Regional Outlook

With the last two regional champions gone (San Saba to Region I and Valley View to Class 3A-Division II) the race in 2A-Division I Region II is as wide open as any region in the state of Texas. The fact that there really is no clear-cut favorite could make this playoff bracket one of the most interesting to watch come November.

Lindsay moved up to Division I in 2018 and the Knights have fared well in their new digs and appear primed for a repeat district title with eight starters back on both sides of the ball from a team that made the area playoffs a year ago. Collinsville brings back a load of experience as well and should be the top challenger for Lindsay. The race for the last two playoff slots will be a tough one as Tom Bean, Alvord and Trenton all can make a strong case. Tioga, who moved up from six-man two years ago brings back plenty of experience as well, but the Bulldogs may be a year away from competing for a playoff spot in this tough loop.

6-2A Division I is led by Bogota Rivercrest, fresh off an 11-2 mark in 2019, but the Rebels suffered key graduation losses. They’ll get a serious test from a veteran Wolfe City squad with fourteen returning starters and Cooper who could be primed to take a major step forward after struggling in recent seasons. Honey Grove had a fantastic 2019 season as well but they bring back just five starters, can they hold off Alba-Golden for the district’s final playoff spot?

With San Saba gone after realignment, the door is wide open for perennial Central Texas power Crawford to make a big move in 2020 and get back among the region’s contenders, the Pirates will be under a new head coach but don’t expect much change. Hamilton and Tolar both dropping from 3A-Division II after making the playoffs will give this district some added depth making it the best district in the region top to bottom. Bosqueville is the likely fourth playoff team as with seventeen returning starters, the Bulldogs in another district might be a title contender.

If you are looking for a sleeper in Region II, look no further than Italy. The Gladiators bring back nineteen starters from an area round playoff team in 2019 and Craig Horn’s squad has speed that is a real luxury in this region. Marlin under second year head coach David Haynes, Jr. could be a fast riser in this district and gets the second-place pick over Dawson. Cayuga should outlast Axtell and Kerens for the district’s final playoff spot.

District Predictions

District 5-2A Division I

1. Lindsay
2. Collinsville
3. Tom Bean
4. Alvord
5. Trenton
6. Tioga

District 6-2A Division I

1. Bogota Rivercrest
2. Wolfe City
3. Cooper
4. Honey Grove
5. Alba-Golden
6. Celeste
7. Como-Pickton

District 7-2A Division I

1. Crawford
2. Hamilton
3. Tolar
4. Bosqueville
5. Valley Mills
6. Itasca
7. Rio Vista

District 8-2A Division I

1. Italy
2. Marlin
3. Dawson
4. Cayuga
5. Axtell
6. Kerens

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W5 Lindsay vs F6 Honey Grove

R8 Marlin vs T7 Tolar

W6 Bogota Rivercrest vs F5 Alvord

R7 Hamilton vs T8 Dawson

W7 Crawford vs F8 Cayuga

R6 Wolfe City vs T5 Tom Bean

W8 Italy vs F7 Bosqueville

R5 Collinsville vs T6 Cooper

Playoff Sleeper

Italy: The Gladiators have the skill talent and experience to win the region, their tale will be told in the trenches, especially as they face a potential regional semifinal clash with regional favorite Crawford.     

Regional Winner

Crawford over Lindsay: The Pirates and their methodical ground game controls the clock and keeps the ball away from the high-flying Lindsay attack in an entertaining regional final that will feature contrasting styles.