2017 ETSN.fm Preseason Poll

No one knew quite what to expect from Winona once the 2016 playoffs arrived. The Wildcats had lost three of their first four games, and dropped back-to-back contests in district. But once the postseason got going, Winona morphed into a different team, journeying all the way to the state quarterfinals...

There's not much doubt here in the preseason Union Grove will contest for the District 10-2A Division I crown. Sixteen returning starters and head coach Roger Adams' track record at a historically downtrodden school will put those kinds of expectations on a program. We think the Lions are in for a pretty good season, so they will begin the year ranked sixth in the Class 2A/Private Schools poll. Re

It had been a few years since Elysian Fields experienced a season like the one it had in 2016. The Yellowjackets breezed through the regular season unbeaten before ultimately falling to Newton in the regional semifinals. EF's 12-1 record and trip to the third round were the best it accomplished since 2012's run to the state semifinals...

The Guard made a decent turnaround last season under head coach Scott Ryle and the team is tied for the most returning starters with Tyler Bishop Gorman among the four TAPPS Division II, District 2 squads that made the postseason in 2016. Those factors could be big this season.

In a region full of state-title contenders, it was the Arp Tigers who ultimately came out on top in Region III of Class 3A Division II. Arp, after knocking off previously unbeaten and regional favorite Newton in the Region III championship game, succumbed to Boling in the state semifinals...

The Crusaders could be in for an interesting season with Randy McFarlin replacing head coach Coby Gipson and the loss of star receiver Judah Bell to SMU. Interesting certainly does not mean bad. We're picking Tyler Bishop Gorman eighth in our preseason Class 2A/Private Schools poll.

Malakoff enjoyed its best season in school history last year, reaching the state semifinal round for the first time. The dream season was cut short with a heartbreaking 28-24 loss to Yoakum. The Tigers are hoping to finish the job this season...

The 2016 season was a banner year for Tyler Grace Community. Will the program keep on keeping on with semi-new quarterback Brayden Stone or are the Cougars going to slip back a bit without star quarterback Christopher Wilhelmi and a handful of other recognized players from last year's state quarterfinalist? That's the big question in Tyler and for TAPPS Division II, District 2 at large.

Region III in Class 3A Division II may be the most competitive in the entire state, regardless of classification. The Crockett Bulldogs can attest to that. Despite fielding one of the most talented teams, Crockett fell short of claiming a regional championship by two rounds...

Richard Strickland gave Overton its first winning season since 2012 his first year on the job. What will he do for an encore? We think the Mustangs have a real shot to become one of East Texas' premier Class 2A Division II programs as early as this season. They'll begin the campaign ranked 10th in our Class 2A/Private Schools Poll.