Stepp's 4A DI Region II Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 5-4A Division I

1. Fort Worth Eastern Hills
2. Kennedale
3. Fort Worth Southwest
4. Benbrook
5. Fort Worth Dunbar
6. Fort Worth Western Hills
7. Fort Worth Carter-Riverside
8. Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis

Two teams who actually met in the bi-district playoffs a year ago will likely battle it out for district bragging rights as Eastern Hills and Kennedale are far and away the top two teams. Eastern Hills won a thriller over Kennedale a year ago and gets the edge led by an explosive offensive attack with eight returning starters. Kennedale and their Wing-T offense is a model of consistency under HC Richard Barrett. Expect the Wildcats to be right in the thick of things. After that there are three teams who are legitimately fighting for the final two playoff spots with Southwest and Benbrook getting the edge. But you can never count out the guys from Stop Six over at Dunbar.

District 6-4A Division I

1. Dallas Lincoln
2. Dallas Kimball
3. Dallas Carter
4. Dallas Spruce
5. Dallas Pinkston
6. Wilmer-Hutchins
7. North Dallas
8. Dallas Conrad
9. Dallas Roosevelt

2025 saw three teams split the district title with Lincoln actually coming out on the end of landing the one-seed in the playoffs. After a favorable draw with realignment and the bi-district round, Lincoln has their eyes set on a district title and possible run in the postseason. The Tigers return 14 starters and get the edge over Kimball and Carter, who are basically a dead heat on paper. The race for the final spot will be quite interested as Pinkston, last year’s playoff team, is going through a coaching change along with perennial playoff contender Wilmer-Hutchins and North Dallas. Dallas Spruce, who brings a dozen starters back and is dropping down from 5A-Division II, could be the pick to click in this five team district.

District 7-4A Division I

1. Paris
2. Sulphur Springs
3. Kaufman
4. Caddo Mills
5. Ferris
6. Mabank
7. Waxahachie Life

Travel will be a factor in this district that skirts the eastern fringes of the DFW metroplex before jutting out into Northeast Texas. Old Highway 19 rivals Paris and Sulphur Springs, both of which were area round playoff teams, expect to contend for the district title. But both have major questions on defense. Paris has a bit more experience back on offense and after last year’s close game, they get the slight edge over Sulphur Springs. Kaufman, who drops back down from 5A, should be a contender, while Caddo Mills, who moves up from Division II, has similar questions on the defensive side of the ball. If the Foxes falter, a veteran Ferris squad, also up from Division II, could be ready to pounce.

District 8-4A Division I

1. Lindale
2. Longview Pine Tree
3. Kilgore
4. Tyler Chapel Hill
5. Henderson
6. Jacksonville
7. Palestine
8. Bullard

There are few districts that have been tougher top to bottom than this East Texas district over the past few years, and now this loop is changing locations, moving to a more traditional alignment in Region II after multiple alignments in Region III. Lindale, and its big senior class with 14 returning starters, gets the edge in this district and that’s saying something considering Kilgore has played for a state title the last two years. Kilgore suffered some heavy graduation losses and could take a bit of a step back in 2026. Pine Tree, who was a regional semifinalist a year ago, expects to be strong as they return half their starters. The real mystery in this is Chapel Hill; the Bulldogs have been a perennial power but stumbled to a fourth-place finish and bi-district exit in 2025. They could finish as high as second in my view, but if things go south they could fall out of the playoffs altogether, which could open up the door for Henderson. Jacksonville, down from 5A, returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and should be much-improved.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W5 Fort Worth Eastern Hills vs F6 Dallas Spruce

R8 Longview Pine Tree vs T7 Kaufman

W6 Dallas Lincoln vs F5 Benbrook

R7 Sulphur Springs vs T8 Kilgore

W7 Paris vs F8 Tyler Chapel Hill

R6 Dallas Kimball vs T5 Fort Worth Southwest

W8 Lindale vs F7 Caddo Mills

R5 Kennedale vs T6 Dallas Carter

Expect East Texas to absolutely dominate this region come playoff time as I won’t be surprised to see an all 8-4A Division I semifinal on Thanksgiving weekend. Paris and Sulphur Springs are East Texas as well and could easily spoil the 8-4A party if they mature on the defensive side of the ball. Dallas Lincoln may be the team best equipped to break past the second round but that area round game looks daunting.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Lindale over Longview Pine Tree