Division I
District 2-4A
1. West Plains: The Wolves are up a division after their first two seasons in existence. Having lost a massive senior class with names like Hernandez, Wooten, Hall, Diggs, Talent and Estrada, it will be tougher than a Schutt helmet to win this always interesting and unpredictable district. Repeat after me: Third-year quarterback Reid Macon has 19 wins as a starter.
2. Dumas: Most predictors think Dumas will have to fight as if they have a pitchfork on fire in their hands just for a playoff spot. The fight will be for a district title with Coach Dunnam’s intensity, valuable lessons learned from last year’s 4-7 season by young QB Mills and others, and how can you pick against a team with a linebacker named Shooter.
3. Canyon: Coach Winfrey’s fourth year at the helm. OC Lovorn in place for year two. Coming off a nine-win season with 14 starters returning (eight on offense, six on defense). What’s not to like about Playing For the C? It’s a broken record in 2-4A with all the really good teams, but these Eagles could soar to the top of the district.
4. Randall: I would be as surprised as seeing an orange cone on I-40 or I-27 in Amarillo if the Raiders won this district. Year two of Coach Sherwood will mean coaches and players bonded and on the same page. Plus, when you have a gunslinger at QB in Kaison Benton – and, that’s exactly who he is – you have a chance to win. And, win often.
5. Hereford: Hey, somebody has to finish fifth in this district. And it certainly might not be Hereford with junior QB Kaleb Ramirez starting year three at the helm, 1,000-plus rusher Brylyn Lopez back and one of the best homefield advantages in the Texas Panhandle.
6. Pampa: I look for some magic in Pampa this year with former Harvester great Floyd White at the helm and a healthy junior Max Neff returning to run the ball (he eclipsed 2,000 yards a freshman). But with one district win the past three years it takes a little time to turn things around in this district.
Best Game
Randall vs. West Plains, 7 p.m. Oct. 25
Finally, it’s here. Three years after the Canyon ISD split from two to three high schools with most West Plains students at that time former Randall Raiders, we get the rivalry football game the players have wanted since day one. Yes, go ahead and add the icing as the outcome could determine a district title.
Division I
District 2-4A
1. Lubbock Estacado: When the latest UIL realignment moved The Mats into D-II this district found its favorite immediately. It’s pretty simple why this is a top 15 team in the state. Run, Bobby Ross Jr., Run.
2. Borger: Nope. Not a misprint. Might be a year early for second-year coach Dan Hamrick to lead his Bulldogs to the surprise team of the year. Borger has discipline, hungry players to succeed and three of four district opponents it can not only play with – but beat.
3. Perryton: God Bless Josh Hernandez. The new Perryton coach takes over a program wrecked with bad Mojo from the previous head coach. Hernandez paid his dues at Dumas and knows his football. The district will know him and sophomore QB Cooper Schilling all too well come November.
4. Lubbock-Cooper Liberty: Five years down the road Liberty will be a perennial district favorite. This year with no seniors and first year ever at the varsity level? Who really knows.
5. Levelland: This program has not won more than two games in a season since 2019. Maybe that changes this year with 14 returning starters.
Best Game
LC Liberty at Borger, 7 p.m., Oct. 18
Right out of the District 2-4A gate we learn a whole bunch. Can Liberty win on the road with no seniors on the team? Is Borger ready to make noise in the district, or a year or two off? The winner of this game is pretty much playoff bound.
