Stepp's 5A DII Region I Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

Change could be afoot in February when UIL Realignment hits as movement is expected in the Sun City, but for one more year we get the mega-district in 5A-Division II. Once again, Del Valle led by their sensational QB is the pick to take home the top seed, the Conquistadors will be young at spots so that’s something to watch. That could open the door for an improved Chapin squad to take the next step and contend, along with a young, but always feisty Canutillo bunch. The race for fourth looks to be a two-horse race between Andress and Hanks.

2-5A Division II was a fun district to watch at the top with Abilene Wylie winning the crown last year but there were some thrilling games involvingWichita Falls Memorial, and Lubbock Cooper as well. Those three will be in contention again, but there’s a new contender moving in this year as Amarillo Palo Duro may be ready for a breakout season. The Dons bring back a ton of experience and with Memorial, Wylie, Lubbock Cooper and Abilene Cooper all losing large senior classes the door may open for the Dons to not only get into the playoffs, but challenge to host a bi-district game if things break right.

The depth in 3-5A Division II is as good as any in the state, but the district struggled in the playoffs winning just one bi-district game (Argyle). The Eagles are heavy favorites to win the district title again and possibly challenge to make a state title game appearance, but the district has some tough customers. Colleyville Heritage has playmakers to be dangerous, while Mansfield Timberview’s speed and toughness makes them a difficult challenge. Mansfield Summit, Arlington Seguin and The Colony all can pose problems, while a vastly improved Burleson team would be a playoff contender in most districts in 2025.

The top of 4-5A Division II is as good as any in the state with four teams fully capable of winning the regional title. Yet it was newcomer Walnut Grove who stunned the state bringing home the district title in their first official varsity season. The Wildcats are likely headed to 5A-Division I and possibly Class 6A in the next realignment, so they will have a major numbers edge over teams at the 5A-Division II level. Anna with a three-year starter at QB and a veteran defense is plenty dangerous, can the Coyotes young skill players take the next step to put them in contention? Lovejoy is in year two under Todd Dodge, but the Leopards are young at the skill spots. Melissa shockingly missed the playoffs a year ago, the Cardinals are loaded in the trenches, they have big numbers as well and should be able to get back into the playoffs. No one went unblemished in this district last year and the same could be said this year with four top 20 teams in this meat-grinder.
 

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-5A Division II

1. El Paso Del Valle
2. El Paso Chapin
3. Canutillo
4. El Paso Andress
5. El Paso Hanks
6. El Paso Burges
7. El Paso
8. Clint Horizon
9. El Paso Jefferson

District 2-5A Division II

1. Wichita Falls Memorial
2. Abilene Wylie
3. Lubbock Cooper
4. Amarillo Palo Duro
5. Abilene Cooper
6. Plainview
7. Wichita Falls Legacy

District 3-5A Division II

1. Argyle
2. Colleyville Heritage
3. Mansfield Timberview
4. Mansfield Summit
5. Arlington Seguin
6. The Colony
7. Burleson
8. Grapevine
9. Everman

District 4-5A Division II

1. Prosper Walnut Grove
2. Anna
3. Lovejoy
4. Melissa
5. Frisco Emerson
6. Denison
7. Frisco Memorial
8. Frisco Liberty
9. Frisco Independence

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 El Paso Del Valle vs F2 Amarillo Palo Duro

R4 Anna vs T3 Mansfield Timberview

W2 Wichita Falls Memorial vs F1 El Paso Andress

R3 Colleyville Heritage vs T4 Lovejoy

W3 Argyle vs F4 Melissa

R2 Abilene Wylie vs T1 Canutillo

W4 Prosper Walnut Grove vs F3 Mansfield Summit

R1 El Paso Chapin vs T2 Lubbock Cooper

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Argyle over Anna