The landscape in Region I has been shaken to the core as with Fort Worth ISD opting up their schools to Division I another brutally tough DFW district has been added to the mix, making this region one to watch in a very fascinating statewide 5A-Division II race.

Out in El Paso, the Division II district has expanded to nine teams and the race for the playoffs should be fascinating as the Sun City has three teams who are their sights set on a district title. Del Valle, who is dropping from Division I has the potential to make some big noise with nine starters back on both sides of the ball and one of the state’s top young signal callers. Canutillo, an area finalist a year ago returns fifteen starters, while Chapin brings thirteen starters back. There should be a good battle for the four seed as Andress gets the early nod over what looks to be an improved Hanks squad.

The race in 2-5A Division II is among the most fascinating in all of Texas as this district overnight on paper got much tougher. Lubbock Cooper dropping down from Division I has enough in the pipeline to still be the district favorite, but the effects of the opening of Lubbock Liberty HS will begin to be felt at the lower levels and could impact the Pirates in 2025. Consolidation in Wichita Falls ISD adds a lot of intrigue as traditionally WFISD has fielded tough teams, if the new pieces gel, both Memorial and Legacy could be very tough. Abilene Cooper returns a wealth of experience from an area round playoff team and expects to be in the mix as well. Wylie and Palo Duro expect to be strong as well, but there’s only four playoff spots and six good teams in this loop.

There may not a district in all of Texas, regardless of classification that’s as deep with quality teams as 3-5A Division II. Colleyville Heritage a regional semifinalist a year ago will battle it out with a young but extremely talented Argyle squad for bragging rights. Summit is always tough and despite youth on defense should be in the mix, the real sleeper is The Colony moving down from Division I. The Cougars have the potential to be a real threat, while Timberview, Seguin and Everman would be playoff teams in 95% of the districts in 5A and may be relegated to playing spoiler.

4-5A Division II is a district that features the “have’s” and “have-not’s” as there’s a definite line between the four playoff teams and the bottom of the district. Melissa, Lovejoy and Emerson are fresh off strong seasons a year ago, but all three teams do enter with various question marks, right now the edge goes to Lovejoy, but any of the top four could win this district once you include Anna in the mix. Anna won the state title in 4A-Division I and the Coyotes are poised to make big noise, but a very young defense will need to mature. If someone outside the top four has a chance to shake things up, bet on always tough Denison who is tough to beat at home.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-5A Division II

1. El Paso Del Valle
2. Canutillo
3. El Paso Chapin
4. El Paso Andress
5. El Paso Hanks
6. El Paso Burges
7. El Paso
8. Clint Horizon
9. El Paso Jefferson

District 2-5A Division II

1. Lubbock Cooper
2. Wichita Falls Memorial
3. Abilene Cooper
4. Wichita Falls Legacy
5. Abilene Wylie
6. Amarillo Palo Duro
7. Plainview

District 3-5A Division II

1. Argyle
2. Colleyville Heritage
3. Mansfield Summit
4. The Colony
5. Mansfield Timberview
6. Arlington Seguin
7. Everman
8. Grapevine
9. Burleson

District 4-5A Division II

1. Lovejoy
2. Melissa
3. Anna
4. Frisco Emerson
5. Denison
6. Prosper Walnut Grove
7. Frisco Memorial
8. Frisco Liberty
9. Frisco Independence

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 El Paso Del Valle vs F2 Wichita Falls Legacy

R4 Melissa vs T3 Mansfield Summit

W2 Lubbock Cooper vs F1 El Paso Andress

R3 Colleyville Heritage vs T4 Anna

W3 Argyle vs F4 Frisco Emerson

R2 Wichita Falls Memorial vs T1 El Paso Chapin

W4 Lovejoy vs F3 The Colony

R1 Canutillo vs T2 Abilene Cooper

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Colleyville Heritage over Argyle