REGIONAL OUTLOOK

The power in Region I shifted in 2021 moving from the South Plains to the Big Country, look for the power in this region to be distributed a bit more evenly in 2022 between the Panhandle, South Plains and the Big Country.

1-2A Division I got a big addition this off-season with the move of defending Division II state champion Stratford into this district. The Elks bring back a solid core and should transition back to the larger level of 2A quite seamlessly. Panhandle brings back plenty of experience from an area round playoff team and that should be enough to hold off a veteran Farwell squad also making the jump up from Division II. Sanford-Fritch is the pick for the final playoff spot over Highland Park and West Texas, both of whom were winless in 2021.

Moving down to the South Plains it appears New Deal with their seven returning starters back on both sides of the ball gets the edge in 2-2A Division I after a strong 11-2 campaign a year ago. The battle for second should be intriguing, but the lean is to Sundown over Post as the Antelopes are dealing with a late off-season coaching change. Olton, Floydada and Tahoka all bring back a ton of experience, but considering Olton managed a winning record a year ago, while the other two were a combined 3-18 a year ago, the big edge for fourth is to Olton.

Sonora drops down to 2A-Division I after posting a 7-5 mark in 3A-Division II a year ago, the Broncos return fifteen starters and that gives them not only the edge in this Concho Valley district, but they are a sleeper in Region I as well. Forsan suffered some big graduation losses from a 10-2 squad a year ago, but we give the Buffaloes the nod for the number two seed over Christoval who is making the move up from Division II. Ozona, despite their youth gets the pick for the final playoff spot over Reagan County who does have the edge when it comes to experience.

Hawley, last year’s state runner-up in 2A-Division I has their sights set on a state title as the Bearcats return fifteen starters and nearly every key skill position player from 2021. If they can answer a few questions in the trenches, Hawley is the team to beat. Cisco, who was the regional runner-up a year ago brings back fifteen starters as well and if the Loboes can stay healthy they’ll be Hawley’s biggest challenger not only inside of 4-2A Division I, but also in Region I. The rest of this district has the chance to be really stout as well, headlined by Olney who brings back ten starters on both sides of the ball from an area round playoff squad. Anson, Stamford and Winters all expect to be improved and will be contending for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-2A Division I

1. Stratford
2. Panhandle
3. Farwell
4. Sanford-Fritch
5. Amarillo Highland Park
6. Stinnett West Texas

District 2-2A Division I

1. New Deal
2. Sundown
3. Post
4. Olton
5. Floydada
6. Tahoka

District 3-2A Division I

1. Sonora
2. Forsan
3. Christoval
4. Ozona
5. Reagan County
6. Anthony

District 4-2A Division I

1. Hawley
2. Cisco
3. Olney
4. Anson
5. Stamford
6. Winters
7. Colorado City

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 Stratford vs F2 Olton

R4 Cisco vs T3 Christoval

W2 New Deal vs F1 Sanford-Fritch

R3 Forsan vs T4 Olney

W3 Sonora vs F4 Anson

R2 Sundown vs T1 Farwell

W4 Hawley vs F3 Ozona

R1 Panhandle vs T2 Post

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hawley over Cisco