The more things change, the more they stay the same in Class 5A football in the DFW area as Aledo’s dominance continues and there’s a good chance the Bearcats reign of terror lasts two more years as Aledo surprisingly remained in Class 5A-Division I this alignment. Is there anyone capable of slowing the Aledo dynasty down? One team in their own district may be ready for the task.

Out in El Paso a nightmare scenario was avoided at realignment as El Paso Parkland opted up to Division I, thus preventing the three remaining schools in the district from having to take some LONG trips to Lubbock and Amarillo. The good news is all four of the teams in this district have secured playoff spots, the bad news is the race for seeding will be TOUGH as everyone will play a double round-robin schedule, meaning you’ll play every team twice. Americas, a playoff team in 5A a year ago will be the district favorite, but El Dorado is dangerous, especially if they can stay healthy.

With Lubbock Cooper’s move back to 5A-Division II, 2-5A Division I isn’t quite as deep as last year, but it’s still a very strong district. Abilene High on offense will be as good as anyone, but the Eagles lost a lot on defense. Will they have enough to hold off a strong challenge from Amarillo Tascosa who returns ten on the defensive side of the ball? The battle for the last two playoff spots should be wildly entertaining as Amarillo, Lubbock Monterey and Lubbock Coronado all bring back a wealth of talent, a good team will finish fifth and on the outside looking in of the playoff race in 2024.

Two of the state’s top teams reside in 3-5A Division I in defending state champion Aledo and a loaded Denton Ryan squad that may serve as the Bearcats chief challenger in the race for a state title. Don’t be surprised if Richland, a team that was 12-1 a year ago, gives both teams a run for their money as the Royals will feature one of the state’s top offensive units, but do they have the defense to hang in? The battle for the final playoff spot holds plenty of intrigue, right now Brewer gets the nod over Birdville and Fossil Ridge.

The geographic dynamic in Region I changed quite a bit as gone from the region is the Central Texas district and added into the loop is a Fort Worth ISD heavy group featuring two schools from Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD for good measure. Paschal and Chisholm Trail, the two 6A drop downs should fare well in this district, but for now the edge goes to perennial 5A FWISD power Arlington Heights.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 1-5A Division I

1. El Paso Americas
2. El Paso El Dorado
3. El Paso Parkland
4. El Paso Bel Air

District 2-5A Division I

1. Abilene
2. Amarillo Tascosa
3. Lubbock Monterey
4. Amarillo
5. Lubbock Coronado
6. Amarillo Caprock
7. Lubbock

District 3-5A Division I

1. Denton Ryan
2. Aledo
3. Richland
4. White Settlement Brewer
5. Birdville
6. Keller Fossil Ridge
7. Denton
8. Granbury
9. Azle

District 4-5A Division I

1. Fort Worth Arlington Heights
2. Saginaw Chisholm Trail
3. Fort Worth Paschal
4. Saginaw
5. Fort Worth Wyatt
6. Fort Worth North Side
7. Fort Worth Trimble Tech
8. Fort Worth South Hills
9. Fort Worth Polytechnic

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W1 El Paso Americas vs F2 Amarillo

R4 Saginaw Chisholm Trail vs T3 Richland

W2 Abilene vs F1 El Paso Bel Air

R3 Aledo vs T4 Fort Worth Paschal

W3 Denton Ryan vs F4 Saginaw

R2 Amarillo Tascosa vs T1 El Paso Parkland

W4 Fort Worth Arlington Heights vs F3 White Settlement Brewer

R1 El Paso El Dorado vs T2 Lubbock Monterey

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Aledo over Denton Ryan