BULLARD — Bullard, Troup and Brook Hill all share a common thread according to Texas Football magazine, and Panther, Tiger and Guard fans will not be too pleased to learn what the three school's have in common.

The trio are all moving into new districts — loops that are far more formidable than the leagues that each played in for the past two campaigns.

Apparently for that reason, those at Texas Football do not see Bullard, Troup or Brook Hill having the firepower to earn a playoff spot in 2012.

But, games are not won and lost on paper or in the pages of a magazine and where there is a will, there is a way, and if history repeats itself, the will to win at Bullard, Troup and at Brook Hill can never be discounted.

      Bullard Panthers

Head coach Shane Wilson's clan had their best year on the gridiron in 18 season a year ago when the Panthers posted a 8-5 record and advanced into the regional semi-final.

Normally, with 17 starters back hopes would be high, but Bullard's new home is in 16-3A, which has been deemed as “District of Doom II” by many.

Hands down, the toughest Class 3A league in the state, 16-3A is home to Chapel Hill, Gilmer and Henderson — a trio of schools who have recently won Class 3A state championships — in addition to talent-rich Kilgore, who is dropping down from Class 4A, where they posted a 9-5 record a year ago and made it as far as the regional finals.

Texas Football has Gilmer, Henderson and Chapel Hill finishing in the top-three slots, with Kilgore taking fourth place.

Rounding out the order of finish is Bullard in fifth, followed by Gladewater and Longview Spring Hill.

Despite the stellar company, Bullard quarterback Colton Mebane is the district's pre-season rushing and passing leader.

Mebane threw for 1,150 yards and nine touchdowns last year while rushing for just under 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns.

      Troup Tigers

Troup returns a whopping 26 lettermen off of last season's 6-5 bi-district finalist unit.

Unfortunately, the Maroons must share a district with Tatum, a state semi-finalist last year and  Jefferson, who usually has its share of studs suited out on Friday night, and let's not forget about White Oak, too.

Tatum checks in at No. 1 in the district, while occupying the No. 3 spot in the state Class 2A  pre-season poll.

Jefferson, with 14 starters back is slotted second, followed by White Oak, who went 5-5 in 2011 and missed the playoffs.

Troup is forecasted to finish fourth, ahead of Harmony and Sabine.

The Tigers are coached by Chuck Griffin.

With an enrollment of 317, the Tigers are the smallest school in the district, having 131 students less that Tatum, the largest school in the conference.

      Brook Hill Guard

The Guard are also taking a rather significant class jump, moving from TAPPS Division III, where they earned a state championship a year ago, under head coach Terry Pirtle's watchful eye, to TAPPS Division II, District 2.

Texas Football likes Dallas Parish Episcopal to win the title. The Panthers, who bring back 14 starters, were a DII bi-district finalist last year.

The Chargers from Dallas Christian experienced a great deal of success in 2011, going 7-4 and into the quarterfinal round, and apparently for that reason Texas Football predicts the Crusaders as the loop runner up this year.

Tyler Grace Community, fresh off a 9-4 finish 12 months ago, is in the three hole, with Brook Hill picked fourth.

Graduation was not kind to the Guard as the team lost 18 lettermen from 2011, but many key contributors, including quarterback Will Weathers, are expected back.

Rounding out the pecking order is Carrollton Prince of Peace, Dallas Shelton, Cedar Hill Trinity Christian and Tyler T. K. Gorman.