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

South Oak Cliff has absolutely dominated Region II the past four seasons with four straight state title game appearances and going into 2025 SOC is primed to dominate Region II and 5-5A Division II once again. The real battle in this district will be for the final three playoff  spots where there’s a lot of parity. Hillcrest with veteran experience at the QB spot in year two under Coach Madise’s system gets the pick for the two seed, Samuell was outstanding last year until UIL penalties derailed the season, the Spartans don’t have a ton of depth so staying healthy will be crucial. Woodrow Wilson and Seagoville looks like a dead heat on paper for the final spot.

In 6-5A Division II the district title race will be intriguing as Midlothian Heritage based on pedigree gets the pick over an explosive Crandall squad who should have the most dynamic offensive attack in the district. Don’t count out an always tough Terrell squad, while Kaufman brings back enough from an area round playoff team to be dangerous. Ennis has a lot to replace on offense, but the Lions defense with nine starters back should be among the best in the district. Mesquite Poteet expects to be improved as well in 2025 under a new head coach.

Texas High is the consensus pick out in East Texas, the Tigers must replace a FBS signee at QB, but they are absolutely electric at the other spots on offense. Texas High’s defense should be better, but Coach Stanford’s team has been hit by injuries the last two years on that side, so they’ve got to build depth or hope they can remain healthy if they want to challenge SOC for the regional title. Marshall has the pieces back to be a contender for the two seed, but the Mavericks took some hits to graduation and their top defensive player moving away this off-season. They had a strong ten-win season and will be in position to host a first-round playoff game. Mount Pleasant has knocked on the door of the playoffs the past two years, but fading late in the year has done the Tigers in, Coach Cluley welcomes back thirty lettermen so MPHS may have the depth and numbers to navigate a full schedule.

8-5A Division II was an absolute dog-fight a year ago and should feature more of the same in 2025, Huntsville gets the edge based on their running game and the development of their sensational young signal caller, but the Hornets have a new coach so how will that transition work itself out? Port Neches-Groves won the district last year on the strength of their close win over Huntsville and a late collapse by Nederland, the Indians won state in 2023 and fell in the regional finals a year ago, but 41 seniors graduated. Nederland was great early in the season but faded down the stretch, a lot of key pieces have moved on so the Bulldogs will be young. Montgomery has veteran experience on offense, but the defense has a lot of youth. Lake Creek and Dayton are lurking and could easily jump into the playoff mix as well in this really fun district.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-5A Division II

1. South Oak Cliff
2. Dallas Hillcrest
3. Dallas Samuell
4. Dallas Wilson
5. Seagoville
6. Dallas Adamson
7. Dallas Spruce
8. Dallas Jefferson

District 6-5A Division II

1. Midlothian Heritage
2. Crandall
3. Terrell
4. Kaufman
5. Ennis
6. Mesquite Poteet
7. Corsicana
8. Greenville

District 7-5A Division II

1. Texarkana Texas
2. Marshall
3. Mount Pleasant
4. Whitehouse
5. Hallsville
6. Nacogdoches
7. Jacksonville

District 8-5A Division II

1. Huntsville
2. Port Neches-Groves
3. Nederland
4. Montgomery
5. Montgomery Lake Creek
6. Dayton
7. New Caney West Fork
8. Splendora

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 South Oak Cliff vs F6 Kaufman

R8 Port Neches-Groves vs T7 Mount Pleasant

W6 Midlothian Heritage vs F5 Dallas Wilson

R7 Marshall vs T8 Nederland

W7 Texarkana Texas vs F8 Montgomery

R6 Crandall vs T5 Dallas Samuell

W8 Huntsville vs F7 Whitehouse

R5 Dallas Hillcrest vs T6 Terrell

REGIONAL CHAMPION

South Oak Cliff over Texarkana Texas