Glen Rose has taken home the Region I title in back-to-back years, an impressive feat considering 2023 was supposed to be a “down” year for the Tigers. Can Glen Rose make it a three-peat in a region that top to bottom is much tougher with the addition of Brock from 3A and Lubbock Estacado dropping down from Division I after a ten-win season a year ago.

Heading out west look for Monahans and Seminole to battle it out for the district crown, both teams advanced to the third round of the playoffs a year ago and both return similar numbers. Monahans does have the question mark of replacing a record setting QB, while Seminole suffered some key losses in the trenches. Fort Stockton brings seventeen starters back and expects to hold off a charge from Greenwood, while Snyder is in transition under a new coaching staff.

Travel is still heavy in this district that stretches from the southern edges of Lubbock to north of Amarillo, but one thing that is clear is Lubbock Estacado looks like the class of the district. The Matadors do have holes to fill on defense and they endured a late coaching change, but the pieces are there for a district title run. Perryton also went through a coaching change after a surprise area playoff appearance, the Rangers have had a difficult off-season due to off-field issues, but the new staff has brought energy. Lubbock Liberty is the real mystery box in this district, the Patriots begin varsity play and most believe they’ll be a formidable foe sooner, rather than later.

Graham gets the early edge in 3-4A Division II as the Steers return a senior heavy crew from a 10-2 squad, Brock up from Class 3A-Division I where they’ve been a powerhouse will be a real force, but the Eagles did get hit with some graduation losses. Mineral Wells on the strength of eight starters back on defense looks like a potential sleeper, while Burkburnett will be playing for something bigger than themselves as they play for their former head coach Brad Boyd who passed away early in the off-season.

Glen Rose is a heavy favorite in 4-4A Division II as the Tigers welcome back fifteen total starters from a state semifinalist squad. Dunbar, down from Division I gets the edge for the two seed over Godley who went through a very late coaching change. Benbrook, a playoff team from last year should hold off a solid Hillsboro squad who made the playoffs a year ago as well.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-4A Division II

1. Monahans
2. Seminole
3. Fort Stockton
4. Midland Greenwood
5. Snyder

District 2-4A Division II

1. Lubbock Estacado
2. Perryton
3. Borger
4. Lubbock Liberty
5. Levelland

District 3-4A Division II

1. Graham
2. Brock
3. Mineral Wells
4. Burkburnett
5. Bridgeport
6. Eagle Mountain

District 4-4A Division II

1. Glen Rose
2. Fort Worth Dunbar
3. Godley
4. Benbrook
5. Hillsboro
6. Venus

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 Monahans vs F2 Lubbock Liberty

R4 Fort Worth Dunbar vs T3 Mineral Wells

W2 Lubbock Estacado vs F1 Midland Greenwood

R3 Brock vs T4 Godley

W3 Graham vs F4 Benbrook

R2 Perryton vs T1 Fort Stockton

W4 Glen Rose vs F3 Burkburnett

R1 Seminole vs T2 Borger

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Glen Rose over Brock