Stepp's 4A DI Region II Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

In District 5-4A Division I, last year’s district champion Springtown gets the nod over Decatur as the Porcupines return seven starters on the defense, that should carry them while a young offense gets up to speed. Eastern Hills graduated just six players from a playoff team a year ago and the Highlanders will look to be the top team representing FWISD in this district, while Southwest with seven starters back on both sides of the ball is the pick the final playoff spot.

After a run to the regional finals a year ago, Alvarado will lean on their veteran defense and a stout running game to carry the way as they break in a new signal caller and several new receivers. Kennedale took home a state title in basketball and is among the most consistent teams in the area, but the Wildcats are a couple of notches below the elite level that a few years ago had them challenging for a state title. Ranchview has made great strides under Richard Leonard and they should have enough to hold off what will be a much-improved Lake Worth squad under second year head coach Todd Peterman.

There’s not a better district in the state of Texas in 4A-Division I than 7-4A Division I, where defending state champion Celina is the headliner. The Bobcats are likely in their swan song as a 4A program so they have the advantage of big numbers and an elite group of skill players, but they lost their entire offensive line and several key pieces on defense. Frisco Panther Creek is headlined by three elite level prospects, but can the State 7-on-7 champions build the complimentary pieces to take Celina out like they did in 2023? Sulphur Springs is picked third in district and the Wildcats are a legit top ten team with the most experience back of anyone in the district. Paris looks to over-take a young Aubrey squad for the final playoff spot, the Wildcats offense will be absolutely loaded.

Expect some competitive games in the Dallas ISD 4A district, with last year’s champion Kimball getting the ever so slight edge over Carter, on paper the two teams are evenly matched, expect a close game in the Oak Cliff Super Bowl to decide the district crown. There’s a second tier of evenly matched teams for the final two playoff spots with five teams realistically having a case for the playoffs. Only Dallas Conrad enters the year as a long shot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-4A Division I

1. Springtown
2. Decatur
3. Fort Worth Eastern Hills
4. Fort Worth Southwest
5. Fort Worth Western Hills
6. Fort Worth Carter-Riverside
7. Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis

District 6-4A Division I

1. Alvarado
2. Kennedale
3. Carrollton Ranchview
4. Lake Worth
5. River Oaks Castleberry
6. Waxahachie Life

District 7-4A Division I

1. Celina
2. Frisco Panther Creek
3. Sulphur Springs
4. Paris
5. Aubrey
6. Lake Dallas
7. Nevada Community

District 8-4A Division I

1. Dallas Kimball
2. Dallas Carter
3. Dallas Lincoln
4. Wilmer-Hutchins
5. Dallas Pinkston
6. North Dallas
7. Dallas Roosevelt
8. Dallas Conrad

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Springtown vs F6 Lake Worth

R8 Dallas Carter vs T7 Sulphur Springs

W6 Alvarado vs F5 Fort Worth Southwest

R7 Frisco Panther Creek vs T8 Dallas Lincoln

W7 Celina vs F8 Wilmer-Hutchins

R6 Kennedale vs T5 Fort Worth Eastern Hills

W8 Dallas Kimball vs F7 Paris

R5 Decatur vs T6 Carrollton Ranchview

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Celina over Sulphur Springs