Upstart Sunray took home their first regional crown in 2023 behind a dynamic passing attack, however the Bobcats won’t have a chance for a repeat as they’ve up to Division I. Another Panhandle power that earned a regional crown a year ago is here to replace Sunray and that’s last year’s Division I champion Stratford who moved back down to the Division II level.

Stratford takes the mantle as the team to beat out of the Panhandle as the Elks return eight starters on both sides of the ball from a team that posted a 14-1 mark at the Division I level. If it weren’t for Stratford, Gruver would be a real threat as the Greyhounds were 10-3 a year ago and bring back fourteen starters. Farwell is another legit contender as the Steers traditionally are always in the mix.

Although 2-2A Division II doesn’t have any real regional contenders this district will be fun to watch as they’ve got five good teams competing for four playoff spots. Sudan gets the edge over a senior laden Hale Center squad who brings back nine starters on both sides of the ball. Lockney is loaded with experience, while Morton brings back all 22 starters from a team that actually won a playoff game a year ago.

Perennial power Sundown gets the edge in this district fresh off a 9-3 season, but they’ll have to hold off veteran squads in Tahoka and Ropesville who are fresh off playoff appearances as well. Seagraves is also fresh off an area playoff appearance and will be in the mix.

Wink is as consistent as it gets in the Permian Basin and the Wildcats return seven starters on both sides of the ball from a 10-2 team, they are a big favorite in 4-2A Division II, but after that things get really cluttered up with McCamey, Eldorado, Sterling City and Iraan all in the mix for the final two playoff spots. Van Horn back up from six-man ball rounds this district out.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-2A Division II

1. Stratford
2. Gruver
3. Farwell
4. Vega
5. Bovina

District 2-2A Division II

1. Sudan
2. Hale Center
3. Lockney
4. Morton
5. Ralls
6. Crosbyton

District 3-2A Division II

1. Sundown
2. Ropesville
3. Tahoka
4. Seagraves
5. Smyer
6. Plains

District 4-2A Division II

1. Wink
2. McCamey
3. Eldorado
4. Sterling City
5. Iraan
6. Van Horn

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 Stratford vs F2 Morton

R4 McCamey vs T3 Tahoka

W2 Sudan vs F1 Vega

R3 Ropesville vs T4 Eldorado

W3 Sundown vs F4 Sterling City

R2 Hale Center vs T1 Farwell

W4 Wink vs F3 Seagraves

R1 Gruver vs T2 Lockney

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Stratford over Wink