Regional Outlook

Gilmer ended Pleasant Grove’s three-year run of domination in Region II a year ago and the Buckeyes on paper appear to have what it takes once again to challenge for a spot in Arlington in December. The biggest question will be does Gilmer’s top challenge come from inside their own district?

Glen Rose has dominated this district in recent years, even when this district was in Region I, but the Tiger suffered a stunning playoff loss in the bi-district round a year ago, the Tigers will be in the mix but is this the year Godley overtakes GRHS and wins the district? Expect the battle for third to be quite competitive as well as both Hillsboro and Ferris have new coaches and appear to be trending up.

Caddo Mills had a magical season a year ago, advancing all the way to the regional finals, but most of the key pieces from that team has graduated. That opens the door for Sunnyvale, a regional semifinalist a year ago to regain top honors in this loop. The battle for third should be a lot of fun as a year ago Quinlan Ford knocked off Community to get that higher playoff seed, but it was Community that earned a playoff win. Expect Wills Point to be much improved as they should be in the mix as well.

Mexia earned the district title a year ago in 7-4A Division II, but the Blackcats will have a lot of new faces on the field and the sidelines as they’ve got a new head coach who will direct a much younger team. That opens the door up for old rivals Van and Canton to slide to the top of the district with Van returning six starters on both sides of the ball from an area round playoff team getting the edge. Mexia still expects to be in the playoff mix, while Brownsboro gets the early edge over a young Bullard squad for the final playoff spot.

Gilmer, last year’s state runner-up brings back a solid core led by a FBS commit at QB and the Buckeyes appear poised to be even better in 2021. Pleasant Grove will be extremely young, but the Hawks are still talented enough to hold off a fast-rising Liberty-Eylau squad that returns seven starters on both sides of the ball. Pittsburg is the surprise pick at four over Spring Hill.

District Predictions

District 5-4A Division II

1. Godley
2. Glen Rose
3. Hillsboro
4. Ferris
5. Venus

District 6-4A Division II

1. Sunnyvale
2. Caddo Mills
3. Nevada Community
4. Quinlan Ford
5. Wills Point
6. Farmersville

District 7-4A Division II

1. Van
2. Canton
3. Mexia
4. Brownsboro
5. Bullard

District 8-4A Division II

1. Gilmer
2. Texarkana Pleasant Grove
3. Texarkana Liberty-Eylau
4. Pittsburg
5. Longview Spring Hill
6. Paris North Lamar

Predicted Playoff Matchups

W5 Godley vs. F6 Quinlan Ford

R8 Texarkana Pleasant Grove vs. T7 Mexia

W6 Sunnyvale vs. F5 Ferris

R7 Canton vs. T8 Texarkana Liberty-Eylau

W7 Van vs. F8 Pittsburg

R6 Caddo Mills vs. T5 Hillsboro

W8 Gilmer vs. F7 Brownsboro

R5 Glen Rose vs. T6 Nevada Community

Regional Winner

Gilmer over Texarkana Pleasant Grove