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Even if by default, 20-3A looks to be Mexia’s for the taking, though Palestine may have a final say in that matter when the teams meet in Week 7.

Palestine won 20-3A last year and welcomes area reps Groesbeck and Mexia to the fold. The Blackcats return enough firepower to warrant a preseason favorite tag, but Palestine has a good shot at a district title and wants to avenge a bad loss to Mexia in the bi-district playoffs last year.

Mexia Blackcats

Head coach: Paul Weaver (1st season)

All-time: 510-390-36 since 1910

Playoff history: 23-22-1 in 25 trips, most recently 2009; 1 state championship (1989)

Returning: 14 lettermen; 5 offensive, 5 defensive starters

Doug Gentry
Jerry Larson / Waco Tribune-Herald

Outlook: Last year, Trae Davis and Doug Gentry (right) shared the spotlight for an outstanding Mexia offense. That high-octane attack led Mexia to its first win over China Spring in ages, a shared district title and a near upset of eventual state champ Carthage in the area playoffs.

With Davis graduated, it’s Gentry’s show this year. The unflappable running back has more than 3,600 yards and 39 TDs over the last two years.

With Gentry’s reputation exploding, the focus will be finding pieces around him to stop defenses from stacking eight in the box. Into that void steps D.J. Weathers, who played at wide receiver and some in mop-up duty last year. He’ll have Daleon Robinson, who had 845 yards and 9 TDs last year, to throw to.

A quick defense returns an absurdly athletic secondary, including Davonta Freeman, Broderick Reeves and Mister Carroll, who had three picks last year.

Fairfield Eagles

Head coach: Darrell Piske (3rd season: 4-16)

All-time: 358-363-25

Playoff history: 11-15 in 16 trips, most recently 2004; 0 state championships

Returning: 18 lettermen; 7 offensive, 8 defensive starters

Outlook: If there’s any solace Fairfield will take away from its one-win season last year, it’s a supremely experienced returning cast. No fewer than 15 starters return, including quarterback Justin Terry, who Piske said has reversed some of his turnover issues from a year ago. Not to be overlooked is kicker Rudy Castillo, who was a weapon last year.

Darian Scott, who Piske said was the team’s best player last year, is back at receiver after breaking his leg in two places in the first district game. The Eagles also return a pair of 400-yard rushers in Robert Durham and Anthony Price, the district newcomer of the year last year.

Groesbeck Goats

Head coach: Stephen Burrow (4th season: 5-25)

All-time: 380-451-32 since 1915

Playoff history: 11-10 in 11 trips, most recently 2001; 1 state championship (1991)

Returning: 17 lettermen; 4 offensive, 4 defensive starters

Outlook: With no JV team, the Goats took some lumps with a lot of sophomores playing last year. If those players grew up in the offseason, Groesbeck may be able to claw its way out of the cellar.

Coach’s son Chase Burrow, a senior, steps into the quarterback role, and he’ll hand off to converted defender Michael Graves, a moderately sized 5-foot-10, 170-pound running back coach Burrow says “runs smart and runs tough.” Receiver Stephen Ruen, who caught 55 balls last year, moves from inside to outside receiver.

The secondary is the strength defensively. Eric Jackson will lead the way at corner.

— Parchman