Newcomer San Antonio Davenport in just their second varsity season took home the Region IV crown a year ago. Although the Wolves are among the favorites to win the region again, there’s some tough next teams that have crashed the Region IV party after an interesting UIL Realignment.

Austin LBJ drops back down to 4A-Division I, where the Jaguars in 2021 played for a state title. They’ll be runaway favorites in this district and only Taylor really has any hope of staying competitive for more than a half. Travis and Northeast drop down from 5A and they’ll find the new district to their liking as both expect to be in the mix for a playoff spot.

After advancing to the state semifinals a year ago, Davenport has their eyes set on a repeat run and it starts in 14-4A Division I where they enter as prohibitive favorites. Somerset and a much-improved Fredericksburg squad will be battling it out for the second seed, while keep an eye on Canyon Lake who has the makings of a sleeper.

Without question 15-4A Division I is a difficult district as the addition of two strong teams from Region III in Bay City and El Campo means that a team that won at least one playoff game a year ago won’t even advance to the playoffs. Bay City’s experience and overall athleticism gives them the edge in this loop, but arch-rival El Campo will be tough. Calhoun after a surprise regional final run a year ago will be better, while La Vernia and Beeville Jones bring experience back but they have new head coaches for 2024.

It's a two-horse race at the top of 16-4A Division I where Calallen and Tuloso-Midway, both under new head coaches are still far and away the leaders of this district. Things get really intriguing for the last two playoff spots where Zapata, Hidalgo and Valley View all look to be contenders.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-4A Division I

1. Austin LBJ
2. Taylor
3. Austin Travis
4. Austin Northeast
5. Manor New Tech
6. Austin Eastside
7. Austin Achieve

District 14-4A Division I

1. San Antonio Davenport
2. Somerset
3. Fredericksburg
4. Canyon Lake
5. Pleasanton
6. Uvalde
7. San Antonio Kennedy

District 15-4A Division I

1. Bay City
2. El Campo
3. Port Lavaca Calhoun
4. La Vernia
5. Beeville Jones
6. Floresville

District 16-4A Division I

1. Corpus Christi Calallen
2. Tuloso-Midway
3. Pharr Valley View
4. Zapata
5. Hidalgo

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Austin LBJ vs F14 Canyon Lake

R16 Tuloso-Midway vs T15 Port Lavaca Calhoun

W14 San Antonio Davenport vs F13 Austin Northeast

R15 El Campo vs T16 Pharr Valley View

W15 Bay City vs F16 Zapata

R14 Somerset vs T13 Austin Travis

W16 Corpus Christi Calallen vs F15 La Vernia

R13 Taylor vs T14 Fredericksburg

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Bay City over Austin LBJ