REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Decatur was the surprise regional winner a year ago under first-year head coach Steve Huff and the Eagles enter 2023 as the team to beat once again in Region I.

El Paso Riverside has carried the torch for the small schools in the Sun City the past few years and the Rangers are poised to repeat as district champions with seven back on both sides of the ball. They do have to replace a Division I signee at the QB spot, so they may not be quite as dynamic offensively, but they’ll be improved in other areas. Austin gets the edge for the two spot; the Panther have zero depth, but they are a tough and hard-nosed team that knows how to win.

It's a two-horse race at the top of 2-4A Division I with last year’s district runner-up Lubbock Estacado getting the edge over Brownwood. The Matadors return 16 starters and are in Year 2 under head coach Will Blaylock, while Brownwood must replace 10 starters of last year’s prolific offense. Big Spring returns a strong core as well, so give the Steers the three spot over Andrews, which suffered heavy graduation losses and is totally transitioning their offense to the Slot-T from the spread.

Things in the panhandle should be super competitive in 2023 with the top three teams all suffering heavy graduation losses. Does that open the door for a veteran Hereford squad to make a move up the standings? Canyon Randall is also dealing with a late offseason coaching change and the full effects of West Plains opening up across town which has cut into their numbers.

Decatur, after its state semifinal run a year ago, enters as the heavy favorite to repeat as Region I champions and their toughest challenge may come from inside the district where last year’s regional runner-up Wichita Falls lurks along with what should be a vastly improved Springtown squad. Burkburnett and Mineral Wells will battle it out for the final playoff slot, with Mineral Wells getting the nod in a slight upset.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-4A Division I

1. El Paso Riverside
2. El Paso Austin
3. El Paso Bowie
4. El Paso Irvin
5. San Elizario

District 2-4A Division I

1. Lubbock Estacado
2. Brownwood
3. Big Spring
4. Andrews
5. San Angelo Lake View

District 3-4A Division I

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

District 4-4A Division I

1. Decatur
2. Springtown
3. Wichita Falls
4. Mineral Wells
5. Burkburnett

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 El Paso Riverside vs F2 Andrews

R4 Springtown vs T3 Canyon Randall

W2 Lubbock Estacado vs F1 El Paso Irvin

R3 Dumas vs T4 Wichita Falls

W3 Canyon vs F4 Mineral Wells

R2 Brownwood vs T1 El Paso Bowie

W4 Decatur vs F3 Hereford

R1 El Paso Austin vs T2 Big Spring

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Decatur over Lubbock Estacado