REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Only twenty teams comprise this region where significant travel will be at play even inside of district play. Dumas has been knocking on the door of winning the region, but can the Demons hold off strong challenges inside of their own district, from the Sun City and from regional newcomer Brownwood?

Out in El Paso, the Riverside Rangers fresh off an 11-2 mark a year ago expect to once again be the team to beat in 1-4A Division I, but a strong challenger in El Paso Austin drops down from 5A after making the playoffs a year ago. Bowie and Irvin, also down from Class 5A should be in the post-season mix as well.

There are some new faces in 2-4A Division II with Brownwood and Lubbock Estacado joining Andrews, Big Spring and San Angelo Lake View in this heavy travel loop. Brownwood may be the team to beat in this district as the Lions move over from a loaded Region II district and they return seventeen starters. Andrews brings a veteran squad back and should challenge for the district title along with always talented Estacado who jumps back to Division I after four years in Division II. Big Spring has made big strides the past two seasons and the Steers should be in the playoff mix.

Up in the Panhandle, Dumas once again gets the nod to win their sixth straight district title but can they break through and win a regional title after a fourth round appearance in 2019 and back-to-back regional semifinal appearances. Canyon Randall, dropping down from 5A should be a major challenger to the Demons along with the 2020 regional champion Canyon High. Hereford, who earned a playoff spot a year ago also expects to be improved and should be the other playoff team in this improved district. 

4-4A Division I still goes through Springtown as the Porcupines have developed into a regional powerhouse winning the regional title in 2019 and playing for the regional title in 2020 and 2021. With the departure of Wichita Falls Hirschi to Division II, SHS enters the year as the favorite. Decatur could be back on the rise with a new head coach and the transfer of a FBS prospect at RB from College Station. Wichita Falls High will be a force as well with the drop down from 5A and plenty of experience returning. Mineral Wells and Burkburnett both should be improved as well and they’ll battle for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-4A Division I

1.  El Paso Riverside

2.  El Paso Austin

3.  El Paso Bowie

4.  El Paso Irvin

5.  San Elizario

District 2-4A Division I

1.  Brownwood

2.  Andrews

3.  Lubbock Estacado

4.  Big Spring

5.  San Angelo Lake View

District 3-4A Division I

1.  Dumas

2.  Canyon

3.  Canyon Randall

4.  Hereford

5.  Pampa

District 4-4A Division I

1.  Springtown

2.  Decatur

3.  Wichita Falls

4.  Mineral Wells

5.  Burkburnett

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 El Paso Riverside vs F2 Big Spring

R4 Decatur vs T3 Canyon

W2 Brownwood vs F1 El Paso Irvin

R3 Canyon Randall vs T4 Wichita Falls

W3 Dumas vs F4 Mineral Wells

R2 Andrews vs T1 El Paso Bowie

W4 Springtown vs F3 Hereford

R1 El Paso Austin vs T2 Lubbock Estacado

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Brownwood over Dumas