Two of the state’s top five teams live in 7-4A Division II, yet neither is a regional favorite with 10-time state champion Carthage looming in 8-4A Division II. Pleasant Grove went through some early growing pains a year ago, but the Hawks appear loaded after losing just seven seniors from a 10-3 squad. Gilmer’s going through some rebuilding at the skill spots, but in the trenches the Buckeyes may be among the state’s best. Meanwhile, after a surprise regional final run, Van has to replace a strong senior core.
Defending state champion Carthage is looking for its 11th state title with an elite senior class that features at least five FBS prospects; winning the district title seems like a formality at this point. With 16 returning starters, including 10 on offense, Athens looks like the pick for the two-seed, while Center, and its new head coach, is the third-place pick. The real battle may be for the final spot, where Rusk, Bullard and Brownsboro can all make a case on paper.
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 5-4A Division II
District 6-4A Division II
District 7-4A Division II
District 8-4A Division II
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W5 Van Alstyne vs F6 Ferris
R8 Athens vs T7 Van
W6 Sunnyvale vs F5 Farmersville
R7 Gilmer vs T8 Center
W7 Texarkana Pleasant Grove vs F8 Rusk
R6 Quinlan Ford vs T5 Krum
W8 Carthage vs F7 Longview Spring Hill
R5 Sanger vs T6 Canton
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Carthage over Gilmer
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