Regional Outlook

A year ago district runner-up Canyon got hot in the playoffs and earned themselves a regional title, can a team from the Panhandle again take home regional honors or does the balance of power swing back to 4-4A Division I? In a region that only has 19 teams total, anything is possible if you can get hot at the right time!

Out in the Sun City 1-4A Division I has had some playoff success the past few years and 2021 should be no different as the teams from this district have shown they can win bi-district games. Riverside, who fell in overtime in the first round of the playoffs a year ago gets the edge as the district favorite on the strength of nine returning starters on both sides of the ball. Clint, who has been to the area playoffs in back-to-back seasons will again be strong as their wishbone offense is tough to stop. Mountain View looks to be solidly in third place, while the battle for the final playoff spot should be fun with Fabens getting the edge over San Elizario.

2-4A Division I across the board expects to be much improved as three of the four teams in the district brings back at least fifteen starters. Andrews failed to win a district title for the first time since 2013, but the Mustangs look like they’ll move back to the top of the standings with fifteen total starters back from an area round playoff squad. Big Spring made major strides a year ago making the area playoffs and with seventeen starters back, the Steers appear to be the team most poised to challenge Andrews. Last year’s district champion Fort Stockton only returns five on offense and six on defense, but the Panthers expect to contend because of excellent team speed at the skill spots. Lake View is picked fourth, but the Chiefs also expect to be much improved with seventeen total starters back.

3-4A Division I again expects to be strong, but the question remains if one of the teams in this district is good enough to again challenge for regional honors. Dumas had a strong summer 7-on-7 season and should be dynamic on offense with eight starters back, but there are defensive questions as graduation depleted the ranks. Defending regional champions Canyon only returns three starters and will be under a new head coach in 2021, but the Eagles still have enough to get past Pampa who is also under a new head coach in 2021.

Springtown, the 2019 regional champion and 2020 regional finalist enters the year as the regional favorite, but if you are looking for a team to hitch your wagon to Hirschi may be the team to watch. The Huskies appear primed and poised to challenge in 2021. Decatur went through an off-season of turmoil but the Eagles get the edge for third, while Gainesville and Lake Worth expect to once again be locked in a struggle for the final playoff spot.

District Predictions

District 1-4A Division I

1. El Paso Riverside
2. Clint
3. Clint Mountain View
4. Fabens
5. San Elizario

District 2-4A Division I

1. Andrews
2. Big Spring
3. Fort Stockton
4. San Angelo Lake View

District 3-4A Division I

1. Dumas
2. Canyon
3. Pampa
4. Hereford

District 4-4A Division I

1. Springtown
2. Wichita Falls Hirschi
3. Decatur
4. Gainesville
5. Lake Worth
6. Burkburnett

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W1 El Paso Riverside vs. F2 San Angelo Lake View

R4 Wichita Falls Hirschi vs. T3 Pampa

W2 Andrews vs. F1 Fabens

R3 Canyon vs. T4 Decatur

W3 Dumas vs. F4 Gainesville

R2 Big Spring vs. T1 Clint Mountain View

W4 Springtown vs. F3 Hereford

R1 Clint vs. T2 Fort Stockton

Regional Winner

Springtown over Wichita Falls Hirschi