Division I

District 1-2A

1. Sunray: The Bobcats make the move to Division I after an unbelievable run to the UIL Division II state semifinals last year. With 17 starters returning including high-profile passer Armando Lujan and his weapons across the offense, another big year is in store for Sunray.

2. Panhandle: Look out for the Panthers. Head coach Dane Ashley’s team has the experience, the size and the speed to play with anyone in the region. The Panthers will definitely be in the mix for a district title and a contender in the region.

3. West Texas High: Head coach Jeff Smith made strides with the Comanches despite having a back-up quarterback all of last year. With QB Cayde Winters healthy, the junior is a definite gamechanger.

4. Spearman: Thanks to realignment, the Lynx find themselves back in Class 2A and ready to make a mark under new head coach Brandon Reagan. Expect Spearman to make the transition smoothly.

5. Highland Park: It’s going to be interesting to see what the Hornets will look like after the loss of a massive senior class. Highland Park needs to sneak a couple of district wins to find that fourth and final playoff spot.

6. Sanford-Fritch: New head coach Derek Schlieve takes over a program that’s fallen on hard times. Look for Fritch to see a new mindset under Schlieve with a strong competitive edge.

Best Game

Panhandle at Sunray, 7 p.m. Oct. 25. 

With both teams playing very difficult non-district schedules there’s no question both the Panthers and Bobcats will be more than battle tested for this more than likely district championship showdown. You never know, maybe we’re looking at round one of a rematch in the playoffs down the road in December.

District 2-2A

1. Abernathy: Like Spearman, the Antelopes dropped into Class 2A Division I after several successful years in Class 3A. It’s a great time too with 15 starters returning for head coach Justin Wylie’s squad.

2. New Home: The Leopards make the leap from Division II to Division I. Every year head coach Jo Ward’s teams seem to get better and better with this year not being any different. Keep an eye out on outstanding QB Caleb Cook.

3. New Deal: It shows how strong this district is when a tradition-rich Lions team is picked third. New Deal is always a well-respected small school team on the South Plains. No doubt the Lions will be in the running come the district season.

4. Olton: QB Raymond Ramirez is a true dual threat that will keep the Mustangs in games and make defenses sweat. Olton is in strong position for a playoff berth.

5. Post: The Bold Gold Antelope of Post may not have that moxie from just a few years ago, but 16 starters gives Post a veteran presence sorely needed.

6. Floydada: Head coach J.R. Compton has done a great job with the Whirlwind program. With playmakers on the offensive side, Floydada is a wildcard.

Best Game

New Home at New Deal, 7 p.m. Nov. 1.  

It’s easy to go with the top two predicted teams, but let’s shake it up a bit. New Home makes a short trip to New Deal for a key matchup with the Lions for a key Week 10 matchup. The old guard of New Deal is wanting nothing more to defend its home turf against the new kids.

Division II

District 1-2A

1. Stratford: With the drop from Division I to go with a loaded roster all eyes are on the Elks to be playing once again in December. Stratford is a team used to having a target and will have a big one this year with the preseason No. 1-ranking from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

2. Gruver: How about the job head coach Kurt Haberthur and his staff did in year one last season. The Greyhounds turned heads with a run to the third round of the playoffs. There isn’t any doubt that Gruver has what it takes this season to make a push.

3. Farwell: Like Stratford, Farwell makes the drop into Division II. The Steers are always a scary team that play with a blue-collar hard-nosed mentality. They are definitely in the conversation when it comes to this district.

4. Vega: The Longhorns are wanting to erase last year and are looking forward. Vega boasts one of the top coaches in the Texas Panhandle in Jason Porton and are a team that can compete with any team.

5. Bovina: This is a much different district for the Mustangs than previous year. They’ll be some travel, but it won’t stop Bovina from contending for a playoff berth.

Best Game

Stratford at Gruver, 7 p.m. Oct. 11.

What a way to kickoff district between two arch-rivals with no love loss for one another. It’s a guarantee the stands will be flat out packed between the two towns separated by 39 miles. This should be a dandy.

District 2-2A

1. Sudan: With 14 returners, the buzz around Sudan is a district championship.

2. Lockney: The Longhorns have been improving in recent years under head coach Jonathan Thiebaud. Is this this the year that Lockney takes that next step.

3. Hale Center: Head coach Marc Puente’s team could surprise some folks with a veteran group back. Keep an eye on the Owls.

4. Ralls: The Jackrabbits aren’t the flashiest of teams but always do things right. Expect to see that kind of play once again this year.

5. Morton: Former Gruver assistant and now head coach Keith Mauldin did a tremendous job in year one getting the Indians to the playoffs in 2023. With QB Dante Chavez back, Mauldin and his team will fight for a spot in the postseason.

6. Crosbyton: It’s been a tough road of late for the Chieftains. Hopefully with 16 starters back the tides will start turning.

Best Game

Lockney at Sudan 7 p.m. Oct. 18. 

This starts off a difficult two week stretch for Sudan. The Hornets battle the Longhorns and then turnaround to square off with Hale Center. Sudan will be ready for Lockney with playoff seeding so important coming out of this matchup.

District 5-2A

1. Wellington: The landscape of this district changed with the move to Region II, however, the results stay the same. The Skyrockets are always a tough team to pick against.

2. Wheeler: Keep an eye on the Mustangs. They have very quietly improved over the past couple years and bring back a core nucleus of veteran leadership.

3. Clarendon: It’s hard to do a better job of coaching than Aaron Wampler did in year one with the Broncos a year ago. Fresh off a run to the state quarters, Wampler and his team have to use that experience for another successful run in 2024.

4. Shamrock: Quarterback Philip Cook can put the ball in the air and make life scary for defenses. It will be up to his Irish defense to make plays and keep Shamrock in contests down the stretch.

5. Quanah: The Indians see a strong returning group return with 16 starters back.

6. Memphis: It wasn’t the season the Cyclones wanted to remember last season. It’s time to regroup and see if Memphis can make a run toward November.

Best Game

Clarendon at Wellington, 7 p.m. Oct. 11.

Odds are that the Skyrockets have had this one circled since the Broncos galloped on to Powell Field and left with a convincing victory last year. Wellington would love nothing more to return the favor in this great rivalry.