2020 Class 5A-Division I Region II Outlook: Predictions for every district, playoff matchup, sleepers and regional winner

Gary Sanderson

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Regional Outlook

Region II starts out with a bang with perennial power Denton Ryan moving over from Region I to join Frisco ISD which features last year’s Region II champion Frisco Lone Star along with a really dangerous Frisco Independence squad. This may finally be Ryan’s year to bring a state title home, look for Independence with their returning talent to edge past Lone Star for the second spot. The battle for fourth place is going to be very interesting as any of the remaining six teams can make a claim.

6-5A Division I has a lot of intrigue, not much at the top as Lancaster is a massive favorite in this district. After the Tigers you’ve got eight teams who haven’t had much recent success all competing for three playoff spots that appear to be pretty wide open. Woodrow Wilson, Dallas White (dropping down from 6A) and Carrollton Smith get the early nod, but its anyone’s race after that.

The headliners in 7-5A Division I are at the top with 6A dropdown Longview and perennial power Highland Park leading the way, Longview gets the edge in this showdown because the game this year is being played at Lobo Stadium. McKinney North, a district champion a year ago lost a lot but the Bulldogs should hold off what we think will be a much-improved John Tyler squad. If you are looking for a sleeper, don’t count out a very scrappy Sherman bunch.

8-5A Division I takes us out of the DFW area down into the northern reaches of the Houston area, where Lufkin looks to once again be the dominant team in this loop. College Station and district newcomer New Caney (who won 9-5A Division I a year ago) will put up strong fights and expect to be in playoff contention. Expect a three-way battle for fourth place with Magnolia West, Magnolia and New Caney Porter all capable contenders of that coveted final playoff slot.

 

District Predictions

District 5-5A Division I

  1. Denton Ryan
  2. Frisco Independence
  3. Frisco Lone Star
  4. Frisco Reedy
  5. The Colony
  6. Frisco Wakeland
  7. Denton
  8. Frisco Heritage
  9. Frisco Centennial

 

District 6-5A Division I

  1. Lancaster
  2. Dallas Wilson
  3. Dallas White
  4. Carrollton Smith
  5. Dallas Adams
  6. Dallas Molina
  7. Dallas Samuell
  8. Carrollton Turner
  9. Dallas Sunset

 

District 7-5A Division I

  1. Longview
  2. Highland Park
  3. McKinney North
  4. Tyler John Tyler
  5. Sherman
  6. West Mesquite
  7. Wylie East

 

District 8-5A Division I

  1. Lufkin
  2. College Station
  3. New Caney
  4. Magnolia West
  5. Magnolia
  6. New Caney Porter
  7. Waller
  8. Conroe Caney Creek
  9. Cleveland

 

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W5 Denton Ryan vs F6 Carrollton Smith

R8 College Station vs T7 McKinney North

W6 Lancaster vs F5 Frisco Reedy

R7 Highland Park vs T8 New Caney

W7 Longview vs F8 Magnolia West

R6 Dallas Wilson vs T5 Frisco Lone Star

W8 Lufkin vs F7 Tyler John Tyler

R5 Frisco Independence vs T6 Dallas White

 

Playoff Sleeper

Lufkin: The Panthers will be overshadowed in this region with the likes of Denton Ryan, Longview and Highland Park grabbing headlines and that may be just the way Todd Quick’s squad likes it. When Lufkin has high expectations they tend to under-achieve, but when they are over-looked they often exceed projections.  

 

Regional Winner

Denton Ryan over Longview: The Raiders earn their fifth straight regional title and this one will be earned in a brutally tough Region and a brutally tough regional final that pits them against Longview. If these two meet it’ll be as physical a football game as you’ll see and will be a lot of fun to watch. Denton Ryan’s battle tested mentality could be what carries them to that elusive state title in December.  

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