There’s a clear delineation in 2-5A Division I as the top four teams in my view look pretty locked in, if anyone outside of that can challenge for a playoff spot, it’ll be Lubbock Coronado who does return seven starters on both sides of the ball. Abilene gets the nod for the district title, the Eagles offense is loaded at the skill spots and they’ve got nine back on defense. The key will be rebuilding the offensive line. Last year’s district champion Monterey looks stout in the trenches, but the Plainsmen have to replace some key parts at the skill spots. Amarillo and Amarillo Tascosa both have plenty of experience back and expect to challenge for not only a playoff spot, but the district title as the difference between one and four is small.
Aledo’s long district winning streak (127 games) is the headline in 3-5A Division I, but it may come to an end this year with the Bearcats having to go play at Denton Ryan. That district game may not mean much come playoff time as Ryan got their revenge on Aledo in the playoffs, could the roles be reversed in 2025? Richland has been to the third round in back-to-back seasons, but the Royals graduated heavy, they still have enough to still be the bet for third. The race for fourth should be intriguing with Brewer, Azle and Birdville on paper looking like a dead-heat.
There aren’t any regional contenders in 4-5A Division I, but inside of the district the play should be quite competitive. Saginaw rolled to the district crown a year ago, but the Rough Riders graduated a strong group of seniors and lost their head coach. That could open the door for Chisholm Trail who brings eighteen starters from a playoff team, but the Rangers had a very late coaching change so that brings questions. Arlington Heights has outstanding front-line talent, but depth concerns are abound, while Paschal and Wyatt are looking to contend for the final playoff spot with Trimble Tech as a big dark-horse.
DISTRICT PREDICTIONS
District 1-5A Division I
District 2-5A Division I
District 3-5A Division I
District 4-5A Division I
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS
W1 El Paso El Dorado vs F2 Amarillo
R4 Fort Worth Arlington Heights vs T3 Richland
W2 Abilene vs F1 El Paso Bel Air
R3 Aledo vs T4 Saginaw
W3 Denton Ryan vs F4 Fort Worth Paschal
R2 Lubbock Monterey vs T1 El Paso Parkland
W4 Saginaw Chisholm Trail vs F3 White Settlement Brewer
R1 El Paso Americas vs T2 Amarillo Tascosa
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Aledo over Denton Ryan
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