Chilton last year’s regional champion moves over to Region III and that will open the door for a new champion in Region IV, can perennial power Falls City regain the top spot or does newcomer Shiner who drops from Division I make a big impact?

The top of 13-2A Division II looks to be a two-horse race as last year’s champion Granger, who has been a perennial team that plays past Thanksgiving will duel with Burton for the crown. We are leaning to Burton this year with fifteen returning starters, while Granger is going through a bit of a transition with a new coach and a relatively young squad. Bartlett brings eleven starters back on both sides of the ball and could be a real sleeper with talented sophomore RB Eric Walker, II back to lead the way.

Junction headlines a new look 14-2A Division II and the Eagles have a lot to be excited about as they return all 22 starters from a team that posted a 6-5 mark a year ago at the Division I level. JHS feels like they could absolutely be a threat on the regional level in 2024. Sabinal, two years removed from an 11-1 mark looks to be the best bet for the two seed, with Brackettville going through a coaching change. Rocksprings made the area playoffs a year ago, but the Angoras have to stay healthy as they are the smallest school in the state playing eleven-man football.

Perennial Division I powerhouse Shiner makes the move down to Division II and most expect the stay to brief as the Comanches should pop back up to Division I in the next realignment. However, expect SHS to take full advantage of being the big fish in a small pond as they bring back fifteen starters from a team that went through growing pains a year ago, but still managed an area round playoff appearance. Falls City has some exciting young talent in the pipeline and the Beavers have plenty of playoff pedigree of their own. Things fall off after the top two teams in this loop, but Yorktown and Louise look like the teams who will nab the final two slots.

Way down in South Texas, La Villa and Ben Bolt are expected to be locked in a tight race for the top two spots in this district, the winner of the district could be in play to earn a playoff win. Agua Dulce with nine back on both sides looks like the team to beat for third, while Woodsboro and Bruni are a coin flip for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-2A Division II

1. Burton
2. Granger
3. Iola
4. Bartlett
5. Somerville
6. Milano
7. Snook
8. McDade

District 14-2A Division II

1. Junction
2. Sabinal
3. Brackettville
4. Rocksprings
5. Center Point
6. D’Hanis
7. La Pryor

District 15-2A Division II

1. Shiner
2. Falls City
3. Yorktown
4. Louise
5. Pettus
6. Charlotte

District 16-2A Division II

1. La Villa
2. Ben Bolt
3. Agua Dulce
4. Woodsboro
5. Bruni

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W13 Burton vs F14 Rocksprings

R16 Ben Bolt vs T15 Yorktown

W14 Junction vs F13 Bartlett

R15 Falls City vs T16 Agua Dulce

W15 Shiner vs F16 Woodsboro

R14 Sabinal vs T13 Iola

W16 La Villa vs F15 Louise

R13 Granger vs T14 Brackettville

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Shiner over Burton