Mike Graham

Carthage, the defending Class 4A Division I state champion, will begin the season as our top-ranked 4A team at large.

Will Lufkin surprise either The Woodlands or West Brook? Where do we see it and the rest of District 12-6A?

Kilgore defeated Carthage last season to claim a share of the district title. Carthage responded by winning state. In this year's matchup, the stakes could be just as high.

The Gilmer Buckeyes are ranked No. 2 in our preseason Class 4A poll.

The Kilgore Bulldogs are No. 3 in our preseason Class 4A poll.

There are several teams in the district with potential to break out this season and several players with opportunity to do the same.

The 16-5A opener between Marshall and Texas High checks in at No. 4 on our list of the top 25 games of 2017.

The Henderson Lions are ranked No. 4 in our preseason Class 4A poll.

The Liberty-Eylau Leopards are ranked No. 5 in our preseason Class 4A poll.

The East Texas trio of Van, Athens + Brownsboro all hope to make it out of District 8-4A Division I.