Regional Outlook

Region II is expected to be dominated by District 5-4A Division I and 7-4A Division I, while the two inner-city districts may see struggles come playoff time.

5-4A Division I is one of the state’s deepest districts as all six teams made the playoffs last year, headlined by state runner-up Waco La Vega who in 2018 won the title and a year ago fell to Carthage in the state title game. The Pirates are loaded across the board and will be the consensus number one team in the state. Stephenville, if their young QB can mature has enough at the other spots to hold off Midlothian Heritage and a young but talented Brownwood squad that went 11-2 a year ago. Alvarado, a district champion a year ago is a tough-luck fifth place pick.

Fort Worth ISD owns six of the eight spots in 6-4A Division I, but it’s Kennedale who is the heavy favorite to win another district title, but the big question with Richard Barrett’s squad is are they a viable contender once the playoffs get rolling. Old rivals Dunbar and Eastern Hills look to be solid contenders for second and third, while Castleberry will have to hold off a veteran Benbrook squad for the final playoff spot.

7-4A Division I is another loaded district where multiple playoff caliber teams will be home after Week 11, the favorite once again looks to be Argyle who is the chief challenger to end Waco La Vega’s dominance in Region II the past two seasons. The Eagles are loaded, but they’ll have to deal with a pair of worthy contenders in Melissa and Paris, Paris isn’t quite as consistent as Melissa, but when the Wildcats are playing well, they can beat anyone in the region. Kaufman and Terrell, both down from Class 5A will be the chief contenders for the fourth and final playoff slot.

 Rounding out Region II is 8-4A Division I, which features six Dallas ISD programs. Wilmer-Hutchins is the clear favorite in this group, but Dallas Carter will be right in the mix battling with the Eagles for district honors. Dallas Lincoln and Dallas Roosevelt, both moving up from Division II appear to be contenders for the final two playoff spots, but don’t count out North Dallas. The Bulldogs made some strides a year ago and look to be much improved, this may be their best chance in a long time to break their playoff drought which goes back to 1952.

District Predictions

District 5-4A Division I

1. Waco La Vega
2. Stephenville
3. Midlothian Heritage
4. Brownwood
5. Alvarado
6. Waxahachie Life

District 6-4A Division I

1. Kennedale
2. Fort Worth Dunbar
3. Fort Worth Eastern Hills
4. River Oaks Castleberry
5. Benbrook
6. Fort Worth Diamond Hill
7. Fort Worth Western Hills
8. Fort Worth Carter-Riverside

District 7-4A Division I

1. Argyle
2. Melissa
3. Paris
4. Kaufman
5. Terrell
6. Anna
7. Carrollton Ranchview

District 8-4A Division I

1. Wilmer-Hutchins
2. Dallas Carter
3. Dallas Lincoln
4. Dallas Roosevelt
5. North Dallas
6. Dallas Pinkston

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W5 Waco La Vega vs F6 River Oaks Castleberry

R8 Dallas Carter vs T7 Paris

W6 Kennedale vs F5 Brownwood

R7 Melissa vs T8 Dallas Lincoln

W7 Argyle vs F8 Dallas Roosevelt

R6 Fort Worth Dunbar vs T5 Midlothian Heritage

W8 Wilmer-Hutchins vs F7 Kaufman

R5 Stephenville vs T6 Fort Worth Eastern Hills

Playoff Sleeper

Stephenville: The ‘Jackets would face a possible third round showdown with Argyle, but Stephenville has gone toe to toe with the Eagles in their two previous playoff games, splitting the matchups. The key for Stephenville is going to be QB play, they are experienced at the other spots and if their young QB play is operating at a high level come playoff time, this is a team that could be a difficult out in Region II.        

Regional Winner

Waco La Vega over Argyle: For the third straight year these two meet up in the playoffs with a ton on the line, the Pirates in the playoffs seem to have the formula to take the Eagles down and this La Vega team may be their most loaded yet. It’ll be close and it’ll be physical, but Argyle’s gotta prove it in the playoffs before I can pick them to advance out of this tough region.