The story of Class 2A Division I Regions I & II could be told in a variety of ways. Setting the scene in Region II is quite simple. The big favorite in the region is none other than the Daingerfield Tigers. Returning 11 starters, including WR Edwin Mims and OL Malik Ellis should give the Tigers a big boost for the season. A few teams are coming down from 3A to 2A Division I are looking to make some strides and unseat the Tigers. Two of them are Van Alstyne and Commerce in 6-2A1. Over in Region I, the scene is much more competitive and wide open. The big favorite in the region is the Mules of Muleshoe. Coming off a 12-2 season, the Mules have 14 starters back for the 2012 season. Littlefield, Wall and Idalou will be chomping at the bit to knock the Mules off the top spot.
The big schedule highlights out of Region I includes the regular season finale between the Mulleshoe Mules and the Littlefield Widcats in Mueshoe. Bangs and Coleman in a non-district contest in Week 3 should be a big test and warm up for district play for both squads. Over in Region II, the scheduling stakes are much higher and much more intriguing. A big week zero match up set at the brand spanking new $60 million Allen ISD Stadium between 2A Division II power Holliday and the Van Alstyne Panthers. Another non-district game to keep an eye on could be between 3A Atlanta and the Daingerfield Tigers. And if the district races are far more appealing, Whitesboro and Pilot Point could be vying for a final playoff spot in 6-2A1. Whitesboro will be looking to make a second straight playoff appearance after making the big dance for the first time in program history dating back 100 years.
Looking for big time players to watch in both Region I and Region II should be quite fun and adventurous. In Region I, Wall is looking to RB Grant Eubank and OL Cody Francis to have a very big season. Childress in a very good 1-2A1, will be looking to a solid rusher of their own with Da'Shoud Hughes, who rushed for almost 1,150 yards in 2011. Defensively in Region I, Idalou counters with Tylo Kirkpatrick and Seth Reagan at linebacker and defensive back respectively. Merkel's Baylor Mullins could have a dynamic year on both sides of the field. If Merkel goes a few rounds deep, Mullins should be the guy that has the headlines.
Players to watch in Region II is plentiful. Winnsboro's Luke Tebbetts could produce into one of the states rising stars at the quarterback position before the end of the season. Van Alstyne could prove to be a dangerous threat to Daingerfield's stranglehold the region with linemen Alex and Connor Mayes and DE C.J. White. Like most in 2A and below, players will be playing all phases of the game. Lone Oak's Ty Tolleson is a player that could be better as a linebacker than his duties as a runnin back, where he rushed for 1,100 yards in 2011. no matter what district you look in for Region II, whether it is New Boston with Damien Haskins, Whitesboro with Collin Kilcrease or Pottsboro with Justin Lawler, the talent pool is filled with excitement. |
REGION I |
1 |
Muleshoe |
2 |
Wall |
3 |
Littlefield |
4 |
Idalou |
5 |
Eastland |
6 |
Breckenridge |
7 |
Bangs |
8 |
Merkel |
REGION II |
1 |
Daingerfield |
2 |
New Boston |
3 |
Van Alstyne |
4 |
Bowie |
5 |
Winnsboro |
6 |
Commerce |
7 |
Lone Oak |
8 |
Boyd |
|
