REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Crawford and Tolar went toe-to-toe for Region II bragging rights a year ago with Crawford getting the edge. Both teams lost good groups of seniors, but they’ll still contend. Can 2021 regional champion Marlin get back in the mix after struggling a year ago?

Tolar enters 2023 as the team to beat in 5-2A Division I as the Rattlers are likely in their final season as a 2A program. They return one of the state’s leading rushers but will need to replace some key losses on defense. Coleman has one of the region’s most dynamic players at the QB spot, but the Bluecats don’t have the depth to keep up with Tolar, especially in the trenches. Hamilton was a surprise regional semifinalist a year ago and the Bulldogs return a loaded team, so don’t be surprised if they push as high as the two-spot. San Saba and Bangs will duke it out for the final playoff spot, give the edge to the Armadillos in 2023.  

District 6-2A Division I got swept out of the playoffs by 5-2A Division I a year ago, but the race inside of the district should be intriguing as last year’s district champion Tioga has a new coach and seven new starters on the defensive side of the ball. Trenton, which barely missed out on the playoffs a year ago, brings back an impressive 16 starters and could be ready to take a big leap forward, while Nocona, Alvord and Whitewright will battle for the final playoff spot as Tom Bean is ineligible for the playoffs due to UIL sanctions.

It’ll be a real battle at the top of 7-2A Division I as Axtell, which surged late in the year, and defending district champion Cayuga will be in the mix for the district title. Kerens is a strong bet for the three seed as the Bobcats lost just four seniors from a team that was able to sneak into the playoffs. After a late season collapse resulted in missing the playoffs and a coaching change, Italy should stabilize a bit and hold off Rio Vista for the final playoff spot.

Defending regional champion Crawford enters the year as the favorite in 8-2A Division I despite some heavy graduation losses, but the Pirates get a real push from Marlin who graduated just five seniors from last year’s area round playoff team. Rosebud-Lott should be improved as well with 13 back from a playoff team. Riesel has a new coach and some question marks, but should have enough to hold off Valley Mills and Bosqueville for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-2A Division I

1. Tolar
2. Coleman
3. Hamilton
4. San Saba
5. Bangs
6. De Leon
7. Goldthwaite

District 6-2A Division I

1. Tioga
2. Trenton
3. Nocona
4. Alvord
5. Whitewright
6. Tom Bean

District 7-2A Division I

1. Axtell
2. Cayuga
3. Kerens
4. Italy
5. Rio Vista
6. Itasca
7. Malakoff Cross Roads

District 8-2A Division I

1. Crawford
2. Marlin
3. Rosebud-Lott
4. Riesel
5. Bosqueville
6. Valley Mills
7. Moody
8. Bruceville-Eddy

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Tolar vs F6 Alvord

R8 Marlin vs T7 Kerens

W6 Tioga vs F5 San Saba

R7 Cayuga vs T8 Rosebud-Lott

W7 Axtell vs F8 Riesel

R6 Trenton vs T5 Hamilton

W8 Crawford vs F7 Italy

R5 Coleman vs T6 Nocona

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Tolar over Crawford