A team from Region IV has played in the 3A-Division II state title game the past four seasons after Tidehaven made their run to the state game a year ago, will a team from Region IV make it five straight? One thing that is certain is this region is wide open heading into 2024.
Region IV gets started with a bang as this five-team district is loaded as all five teams made the playoffs a year ago and four of the five teams won at least one playoff game in 2023. Lexington with nineteen returning starters from a regional semifinal squad gets the nod for the district title over Blanco who went 11-3 in Division I a year ago. Blanco was hit with some key graduation losses, but the Panthers will be a force with the drop. Rogers doesn’t have the depth of Lexington or Blanco, but the Eagles are always in the mix after a regional semifinal appearance in 2023. Comfort gets the edge over Thrall who moves up from Class 2A for the final playoff spot.
Tidehaven, fresh off a state title game appearance did lose a Division I running back, but the cupboard is far from bare for the Tigers who have plenty of experience returning. East Bernard is under a new head coach and will open the offense up more so it’ll be interesting to see how the Brahmas adjust. After the top two, things get VERY interesting as Industrial, Boling, Rice Consolidated and Van Vleck all bring a lot of experience back. The bi-district matchups between District’s 13 and 14 will be fun to watch.
Poth, a state finalist in 2022 and a regional finalist in 2023 is the heavy favorite in 2023, but keep an eye on San Antonio YMLA who could be a big impact player on scene in 3A-Division I as they drop down from 4A-Division I. Dilley, Cotulla, Stockdale and Natalia will all be in contention as well, Cotulla is especially intriguing considering the returning experience of nine starters on both sides of the ball.
It’s a two-horse race in 16-3A Division II with area finalist Odem looking like the team to beat, but Santa Rosa expects to be a challenger as well. The race for the final two playoff spots will be intriguing as Hebbronville’s experience gives them the nod over George West and Taft for the three seed.
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 13-3A Division II
- Lexington
- Blanco
- Rogers
- Comfort
- Thrall
District 14-3A Division II
- Tidehaven
- East Bernard
- Boling
- Vanderbilt Industrial
- Rice Consolidated
- Van Vleck
- Wallis Brazos
District 15-3A Division II
- Poth
- San Antonio YMLA
- Dilley
- Cotulla
- Stockdale
- Natalia
- Karnes City
- Nixon-Smiley
District 16-3A Division II
- Odem
- Santa Rosa
- Hebbronville
- George West
- Taft
- Banquete
- Monte Alto
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W13 Lexington vs F14 Vanderbilt Industrial
R16 Santa Rosa vs T15 Dilley
W14 Tidehaven vs F13 Comfort
R15 San Antonio YMLA vs T16 Hebbronville
W15 Poth vs F16 George West
R14 East Bernard vs T13 Rogers
W16 Odem vs F15 Cotulla
R13 Blanco vs T14 Boling
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Lexington over Blanco
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