Division I

District 2-5A

1. Abilene High: Run a comb through these Eagles and there is a little tangle on defense with three returning starters off a sparkling 11-3 season in 2023. But just put OMG on top of this explosive offense with 190-pound (4.4 40-yard guy) receiver Ryland Bradford the leading nightmare for defensive coordinators in the entire district.

2. Tascosa: The Rebs are hungry to reverse last year’s 5-7 disappointment ending the streak at nine consecutive years of winning records. Under coach Ken Plunk Tascosa looks primed for a revival with 10 starters returning on defense, speedster DB-WR and D-I prospect TJ Tillman putting his stamp on games and gifted returning starting junior QB Coltyn Fulton running the Flexbone show.

3. Amarillo High: These Sandies will have new names in leadership roles this year losing vet players like QB Will Flamming and RB Pius Vokes to graduation. But that doesn’t change expectations around Sandie Land and that means competing for a district title with a corp of stout wide receivers led by junior Oliver Parsons. The quarterback duties will be in the capable hands of junior Jett Lopez (gotta love a QB named Jett!). And, don’t forget, Coach Chad Dunnam and his Sandies can pitch a tent out at Dick Bivins Stadium with seven of their 10 games at home.

4. Lubbock Monterey: No wins in 2022. Four wins last year. Playoffs this year for the Plainsmen with 40 lettermen and 6-foot-5 QB Luke Arrington back for his third year of starting.

5. Caprock: Year two of The Horns under coach Rowdy Freeman should be much more fruitful than 1-9 of a year ago. While maybe not quite ready to jump into the playoffs, the Horns do have 10 starters back, a year of Freeman’s influence installed, along with one heck of leader on defense in three-year starting cornerback Jayden Acosta-Lewis. Caprock must find the juice on offense as last year it scored a touchdown or less in four of its six district games.

6. Lubbock Coronado: Coming off a 2-8 season and having a new coach in Andrew Roy, The Stangs do have playoff hopes with 16 returning starters, including dual-threat QB Isiah Vasquez. But allowing 35 or more points in 7 of 10 games last year must change.

7. Lubbock High: The Westerners moved from D-II to D-I in the Class 5A world. Owner of a 36-game district losing streak dating back to 2017, Lubbock looks to end that streak behind returning starting QB Zach Reyna.

Best Game

Amarillo High vs. Tascosa, 7 p.m., Nov. 8

It’s back in Bivins! After playing this historic Amarillo rivalry – historic because this game will play out for the 67th consecutive year in 2024 – in Canyon’s Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium the past two years the game returns to Dick Bivins Stadium. Not a fan of this game falling on the schedule as the last regular season game as nothing could be at stake but pride. On the other hand, if a district title goes to the winner, it’s going to be an epic night.

Division II

District 2-5A

1. Lubbock-Cooper: I can still hear the moans from last February when perennial football power Cooper moved from Class 5A DI to 5A DII. With 17 starters back from a team going 5-1 in 2-5A DI a year ago, earning the favorite role is an understatement.

2. Wichita Falls Memorial: Who really knows what to expect from the two new Wichita Falls high schools? That’s insane to blow up the history of Old High, Rider and Hirschi, but they did it and named the schools – please, stop my beating heart – those never before heard of names Memorial and Legacy. Ok, I’ll stop. Know this about Memorial. Head coach Marc Bindel spent the last 10 years leading an excellent Rider program and his QB (6-6 Joe Casales) and RB (Kenji Johnson, 1,694 yards rushing) from last year return for Memorial.

3. Abilene Wylie: Wylie has key players back from last year’s 8-4 playoff team.

4. Abilene Cooper: Nine starters return on defense for Cooper, and they can all play.

5. Palo Duro: Year four for the Dons under Eric Mims and this will be his best overall team. Players like senior wide receiver Charlie Love and junior running back Darien Lewis give the Dons excellent skill and speed. If PD handles its lack of size up front and starting a sophomore QB in talented Deuce Reese (he has no varsity starts under his belt), a return to the playoffs will happen out of this improved district.

6. Wichita Falls Legacy: See Memorial above for my same rant on “Legacy.” Without question these Leopards are the mystery team of the district. But know this if coach Lawrence Johnson and third year starting QB Jimmell McFalls have the same success this year as they did at Hirschi (McFalls has played in 10 playoff games), the playoffs are a lock.

7. Plainview: It’s been six years since Plainview has seen the playoffs. Coming off a 5-5 year with 10 defensive starters, the Bulldog defense needs to cut in half the 39.6 points allowed to district opponents in 2023. The Bulldogs do have a bite at QB in returning starter Seth Mayberry (1,927 yards passing last year).

Best Game

Wichita Falls Memorial vs. Wichita Falls Legacy, 7 p.m., Nov. 8

When is the last time you heard of two new Class 5A schools from a city with two high schools playing each other? I’d say never. This game will start a new era of football in Wichita Falls.  Winner could be in the playoffs, loser-out adding to the intrigue.