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

Frisco Lone Star enters the season as the big favorite in 5-5A Division I and the Rangers have hopes of possibly challenging for the state title in 2025. That doesn’t mean the rest of the district isn’t good, in fact there’s six other teams fully capable of competing for a playoff spot as Frisco ISD always produces good depth and solid teams across the board. Wakeland’s defense should be improved to the point that they get the edge for the two seed, while speedy McKinney North holds off a young Reedy squad for third. Frisco may have the best offense in the district but they’ll be young on offense, Frisco Heritage and Sherman are also both dangerous enough to slip into the post-season mix as well.

West Mesquite was one of the great stories of 2024 as in Stephen Jackson’s first season the Wranglers rolled to an 11-1 record and a district title. They should be even better in 2025 with fifteen starters returning and the experience of last year’s playoff games under their belts. Newman Smith is primed to be improved with fourteen starters back from an 8-3 squad, but can the Trojans find playoff success? Creekview didn’t win a game in 2022 or 2023 and despite being hired in early June, Dusty Ortiz turned the Mustangs into a playoff team posting a sensational 8-3 mark. The Mustangs on paper also expect to be improved with seven starters back on both sides. The real fun will be the race for fourth place, where WT White holds off North Mesquite to get the last playoff spot.

Highland Park always plays a ton of seniors, so looking at returning starters is often a futile exercise when it comes to the Scots. What we do know is when Highland Park is 5A they are a title contender and they return an elite signal caller in junior QB Buck Randall who led HP to the state title game a year ago. They are the district favorite, but Midlothian after winning ten games a year ago should be right in the mix with key experience back. Red Oak and Tyler are ultra-talented, their stories will be told by how they hold up in the trenches. Burleson Centennial and Joshua will both be competitive but on the outside looking in.

Moving down to Central Texas there’s some clear tiers in 8-5A Division I, with the top tier sitting with Cedar Park and Georgetown likely fighting it out for the district crown. Cedar Park with fifteen starters back gets the nod over a Georgetown squad that should be great on offense, but has questions with youth on the defensive side. Lake Belton is the pick for the three seed over Leander Rouse, but they both should be in the playoffs. Leander, East View and a much-improved Killeen Chaparral don’t look to get into the top four, but among each other, those three teams should be very competitive.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-5A Division I

1. Frisco Lone Star
2. Frisco Wakeland
3. McKinney North
4. Frisco Reedy
5. Frisco
6. Frisco Heritage
7. Sherman
8. Frisco Lebanon Trail
9. Frisco Centennial

District 6-5A Division I

1. West Mesquite
2. Carrollton Smith
3. Carrollton Creekview
4. Dallas White
5. North Mesquite
6. Dallas Adams
7. Dallas Molina
8. Carrollton Turner
9. Dallas Sunset

District 7-5A Division I

1. Highland Park
2. Midlothian
3. Red Oak
4. Tyler
5. Burleson Centennial
6. Joshua
7. Cleburne

District 8-5A Division I

1. Cedar Park
2. Georgetown
3. Lake Belton
4. Leander Rouse
5. Leander
6. Georgetown East View
7. Killeen Chaparral
8. Leander Glenn

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W5 Frisco Lone Star vs F6 Dallas White

R8 Georgetown vs T7 Red Oak

W6 West Mesquite vs F5 Frisco Reedy

R7 Midlothian vs T8 Lake Belton

W7 Highland Park vs F8 Leander Rouse

R6 Carrollton Smith vs T5 McKinney North

W8 Cedar Park vs F7 Tyler

R5 Frisco Wakeland vs T6 Carrollton Creekview

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Frisco Lone Star over Highland Park