REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Region IV is totally wide open heading into 2022 as last year’s surprise regional champion  Lago Vista has moved on to Class 4A and the runner-up Vanderbilt Industrial is going through a transition with a coaching change, does this open the door for a team like Edna?

Llano, who won Region IV in 2020 looks primed to contend once again with nine returning starters on both sides of the ball from an area round playoff team. The ‘Jackets get the edge over Marion and Blanco, but if Blanco adapts to their new head coach, don’t be surprised if they contend. The battle for fourth will be very entertaining with Randolph, Luling and Cole all capable of making a strong case.

Jourdanton, after a down year in 2021 expects to get back among the contender in Region IV with thirteen returning starters leading the way, Hondo drops down from Class 4A with a veteran defensive unit leading the way, while Poteet after their best season in nearly 70 years still lurks despite some key graduation losses. That top three could finish in any order, while the race for the fourth spot could come down to Cotulla and Lytle, with the edge to Cotulla on the strength of sixteen returning starters.

Vanderbilt Industrial played for a regional title a year ago, but district rival Edna on the strength of seventeen returning starters from a 10-3 squad has the makings of a team that absolutely could be the winner of Region IV. London and Goliad will be in a real battle for the third spot, London won a close one between those two last year in the first round of the playoffs and now they are district opponents, both teams bring back quite a bit.

San Diego, who made a surprise run to the regional semifinals a year ago brings back a dozen starters from a team that finished second in 16-3A Division I a year ago. Gone is last year’s district champion as London moves north to 15-3A Division I. Lyford will be the key contender to San Diego as the Bulldogs return seven on both sides of the ball from a playoff squad, while Rio Hondo moving down from 4A expects to immediately contend for the district title as well. Kingsville Academy and Falfurrias will fight it out for the district’s final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-3A Division I

1. Llano
2. Marion
3. Blanco
4. Universal City Randolph
5. Luling
6. San Antonio Cole
7. Ingram Moore

District 14-3A Division I

1. Jourdanton
2. Hondo
3. Poteet
4. Cotulla
5. Lytle
6. Crystal City

District 15-3A Division I

1. Edna
2. Vanderbilt Industrial
3. Goliad
4. London
5. Palacios
6. Mathis
7. Aransas Pass

District 16-3A Division I

1. San Diego
2. Lyford
3. Rio Hondo
4. Kingsville Academy
5. Falfurrias
6. Progreso

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Llano vs F14 Cotulla

R16 Lyford vs T15 Goliad

W14 Jourdanton vs F13 Universal City Randolph

R15 Vanderbilt Industrial vs T16 Rio Hondo

W15 Edna vs F16 Kingsville Academy

R14 Hondo vs T13 Blanco

W16 San Diego vs F15 London

R13 Marion vs T14 Poteet

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Edna over Llano