District 2-2A Division II
2026 could be the year for Ropes. The Eagles appear poised to get over the hump and win the region after a regional final appearance in 2024 and a regional semifinal appearance last year. Coach Riker welcomes back 11 starters, including district MVP ATH Zayden Pittman, and they add QB Chase Lantelme to the mix after moving in from Stratford. LB Jaivyth Cruz is among the most productive defensive players on the South Plains. Seagraves, fresh off a 7-4 campaign, gets the nod over Sudan for the two spot. The Eagles won a playoff game and have 13 starters back. Sudan RB Kyler Edwards is a difference-maker for the Hornets and his presence could be enough to lift SHS to that two-slot. Plains, in Year 2 under Daniel Purvis, should have enough to hold off what should be a vastly-improved Smyer squad that returns eight starters on both sides of the ball.
District 3-2A Division II
There are more unknowns in this district than you can shake a stick at, as UIL Realignment changed the landscape in this loop that crosses the Big Country, South Plains and even moves into the Permian Basin. Tahoka posted a 7-5 mark a year ago, but they lost a good senior class. RB Uzziah Martinez will be asked to carry the load for THS if they want to hold off what should be an improved Roscoe squad in Dan Loyd’s second season. Crosbyton has the most experience back with eight back on both sides; the Chiefs get the edge for the three spot over Lockney. Ralls has yet to hire a head coach after a tough season a year ago and new UIL program Big Spring Pathway is a major unknown.
District 4-2A Division II
Wink has carried the torch out in the Permian Basin at the 2A-Division II level and the Wildcats again look like they should run away with the district. They return eight on offense and 10 on defense from a team that went 9-3 a year ago. Don’t be surprised if the Wildcats are in a regional final in 2026; they have that type of firepower. Eldorado has the experience back and depth where they get the nod over Iraan for the second spot, while McCamey looks to bounce back as Michael Woodard returns to the sidelines where he led the Badgers on some deep playoff runs before going into administration.
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK
W1 Gruver vs F2 Plains
R4 Eldorado vs T3 Crosbyton
W2 Ropesville Ropes vs F1 Bovina
R3 Roscoe vs T4 Iraan
W3 Tahoka vs F4 McCamey
R2 Seagraves vs T1 Stinnett West Texas
W4 Wink vs F3 Lockney
R1 Stratford vs T2 Sudan
The power in this region lies primarily in District 1, so the champion of that district (projected to be Gruver or Stratford), should have a clear road to the semifinals. Ropes is awaiting and that could be where the rubber meets the road as the Eagles look ready for a run. Wink is the pick at the bottom of the bracket, but once again a tough area round game against the District 1 runner-up awaits. Ropes took Wink down 21-14 in the third round in 2024 and I think we could be in for a meeting between these two, this time in a regional final.
REGIONAL CHAMPION
Ropes over Wink
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