The shakeups from UIL Realignment had ripple effects in Region II as in a shock move 8-5A Division II was moved into the region, where now the 2022 and 2023 state title game opponents could wind up playing as early as the area round of the playoffs.
There’s not much intrigue at the top of the district as South Oak Cliff is expected to once again cruise to a district title, but after the Golden Bears there are some questions. Woodrow Wilson brings back a lot of experience from last year’s team and they get the edge for the second spot over a Seagoville squad that went through a late off-season coaching change. Hillcrest should hold off Spruce and what expects to be a vastly improved Samuell squad for the final playoff spot.
The new 6-5A Division II is a melding of teams from the old 5-5A Division II and the old 7-5A Division II, Midlothian Heritage is always a contender inside of Region II and the Jaguars after a 12-1 season should get the early edge over Ellis County rival Ennis. Terrell, who made a surprise regional semifinal appearance in 2022, should be the pick for third, while the race for the last playoff spot should be a battle on Hwy 175 as Crandall and Kaufman will go head to head. Don’t sleep on Corsicana who could be much-improved in 2024.
Out in East Texas Texas High looks to be the clear favorite in 7-5A Division II as the Tigers after an 11-2 season bring back eight starters on both sides of the ball and 43 total lettermen. Marshall with fifteen starters back expects to over-take Whitehouse for the two-seed and that’ll be big as the second seed gets the advantage of a home playoff game against a team from Houston. Mount Pleasant and Nacogdoches will be in battle for the final playoff spot with the edge going to the Tigers from Northeast Texas.
Defending state champion Port Neches-Groves headlines 8-5A Division II, but this district is absolutely loaded with good teams bringing back a wealth of experience. Huntsville, who lost a close one to PNG in the regional final a year ago gets the slight edge over the defending state champions who may take a small step back with some key losses on the defensive side of the ball. Lake Creek, who is 24-2 the past two seasons is lurking as well and they gave PNG all they wanted a year ago in a 30-27 loss in the third round. The race for fourth is a three-team race between Montgomery, Dayton and Nederland battling it out.
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 5-5A Division II
- South Oak Cliff
- Dallas Wilson
- Seagoville
- Dallas Hillcrest
- Dallas Spruce
- Dallas Samuell
- Dallas Adamson
- Dallas Jefferson
District 6-5A Division II
- Midlothian Heritage
- Ennis
- Terrell
- Crandall
- Kaufman
- Corsicana
- Greenville
- Mesquite Poteet
District 7-5A Division II
- Texarkana Texas
- Marshall
- Whitehouse
- Mount Pleasant
- Nacogdoches
- Hallsville
- Jacksonville
District 8-5A Division II
- Huntsville
- Port Neches-Groves
- Montgomery Lake Creek
- Montgomery
- Dayton
- Nederland
- Splendora
- New Caney West Fork
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W5 South Oak Cliff vs F6 Crandall
R8 Port Neches-Groves vs T7 Whitehouse
W6 Midlothian Heritage vs F5 Dallas Hillcrest
R7 Marshall vs T8 Montgomery Lake Creek
W7 Texarkana Texas vs F8 Montgomery
R6 Ennis vs T5 Seagoville
W8 Huntsville vs F7 Mount Pleasant
R5 Dallas Wilson vs T6 Terrell
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Huntsville over South Oak Cliff
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