REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Region II features the number one team state in Albany, along with several other contenders who have had major success in recent years, will the Lions finally breakthrough in 2022 and get longtime head coach Denny Faith that elusive state title?

Wink and McCamey have developed quite the rivalry over the years and they’ll bring that over to Region II where both teams will be among the contenders to challenge Albany. Wink with nine returning starters on both sides of the ball gets the edge over a veteran McCamey squad. Eldorado loses some key offensive playmakers and their coach, but they will be solid up front. The big wild card in this district is how will the six-man move up Sterling City and Water Valley fare in 2022 in their return to the eleven man game?

Albany is the state’s pre-season number one team and the heavy favorite in 6-2A Division II, there will be some competition inside of the district for the Lions with a very good Roscoe squad returning fifteen starters from a 9-2 squad. Cross Plains stumbled to a 5-5 mark a year ago, but the Buffaloes return an impressive twenty starters and should be massively improved. Miles will look to hold off Hamlin for the final playoff spot, the fall of Hamlin, who played for a state title in 2019 has been massive as they hit rock-bottom a year ago going winless.

Windthorst, the 2020 state champions followed that run up with a trip to the quarterfinals a year ago losing to Albany, the Trojans were hit hard by graduation and will get a stern test from Archer City inside of district play. Archer City fell to WHS by just two points in the area playoffs a year ago. Seymour will be a formidable foe as well as the Panthers return ten starters on both sides of the ball from an area round playoff squad. Haskell with seven back on both sides of the ball gets the edge for the final playoff spot.

Muenster has been knocking on the door the past few seasons and after a 12-1 season a year ago, Brady Carney’s squad returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and expects to challenge Albany as well in Region II. Santo could have their best team in school history with eight back on both sides of the ball from an 11-2 squad, their presence will give the playoff bracket plenty of balance.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-2A Division II

1. Wink
2. McCamey
3. Eldorado
4. Sterling City
5. Water Valley
6. Iraan
7. Midland TLC

District 6-2A Division II

1. Albany
2. Roscoe
3. Cross Plains
4. Miles
5. Hamlin
6. Abilene TLC

District 7-2A Division II

1. Windthorst
2. Archer City
3. Seymour
4. Haskell
5. Petrolia
6. Electra
7. Munday

District 8-2A Division II

1. Muenster
2. Santo
3. Lindsay
4. Collinsville
5. Celeste
6. Era
7. Chico

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Wink vs F6 Miles

R8 Santo vs T7 Seymour

W6 Albany vs F5 Sterling City

R7 Archer City vs T8 Lindsay

W7 Windthorst vs F8 Collinsville

R6 Roscoe vs T5 Eldorado

W8 Muenster vs F7 Haskell

R5 McCamey vs T6 Cross Plains

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Albany over Muenster