REGIONAL OUTLOOK

East Texas is definitely where the power lies in Region II with three of the state’s top five teams in the preseason rankings, headlined by defending state champion Carthage. Can powerful Texarkana Pleasant Grove or Gilmer challenge the Bulldogs for Region II and take the mantle as state title favorites?

Aubrey rolled to a district title and regional semifinal appearance, but the Chaparrals could take a step back in 2023 as they bring back just four starters on both sides of the ball. Gainesville was a surprise area round playoff team a year ago in Year 2 under Neil Searcy, and the Leopards are primed to pose a real threat within the district with 17 returning starters. Things are pretty wide open after the top two teams with any of the five remaining teams having a legitimate shot at one of the final two playoff spots.

Caddo Mills and Sunnyvale will battle it out for the top spot in 6-4A Division II as these two have separated themselves from the pack. Dallas Lincoln looks ready to overtake Quinlan Ford for the third playoff spot, while Dallas Roosevelt and Wills Point are still rebuilding.

In Northeast Texas, the district race in 7-4A Division II is highlighted by the two titans who have been battling it out for district supremacy the past five years or so in Gilmer and Pleasant Grove. Last year, Gilmer got the better of the Hawks in district play, but the bracket broke in Pleasant Grove’s favor as it avoided Carthage until the fourth round, while Gilmer had them in Round 3. Pleasant Grove gets the slight edge over Gilmer early on, but the race is really too close to call.

There’s no doubt who the top team is in 8-4A Division II as defending state champion Carthage stands above the field in this district and the Bulldogs enter the year favored to repeat as state champions. Center has a lot of holes to fill on defense, but the Roughriders offense should be enough to give them the second seed over Van and Rusk.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-4A Division II

1. Aubrey
2. Gainesville
3. Sanger
4. Van Alstyne
5. Krum
6. Farmersville
7. Bridgeport

District 6-4A Division II

1. Caddo Mills
2. Sunnyvale
3. Dallas Lincoln
4. Quinlan Ford
5. Wills Point
6. Dallas Roosevelt

District 7-4A Division II

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

District 8-4A Division II

1. Carthage
2. Center
3. Rusk
4. Van
5. Brownsboro
6. Canton
7. Bullard

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Aubrey vs F6 Quinlan Ford

R8 Center vs T7 Texarkana Liberty-Eylau

W6 Caddo Mills vs F5 Van Alstyne

R7 Gilmer vs T8 Rusk

W7 Texarkana Pleasant Grove vs F8 Van

R6 Sunnyvale vs T5 Sanger

W8 Carthage vs F7 Pittsburg

R5 Gainesville vs T6 Dallas Lincoln

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Carthage over Gilmer