District 3-2A Division I
This South Plains loop in my view is clearly the top district in Region I and this likely could produce your eventual regional champion. Post, who went 13-1 in 2024, fell back to the pack a bit a year ago going 8-3, but the Antelopes look poised for contention with eight starters back on both sides of the ball led by QB Landyn Garcia. Add in support from a 7-2 JV bunch and the Bold Gold are a regional and district favorite. New Deal and New Home will be locked in a very competitive battle for the two-seed. New Home posted a regional semifinal appearance ago but graduated pretty heavy and that could open things for New Deal to snatch that second spot. Abernathy and Sundown will battle for the final playoff spot; the loser of that battle will be a tough luck fifth place bunch.
District 4-2A Division I
There are a lot of improved teams in this district, which spans the Permian Basin and moves down into the Concho Valley. Ozona raced through the district at 10-0 a year ago before falling in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions lose a record-setting running back but bring back 14 starters and 26 lettermen. Sonora, who has been the dominant power in the area over the years, has 16 starters back and could surpass Ozona if things break right. Forsan lost just four seniors to graduation; the Buffaloes made the playoffs in 2025 and should see a repeat. The real battle will be for that fourth spot. I’m taking Ballinger in a slight upset as the Bearcats have eight back on both sides, but Christoval, a playoff team a year ago, awaits; Reagan County also brings a ton back. Even Colorado City, who lost just five seniors, expects to be much-improved, so every game in this loop will be massive.
PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK
W1 Spearman vs F2 Tulia
R4 Ozona vs T3 New Home
W2 Hale Center vs F1 Sunray
R3 New Deal vs T4 Forsan
W3 Post vs F4 Ballinger
R2 Farwell vs T1 Amarillo Highland Park
W4 Sonora vs F3 Abernathy
R1 Panhandle vs T2 Olton
Spearman expects to cruise at the top of this bracket. The way things break, getting that 1-seed in 1-2A Division I offers up a path with significantly less resistance in my opinion. Post is the team to beat at the bottom, but an area round game against Farwell and a possible Thanksgiving showdown with Panhandle or Sonora is no picnic either. But Post’s team speed and playoff experience gives them the edge to make a semifinal appearance.
REGIONAL CHAMPION
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