Stepp's 2A DI Region IV Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-2A Division I

1. Thorndale
2. Rosebud-Lott
3. Granger
4. Marlin
5. Hearne
6. Moody
7. Bruceville-Eddy

A reconstituted Central Texas district changes the look a bit of Region IV as the region’s reach goes all the way just south of Waco. Thorndale, which posted eight wins and an area round playoff appearance, gets the early edge in this district as the Bulldogs welcome back an impressive 10 starters on both sides of the ball. Several three-year starters are carrying the torch and this is a team that’s a sleeper overall. Rosebud-Lott is another team fresh off an area round appearance that brings a ton back as Coach Hicks welcomes back 16starters, including nine on offense. Granger had emerged as a Region IV power at the Division II level recently; they make the move up after going 12-1 a year ago, but the Lions lost a strong senior class. Marlin and Hearne should be a very interesting battle for the last playoff spot along Highway 6. Hearne HC Jeff Rogers was Marlin’s head coach in 2024 and 2025, so that’ll be a fun showdown and could be straight up for a playoff spot.

District 14-2A Division I

1. Centerville
2. Jewett Leon
3. Corrigan-Camden
4. Lovelady
5. Groveton
6. Iola
7. Normangee

In an interesting twist at UIL Realignment, this traditional Region III district that spans East-Central Texas and moves out into the Piney Woods, gets a move into Region IV. Centerville stumbled to a 5-6 mark a year ago, but don’t expect the Tigers to stay down for long. They get the nod to win the district over last year’s champion in Jewett Leon. Leon posted their first season of 10 or more wins since 1985, but they only return three starters on both sides of the ball, so there are questions on if the Cougars can have a repeat performance in 2026. Corrigan-Camden and their overall athleticism will be a big boost in this district; they’ve made the playoffs in 29 of the last 30 years, but they have just one playoff victory since 2018. Lovelady has been a power at both the Division I and Division II level, but the Lions feature a new coach and a young team. Is that enough to hold off what should be an improved Groveton squad that returns 17 starters and an Iola team that was a regional semi-finalist at the 2A-Division II level in 2025?

District 15-2A Division I

1. Ganado
2. Shiner
3. Kenedy
4. Weimar
5. Flatonia
6. Bloomington
7. Danbury

We already thought Ganado was a real threat to win a state title in 2026 as they returned 18 starters from an 11-2 team a year ago, but after winning State 7-on-7 in June, the expectations for the Indians definitely didn’t drop. RB/LB Logan Bures and QB Landyn Arriaga are the headliners, but this is a deep and talented team that graduated just two seniors. Shiner, back up from Division II, will be right in the mix as well as the Comanches, fresh off consecutive title game appearances, have an impressive 27 lettermen back and 14 starters. But the loss of ATH Jarvis Williams to a transfer to Cuero is a big blow. Kenedy, fresh off their best season since 1978, is primed for more big things with sophomore WR Dylan Russell as the headliner. Weimar and Flatonia will be locked into a real battle for the final playoff spot.

District 16-2A Division I

1. Refugio
2. Taft
3. Freer
4. Dilley
5. Skidmore-Tynan
6. Premont
7. Banquete
8. Monte Alto

Powerhouse Refugio has been an institution in South Texas and although the Bobcats got a reprieve in realignment going South, there’s no doubt that Refugio may be in a rebuild with just thee total starters back and a new head coach. But they are still the favorites in 16-2A Division I. Taft, a playoff team in 3A-Division II a year ago, has seven back on both sides of the ball and looks best equipped to challenge Refugio. Freer just missed out on the playoffs a year ago, but with eight on offense and nine on defense back, the Buckaroos look like a good postseason bet. The real key with the tough bi-district pairing. Will be can anyone outside of Refugio get past the first round of the playoffs?

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W13 Thorndale vs F14 Lovelady

R16 Taft vs T15 Kenedy

W14 Centerville vs F13 Marlin

R15 Shiner vs T16 Freer

W15 Ganado vs F16 Dilley

R14 Jewett Leon vs T13 Granger

W16 Refugio vs F15 Weimar

R13 Rosebud-Lott vs T14 Corrigan-Camden

The power in Region IV is clearly in District 15-2A Division I where Ganado and Shiner are the heavy favorites to meet again in the playoffs with the regional title on the line. Kenedy, also in 15-2A Division I, has a strong case as the third best team in the region. That potential area round game with Thorndale should be quite intriguing. Refugio, who has dominated the region for the past 20years or so, will be hard-pressed to even get to Thanksgiving weekend in this tough overall region.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Ganado over Shiner