6A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

4A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

3A DI: Region I /  Region II / Region III / Region IV

3A DII: Region I

Today’s spotlight: Class 3A Division II Region II

There is a lot of change in Region II after UIL realignment with a much larger Central Texas feel to this region. Previously, the region was comprised of Texoma and East Texas schools so there’s a lot of change for the next two years. 5-3A Division II retains its Texoma feel with the Wichita Falls area being the hub of this loop. The most notable change for this crew is the addition of back-to-back regional champion Gunter. The Tigers have traditionally swung more to the east in realignment, but this go around all of their district games will be to the west. 6-3A Division II is an odd assortment of teams mainly based just west of the DFW metroplex. Jacksboro, who is geographically is closer to Wichita Falls, will go south where Comanche Dublin and Tolar along Highway 377 lie. Then you add in Millsap which will be the between point between Jacksboro in the three southern area teams and then for good measure, Rio Vista which is in the far southern reaches of Johnson County is added in. Rio Vista makes a good fit with this district, but that is a tough road trip through Fort Worth going up to Jacksboro. Based mostly to the south of the Dallas area 7-3A Division II will see some miles put on it as Buffalo which lies along I-45 is the southern edge of this district, while Dallas Gateway located off I-20 in Dallas is the far northern reach of this loop. Most of the district is based in Ellis and Navarro County south of Dallas with Palmer, Rice, Mildred and Blooming Grove. 8-3A Division II keeps the Central Texas flair as the five team loop features Clifton and Hamilton located northwest of Waco, Florence which is located south of Killeen and then you have Rogers which is located southeast of Temple and Lexington which located due east of Round Rock.  Lots of mileage to be had in this loop as well!

Gunter

Expectations are always high in Gunter but after going 31-1 the past two years with a state title in 2016, the Tigers have set the bar pretty high. There are still a few playmakers back namely ATH Dylan Jantz who is getting some FBS interest and two-way star Braiden Clopton who has been all-state in the secondary the past two seasons. The big key for Gunter will be who takes over at QB in its unique pistol flexbone scheme that’s given defenses such fits the past two years. If Gunter’s new signal caller can grasp the system and make the right reads, it’ll make all the difference as it tries to replace heavy graduation losses in the trenches.

Buffalo

The Bison look poised to contend for a regional title this year as they’ve had the misfortune the past two years of running into loaded squads from East Texas in the area playoffs. Buffalo graduates just nine seniors from a 10-2 squad and head coach Gary Grubbs welcomes back 17 total starters and has reinforcements on the way from a JV bunch that was 9-1 a year ago. QB Colton Green and RB Hector Dominguez are the headliners but there are weapons all over the field, we think the Bison and their “bone and shoot” offense have a great chance to be contenders in Region II.

Lexington

Lexington the past two years has fallen just short of the regional title going 24-4 in the process but losing in back-to-back years to Boling in the regional final. Coach Kirk Muhl’s squad brings back six starters on both sides of the ball and they look to be right in the thick of things in Region II where they’ll head north for playoff games. RB Ja’Kobe Cooper (3,118 rushing, 39 touchdowns) will operate behind an experienced offensive line, but the question for the Eagles will be how they replace a record setting QB who has started the past three years. LB Aaron Allert (167 tackles) leads what looks to be a solid defense once again.

Comanche

Comanche had a sensational run to the quarterfinals, but much of that talent has been lost to graduation, especially on offense where nine starters have moved on. One key cog does return and that’s two-way star RB/LB Kade Mercer (1,052 rushing, 9 TDs, 85 tackles, 4 INTs).  Trendon Morin (53 tackles, 2 INTs), who was outstanding on defense last year will likely get a look at QB piloting the Indians’ Wing-T offense. DL Dakoda Moreno (55 tackles, six sacks) is an anchor up front, but a lot of youngsters from a JV team that posted a 6-3 record will need to mature quickly if they want to compete in a difficult region.