Stepp's 2A DI Region II Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-2A Division I

1. Cisco
2. DeLeon
3. Hawley
4. Anson
5. Hico
6. Abilene TLC

Cisco enters as not only the favorite in this rugged district, but the Loboes may be ready to take the step as a regional favorite. After a 12-2 mark a year ago, Cisco returns eight starters on both sides of the ball; this the senior class the folks in Eastland County have been waiting on. DeLeon and Hawley could be locked in a death struggle for that two-seed and a second meeting Thanksgiving weekend could be in the cards. DeLeon gets the ever so slight edge here. Anson is a tough-luck pick for fourth; the Tigers were 8-4 a year ago and return 14 starters, but this district is just brutal. They’ll have to hold off always tough Hico, which brings back seven starters on both sides of the ball from a playoff team as well. Aside from struggling Abilene TLC, this district is the best and deepest in the region.

District 6-2A Division I

1. Muenster
2. Tioga
3. Alvord
4. Olney
5. Nocona
6. Chico

The headliner in this district is back-to-back state champion Muenster, which moves up to 2A-Division I in 2026. The Hornets do have playmakers back, but replacing a four-year starter at the QB spot is going to be a tall task in this tough region. However, pedigree and tradition gives the Hornets the nod over Tioga and Alvord. Tioga fell back to the pack a bit last year, but 22 seniors and 15 total starters are returning for the Bulldogs. Another set of Bulldogs from Alvord have a claim to the crown after winning a district title a year ago. Alvord has six back on both sides of the ball and they are in year two under head coach Matt Fanning, who won a state title as head coach at Jim Ned. Olney should greatly benefit from this alignment as the Cubs and their 17 starters with 25 returning lettermen get the edge over Nocona and Chico for the last playoff spot.

District 7-2A Division I

1. Mason
2. Brady
3. Johnson City
4. San Saba
5. Bangs
6. Coleman

After a long run in Region IV, Mason moves back to Region I where the Punchers expect to be right in the thick of the regional race in Wade Griffin’s second season. Seventeen starters return from a team that pushed to a regional final before falling to Refugio. Brady drops down from 3A-Division II where they’ve been a consistent playoff team. The Bulldogs are good in the trenches, but youth at the skill spots will be a concern. Johnson City and San Saba are both in the mix as well. JCHS graduated just five seniors and welcomes back 23 lettermen, so there’s no doubt they’ll be improved. The Armadillos of San Saba are equally experienced with 29 lettermen back. Bangs, a playoff team in 2025, could be on the outside looking in as the Dragons will be young.

District 8-2A Division I

1. Axtell
2. Valley Mills
3. Bosqueville
4. Italy
5. Dawson
6. Riesel
7. Itasca

Axtell is another team primed for a regional run in 2026. Craig Horn’s squad brings back seven starters on both sides of the ball from a team that posted an 11-2 mark a year ago. The Longhorns are led by one of the state’s top signal-callers in Levi Leathers and if the Longhorns defensive line can rise to the occasion they’ll be a team to deal with. There’s a big drop off after Axtell in this loop with Valley Mills buoyed by eight returning starters on defense getting the nod over Bosqueville. Italy struggled last year, but the Gladiators team speed and athleticism is what gives them edge over Dawson and Riesel.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W5 Cisco vs F6 Olney

R8 Valley Mills vs T7 Johnson City

W6 Muenster vs F5 Anson

R7 Brady vs T8 Bosqueville

W7 Mason vs F8 Italy

R6 Tioga vs T5 Hawley

W8 Axtell vs F7 San Saba

R5 DeLeon vs T6 Alvord

Make no mistake about it, this region is an absolute meat grinder. There’s a group of half a dozen teams who could make a legitimate claim to the regional crown. A few of the District 5 vs. District 6 bi-district games will be absolute must-see TV with the depth in both of these districts, in particular 5-2A Division I. Cisco and Muenster in a regional semifinal should be fun, while at the bottom of the bracket, Mason, Axtell and DeLeon will all be real contenders to advance. Axtell vs. DeLeon potentially in the area round is a fourth round type matchup.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Cisco over Mason