Regional Outlook

Aledo’s total dominance in 5A-Division II was evident a year ago as even in a projected “down” year the Bearcats cruised to their tenth state title, is anyone going to end the Bearcats run of dominance as they not only look for state title number eleven in 2021, but they can extend their state record district winning streak to triple digits with wins in their first four district games.

Mansfield Timberview was the chief challenger to Aledo’s dominance a year ago and even though the Wolves took some hits due to graduation they are still in place to garner the second spot. Things get pretty murky after that with area finalist Everman, Burleson, surprise playoff team Burleson and Cleburne all waiting in the wings for those last two playoff spots.

South Oak Cliff is the heavy favorite in 6-5A Division II and don’t be surprised if that gap has gotten wider since last year, the Golden Bears should cruise to a district title and if you are looking for a sleeper in this region SOC may be the team for you. Mesquite Poteet should have enough to hold off Kimball for the second spot and get the right to host a playoff game, while Hillcrest is a solid bet to take the final playoff spot over Seagoville.

Lovejoy was the surprise team in Region II a year ago posting a 13-1 record in year one under new head coach Chris Ross and the Leopards had Aledo on the ropes in the regional finals before a special teams gaffe turned the tide. Lovejoy took some key graduation losses on offense last year, but don’t be surprised if they are better in 2021 and they are the consensus favorite in 7-5A Division II. Denison returns fifteen starters from a playoff team and looks to be a good bet for the second spot under first year head coach Brent Whitson. Fast rising Frisco Liberty made the playoffs a year ago and if they can remain healthy is a good bet for a playoff spot as well. Frisco, who has been a strong team the past few years took some big graduation losses, but they should still have enough to hold off Lebanon Trail and Memorial for the final playoff spot.

Ennis rolled through 8-5A Division II a year ago and there’s no reason to believe, despite the loss of a strong senior class that the Lions won’t again be the team to beat in this district. Things get real murky after that as North Forney suffered big graduation losses and also went through a coaching change late in the off-season. Corsicana after a strong 2019 season, was disappointing last year, the Tigers have enough on defense to still challenge for the playoffs, while Royse City and Greenville expect to be in the mix as well.

District Predictions

District 5-5A Division II

1. Aledo
2. Mansfield Timberview
3. Arlington Seguin
4. Burleson
5. Cleburne
6. Everman
7. Waco University
8. Joshua

District 6-5A Division II

1. Dallas South Oak Cliff
2. Mesquite Poteet
3. Dallas Kimball
4. Dallas Hillcrest
5. Seagoville
6. Dallas Conrad
7. Dallas Spruce
8. Dallas Adamson
9. Dallas Jefferson

District 7-5A Division II

1. Lovejoy
2. Denison
3. Frisco Liberty
4. Frisco
5. Frisco Lebanon Trail
6. Frisco Memorial
7. Princeton
8. Prosper Rock Hill
9. Lake Dallas

District 8-5A Division II

1. Ennis
2. Greenville
3. Royse City
4. Corsicana
5. North Forney
6. Sulphur Springs
7. Crandall
8. Forney

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W5 Aledo vs. F6 Dallas Hillcrest

R8 Greenville vs. T7 Frisco Liberty

W6 South Oak Cliff vs. F5 Burleson

R7 Denison vs. T8 Royse City

W7 Lovejoy vs. F8 Corsicana

R6 Mesquite Poteet vs. T5 Arlington Seguin

W8 Ennis vs. F7 Frisco

R5 Mansfield Timberview vs. T6 Dallas Kimball

Regional Winner

Aledo over Lovejoy