1 after defeating Troup 42-7. They also beat West Rusk 47-10. Those results against two other leading contenders are a major reason I have Jefferson first in this closely matched field.
First comes Redwater, followed by Teague or Hardin if the Bulldogs advance. Elsewhere, Arp opens against Hooks, while New Waverly faces Buffalo. I have Arp defeating New Waverly before falling to Jefferson in round three.
On the opposite half, Newton closed the regular season by defeating Woodville 68-12. The Eagles produced 266 passing yards and 249 rushing yards in that victory.
For me, that balance keeps Newton just behind Jefferson in the championship conversation. The Eagles remain capable of winning it all.
First comes Elkhart. The Troup Tigers open against De Kalb, creating a potential second-round meeting with Newton. I rank Troup sixth overall, yet I have the Tigers exiting in the area round.
Meanwhile, West Rusk finished 8-2 after beating Winona 63-0. The Raiders also defeated Troup 29-27 a week earlier. They open against New Boston and are my projected third-round opponent for Newton.
Ultimately, I have Newton defeating Troup and West Rusk before facing Jefferson for the regional title. I am taking Jefferson in that matchup. Newton remains my second-ranked team overall, but only one can reach the semifinals.
Region IV: East Bernard Ahead of George West and Poth
The East Bernard Brahmas enter at 9-1 after defeating Industrial 56-42. Their offense can produce, but I would want a stronger defensive performance against this region’s other contenders.
First comes Anderson-Shiro. Elsewhere, Blanco and Hebbronville meet immediately, meaning one of my teams to watch will exit in round one. I have Blanco advancing to a third-round meeting with East Bernard, with the Brahmas winning.
On the opposite half, George West finished 10-0 after defeating Cotulla 22-16. The Longhorns rushed for 319 yards in that victory and open against Nixon-Smiley.
Following that opener, Lexington could provide the next test. The Eagles begin against Boling, but George West gets my pick in their potential area-round meeting.
Meanwhile, the Poth Pirates enter at 9-1 after shutting out San Antonio Young Men’s Leadership Academy 58-0. They open against Santa Rosa.
Poth’s only loss came against Shiner, 14-7. That is another reason I would not dismiss the Pirates despite placing them tenth overall. My ranking reflects a crowded field, not a significant weakness in Poth.
From there, I have George West defeating Poth in the regional semifinals. Ultimately, East Bernard gets the regional championship pick over the Longhorns. All three remain capable of making this prediction look wrong.
Final Four and State Champion Predictions
My predicted Final Four features the Idalou Wildcats, Millsap Bulldogs, Jefferson Bulldogs and East Bernard Brahmas.
In the semifinals, I am picking Idalou over Millsap and Jefferson over East Bernard. That would send Jefferson and Idalou to Arlington.
Although Newton ranks second overall, the Eagles share Jefferson’s region. Under this projection, my top two teams would meet in the regional championship rather than the state title game.
Ultimately, I am taking Jefferson over Idalou for the championship. There is very little separation between the leading contenders, but the Bulldogs get my pick to finish the job.
My prediction for the 2026 UIL 3A Division II state champion: Jefferson Bulldogs.
