Stepp's 2A DI Region IV Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

Marlin is the team to beat in 13-2A Division I with its 13 returning starters from a regional finalist squad. Crawford, which struggled a year ago and still made the area playoffs, has a new head coach but Ty Robinson is a proven winner after taking Woodville to a state title game. Rosebud-Lott and Riesel are good bets for the final two playoff spots, but both could easily sneak into the two seed.

After a strong 11-2 season, Mason has a new head coach in Wade Griffin and they’ll have a new offensive identity. They are also returning only five starters but tradition puts the Punchers at top until proven otherwise. The battle for second should be a war between Thorndale and San Saba; both of whom should be much improved. Holland is on their third head coach in three years, but the Hornets have enough to get the last playoff spot.

Defending state champion Ganado graduated a stellar senior class, but the cupboard isn’t bare for the Indians with RB Logan Bures and WR Austen Pena back. The key is who will a young defense hold up? Weimar and Schulenburg both have new coaches. Could that open the door for Kenedy, which brings nine back on both sides of the ball?

Refugio will lean heavily on its strong senior class as it tries to over-take Ganado, which has won Region IV the last two years. Three Rivers defense should be enough to get the two seed, while Santa Maria is hopeful with seven starters back on both sides of the ball.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-2A Division I

1. Marlin
2. Crawford
3. Rosebud-Lott
4. Riesel
5. Bruceville-Eddy
6. Moody

District 14-2A Division I

1. Mason
2. Thorndale
3. San Saba
4. Holland
5. Johnson City
6. Harper

District 15-2A Division I

1. Ganado
2. Weimar
3. Kenedy
4. Schulenburg
5. Bloomington
6. Flatonia
7. Danbury

District 16-2A Division I

1. Refugio
2. Three Rivers
3. Santa Maria
4. Freer
5. Skidmore-Tynan
6. Premont
7. Riviera Kaufer

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Marlin vs F14 Holland

R16 Three Rivers vs T15 Kenedy

W14 Mason vs F13 Riesel

R15 Weimar vs T16 Santa Maria

W15 Ganado vs F16 Freer

R14 Thorndale vs T13 Rosebud-Lott

W16 Refugio vs F15 Schulenburg

R13 Crawford vs T14 San Saba

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Refugio over Marlin