It's Aledo or the field in Class 5A Division I, but the Class 5A Division II regions are the most balanced they've been in years.

Greg Tepper and Matt Stepp's quotes are pulled from Tep&Stepp's Class Preview podcasts.

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Class 5A DI

Magazine Prediction: Aledo

The Bearcats' spectacular offense will overpower teams, but it's the defense that leads them to historic title No. 13.

Greg Tepper: Aledo

"Is it an Aledo year, or is it not an Aledo year? That is, ultimately, the animating question around Class 5A Division I. The last time that Aledo missed consecutive state championship games was 2007-08. This is a good ball club with a lot of Aledo-type guys on this team, the players who are really good at their spot. Kaydon Finley is a freakshow wide receiver. Adding Chase Wilburn at linebacker, that front seven is going to be dangerous."

Matt Stepp: La Porte
"The Bulldogs have a three-year starter back at quarterback, Aiden Saenz. Stud linebacker Ashton Ruffin (90 tackles, 10 TFL). One of the top sophomore running backs in the country in Sean Simon (1,609 yards, 21 touchdowns). La Porte's got the pieces, and they've got the playoff experience. They went four rounds deep last year. And, they're playing a home game this year! They hadn't played a home game in two years because their stadium got rebuilt. The new stadium looks beautiful. I love La Porte this year."

Carter Yates: Aledo

Here's a hyper-specific prediction: Aledo's 127-game district winning streak (since 2007) comes to an end October 3 against Denton Ryan. That loss then spurs the team to a 13th state championship. 

Class 5A DII

Magazine Prediction: Richmond Randle

On the strength of an explosive attack and a newfound swagger, the Lions make it back-to-back championships.

Greg Tepper: Brenham

"I've been Cub-pilled. Brenham's got the juice this year. Star running back Jakoby Dixon, two-way athlete Chris Guidry, they're loaded at Brenham and 17 starters are back." 

Matt Stepp: Iowa Colony

"Iowa Colony went 12–2 last year, and both losses were to eventual state champion Richmond Randle. I was at the second playoff game that went to overtime, which was a knockdown, drag-out war. Ray Garza's squad brings back a lot. Jayden Warren, the stud wide receiver. I love the junior quarterback Carson White, who's already started 27 games. You know they've got speed - state champions in boys' track."

Carter Yates: South Oak Cliff

When Mike Tyson was in his prime, his first punch was staring into the soul of the man he was about to knock out. After four consecutive state championship game appearances, South Oak Cliff has a reputation and swagger that gives them a lead as soon as they step on the field.

I'm picking the Golden Bears because their dynasty has adapted. South Oak Cliff lost the last two state championship games, in part, because of an inconsistent downfield passing attack. This offseason was the first time South Oak Cliff competed in 7-on-7, and junior Jaden Williams emerged as the starting quarterback after leading the team to the Division I Texas State 7-on-7 Championship Game. 

South Oak Cliff has one of the best offensive lines in Class 5A, Power Four commits on every level of the defense, and something to prove after falling just short the past two years.