Pool A Predicted Order of Finish

1. Paris
2. Waco La Vega
3. Somerset
4. Houston Yates

One of the most intriguing pools in Division II is Pool A, where a case could be made for all four teams to win this pool. Paris gets the early nod, the Wildcats boast loads of athleticism and experience at QB Tyler Heath. Watch out for 2029 ATH Faylon Brown who could be a real breakout star this weekend. La Vega is going to be a real contender as well with QB Kourtney Parr back directing traffic for the Pirates, La Vega is experienced across the board and looks to matchup well. Somerset is a real sleeper, the Bulldogs are led by junior WR Malaki Iverson who is picking up major interest from programs across the country and sophomore WR Shamar Nichols  who may develop into one of the state’s top WR recruits. Houston Yates is fast emerging as one of the top small school programs in the Houston area and the Lions will be a tough out as well. Bottom line here is Pool A  is one of the groups to watch in the D2 bracket.

Pool B Predicted Order of Finish

1. Graham
2. La Marque
3. Sunnyvale
4. Fort Worth Southwest Christian

Graham is one of those programs that just makes reservations to come to College Station every year, the Steers are a perennial contender and have taken how three State 7-on-7 crowns. They aren’t considered one of the favorites to win it all, but they get nod in this competitive pool. La Marque is slowly building back into a contender in the Houston area and they are back at the State Tournament for a second straight year, they along with Sunnyvale will be right in the mix with Graham. Sunnyvale QB Cayson Maupin is one of the state’s most productive signal callers. Southwest Christian is making their state debut, they don’t have a ton of depth so they’ll need to rely on their front-line guys to carry the day.

Pool C Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hitchcock
2. Pilot Point
3. Port Isabel
4. Sweetwater

Hitchcock, who won back to back titles in 2022 and 2023 looks to be back to contender status this year with a veteran squad, the Bulldogs combine big time athleticism with 7on7 knowledge and experience which comes in handy in key moments. Pilot Point has been strong all summer and the Bearcats were able to punch a ticket for the first time since 2016 on the final weekend of qualification in DFW. Port Isabel is the lone RGV representative and is back for the second straight year, while Sweetwater carries the West Texas flag in this pool, the Mustangs are back at the State Tournament for the first time since 2017.

Pool D Predicted Order of Finish

1. Austin LBJ
2. Seminole
3. Lindale
4. West Columbia

Perennial power from Austin, LBJ is back in College Station and the Jags get the edge in this pool with three legitimate contenders. LBJ always features outstanding team speed, they play a lot of 7-on-7 and they tend to improve as the summer wears on. There could be a real battle for second, Seminole has some really intriguing pieces and good team speed, but it’s been a long time since they’ve been in this type of stage. ATH Buddha Guerra is a really intriguing playmaker, he can get from zero to sixty in a hurry! Lindale has a veteran squad that could be a state title contender when the pads come on, senior QB David Lindig is the straw that stirs the drink for the Eagles. West Columbia graduated a really strong senior class last year, but the Roughnecks were able to claw their way back to the State Tournament.

Pool E Predicted Order of Finish

1. Tyler Chapel Hill
2. Dumas
3. Bay City
4. Van Alstyne

Chapel Hill, a semifinalist a year ago gets the early edge as the favorite in this very difficult pool with no one team looking like a pushover. The Bulldogs are led by WR Maliek Brown, a Kansas commit and a bevy of speedy young playmakers. Dumas played for the State 7-on-7 title in 2024 and has one of the top signal callers in the Texas Panhandle in QB Colton Mills who is in his third State 7-on-7 Tournament. Bay City hasn’t always been consistent, but the Blackcats when firing on all cylinders can beat anyone in the state. Van Alstyne is in their second straight appearance at State, the Panthers are a tricky team who can’t be taken for granted.

Pool F Predicted Order of Finish

1. San Antonio Davenport
2. Stafford
3. Troy
4. Trinity

Davenport is the early pick to cruise in this pool that lacks true contending star-power. The Wolves are led by junior QB Tristain Torrez who was a breakout star as a sophomore, while DB Josh Johnson was an all-state pick in the secondary a year ago. Stafford has some freakish team speed across the board they’ll be a handful to deal with, while Troy is a State Tournament debutante. Trinity made the State Tournament a year ago as a Division III school, now they take the leap into Division II where they’ll need more depth to survive.

Pool G Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hamshire-Fannett
2. Decatur
3. Stephenville
4. Corpus Christi Miller

Without question this is the “Pool of Death” in Division II and it might be pound for pound the best pool in any Division this weekend. Hamshire-Fannett headlines an absolutely loaded pool, the Longhorns won the 2024 title, they have a sensational QB back in Blake Broussard, WR Dewayne Long and ATH Isaiah Reed are talented playmakers for the ‘Horns. Decatur has excelled in tournament play all summer, they’ll be a tough out with a loaded group of juniors who simply win. Stephenville, a state champion in the fall is a force with a young defense, but veteran experience on offense with QB Trot Jordan and sophomore WR Caden Monk. Corpus Christi Miller is a capable team who may finish fourth, just because of the depth in this pool, but the Bucs have dominated this summer in South Texas.

Pool H Predicted Order of Finish

1. Cuero
2. West Orange-Stark
3. Lubbock Christian
4. Lorena

I really like this Cuero bunch, the Gobblers could be a real factor as they return to College Station for the second straight year. QB Jayce Guajardo, WR D’Zayvin Bonner, RB Melo Perez and ATH Jarvis Williams gives Cuero big-time firepower. WOS played for a state title last fall, the Mustangs defense will keep them competitive in most games, but the lack of offense could be their downfall. Lubbock Christian and Lorena are battle tested teams as well.