DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-2A Division I

1. Spearman
2. Panhandle
3. Amarillo Highland Park
4. Sunray
5. Sanford-Fritch

After being picked to the win the regional title by many (self-included) last year, Panhandle could be taking a step back this year as PHS returns only four offensive and five defensive starters. Replacing an incredibly productive QB will be priority one for Dane Ashley. The door could be opening up for Spearman as the Lynx got hot late in the year advancing to the regional semifinals and they return eight starters on both sides of the ball. Highland Park was a playoff team a year ago; the Hornets will look to lean on their veteran defense that returns eight starters, while Sunray is in Year 2 of a rebuild; the Bobcats return eight starters on both sides of the ball and should be much-improved.

District 2-2A Division I

1. Hale Center
2. Farwell
3. Olton
4. Tulia
5. Floydada

Defending district champion Hale Center will look to erase the sting of a shocking first round playoff upset a year ago. The Owls bring back seven starters on both sides of the ball and should be right in the mix along with always tough Farwell. Farwell returns 13 starters and has the edge of having played in a Division I district a year ago, but I’m leaning to the team speed of Hale Center as the district champ. Olton has some good momentum going into 2026 as 17 starters return and the Mustangs have the excitement of making the 7-on-7 State Tournament in June. Tulia, who has 17 starters returning, is dropping down from 3A-Division II and expects to not only be a playoff team, but challenge for a spot possibly as high as two if things break right.

District 3-2A Division I

1. Post
2. New Deal
3. New Home
4. Abernathy
5. Sundown

This South Plains loop in my view is clearly the top district in Region I and this likely could produce your eventual regional champion. Post, who went 13-1 in 2024, fell back to the pack a bit a year ago going 8-3, but the Antelopes look poised for contention with eight starters back on both sides of the ball led by QB Landyn Garcia. Add in support from a 7-2 JV bunch and the Bold Gold are a regional and district favorite. New Deal and New Home will be locked in a very competitive battle for the two-seed. New Home posted a regional semifinal appearance ago but graduated pretty heavy and that could open things for New Deal to snatch that second spot. Abernathy and Sundown will battle for the final playoff spot; the loser of that battle will be a tough luck fifth place bunch.

District 4-2A Division I

1. Sonora
2. Ozona
3. Forsan
4. Ballinger
5. Christoval
6. Reagan County
7. Colorado City

There are a lot of improved teams in this district, which spans the Permian Basin and moves down into the Concho Valley. Ozona raced through the district at 10-0 a year ago before falling in the first round of the playoffs. The Lions lose a record-setting running back but bring back 14 starters and 26 lettermen. Sonora, who has been the dominant power in the area over the years, has 16 starters back and could surpass Ozona if things break right. Forsan lost just four seniors to graduation; the Buffaloes made the playoffs in 2025 and should see a repeat. The real battle will be for that fourth spot. I’m taking Ballinger in a slight upset as the Bearcats have eight back on both sides, but Christoval, a playoff team a year ago, awaits; Reagan County also brings a ton back. Even Colorado City, who lost just five seniors, expects to be much-improved, so every game in this loop will be massive.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W1 Spearman vs F2 Tulia

R4 Ozona vs T3 New Home

W2 Hale Center vs F1 Sunray

R3 New Deal vs T4 Forsan

W3 Post vs F4 Ballinger

R2 Farwell vs T1 Amarillo Highland Park

W4 Sonora vs F3 Abernathy

R1 Panhandle vs T2 Olton

Spearman expects to cruise at the top of this bracket. The way things break, getting that 1-seed in 1-2A Division I offers up a path with significantly less resistance in my opinion. Post is the team to beat at the bottom, but an area round game against Farwell and a possible Thanksgiving showdown with Panhandle or Sonora is no picnic either. But Post’s team speed and playoff experience gives them the edge to make a semifinal appearance.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Post over Spearman