2A DII Playoff Brackets
The 2026 UIL 2A Division II playoffs begin November 12 through 14. The state championship is scheduled for December 16 at 7 p.m. Central at AT&T Stadium.
Gruver is my pick to win it all. Ropes and Bremond lead the challengers, followed by Stratford and unbeaten Goldthwaite.
However, Gruver, Ropes and Stratford share Region I. My top two teams could meet in round three, making this a demanding route for the Greyhounds.
Region I: Gruver Faces Ropes and Stratford
The Gruver Greyhounds enter at 10-0 after averaging 52.6 points per game. Their regular season included a 56-28 victory over Wellington and a 28-26 win against Stratford.
For me, the Stratford result matters. Gruver has already won a tight game against a team I consider capable of taking this region.
First comes Plains, with McCamey or Tahoka awaiting the winner. Meanwhile, the Ropes Eagles open against Vega, followed by Lockney or Iraan if they advance.
Ropes also finished 10-0, outscoring opponents 562-84. The Eagles closed with three consecutive shutouts, winning those games by a combined 170-0.
Beyond the scoring, that defensive production makes Ropes difficult to pick against. I rank the Eagles second overall, but I am taking Gruver in their potential regional semifinal.
That potential third-round game would match my two strongest teams before either could claim a regional championship. It is the matchup I would watch most closely in the first three rounds.
On the opposite half, the Stratford Elks open against Seagraves, while the 10-0 Wink Wildcats face Ralls. Those winners would meet in the area round.
Although Wink finished unbeaten, Stratford gets my pick in that matchup. Ultimately, I have Gruver defeating Stratford in the regional championship.
Region II: Goldthwaite Gets the Pick
The Goldthwaite Eagles enter at 10-0 after allowing only 77 points during the regular season. They recorded five district shutouts before defeating Stamford 24-20 in their finale.
For me, Goldthwaite has shown it can win both ways: by controlling opponents defensively and surviving a close finish.
First comes Hubbard, followed by Haskell or Clarendon if the Eagles advance. Goldthwaite occupies the opposite half from Windthorst, Stamford, Wellington and Albany.
That bracket placement helps Goldthwaite, but I am picking the Eagles primarily because of their defensive consistency this season.
Meanwhile, the Windthorst Trojans finished 9-1 after defeating Munday 49-6. They open against Quanah and are my strongest regional alternative to Goldthwaite.
The Stamford Bulldogs enter at 7-3 after shutting out Winters 60-0. Their opener against Mart could lead to a second-round meeting with Windthorst.
On the same half, Wellington faces Munday, while the 7-3 Albany Lions open against Crawford. I have Wellington defeating Albany in the area round.
From there, my projection sends Windthorst past Stamford and Wellington. Ultimately, I am picking Goldthwaite over Windthorst for the regional championship.
Region III: Collinsville Ahead of Overton
The Collinsville Pirates finished 10-0 after defeating Cumby 69-0. Their resume also includes a 50-47 victory over Muenster and a 34-14 win against Bells.
Those results strengthen my confidence in Collinsville beyond its undefeated record. I trust the Pirates to keep producing when the competition improves.
First comes Maud, with Colmesneil or Cushing awaiting the winner. Collinsville is my pick to reach the regional championship from that half.
Meanwhile, the Overton Mustangs enter at 9-1 after defeating Cushing 41-21. They open against Evadale, followed by Detroit or Era if they advance.
For me, Overton is Collinsville’s biggest regional threat. The Mustangs occupy the opposite half, allowing these teams to meet for the regional title.
Ultimately, I am taking Collinsville over Overton. The Pirates rank sixth overall on my list, but they are my strongest team in Region III.
Region IV: Bremond Leads La Villa and Junction
The Bremond Tigers completed a 10-0 regular season by defeating Chilton 47-36. That win secured the district championship against another team that entered the game unbeaten.
For me, Bremond is the strongest championship contender on this half of the state bracket. I rank the Tigers third overall, just behind Ropes.
First comes D’Hanis, with Ben Bolt or Three Rivers next if Bremond advances. The Junction Eagles open against Bartlett and are my projected third-round opponent for the Tigers.
Junction enters at 8-2 after completing a 6-0 district schedule. Despite that unbeaten district run, I am taking Bremond in their potential regional semifinal.
On the opposite half, the La Villa Cardinals finished 9-1 after shutting out Riviera Kaufer 50-0. They open against Pettus, with Chilton or Brackett awaiting the winner.
Elsewhere, the Harper Longhorns enter at 9-1 and face Burton. Falls City could follow in the area round, giving Harper a challenging early path.
Still, I have Harper reaching the regional semifinals before falling to La Villa. That would put the Cardinals opposite Bremond in the regional championship.
Ultimately, Bremond gets my pick. La Villa is my strongest regional alternative, but I expect the Tigers to advance.
Final Four and State Champion Predictions
My predicted Final Four features the Gruver Greyhounds, Goldthwaite Eagles, Collinsville Pirates and Bremond Tigers.
In the semifinals, I am picking Gruver over Goldthwaite and Bremond over Collinsville. That would send Gruver and Bremond to Arlington.
Although Ropes ranks second overall, the Eagles would have to eliminate Gruver before reaching the regional final.
Ultimately, I am taking Gruver over Bremond for the championship. The Greyhounds would need to survive several difficult matchups, but I trust their scoring ability to hold up.
Bremond would be a serious final test. Still, Gruver remains my choice to complete an undefeated season and finish with the trophy.
My prediction for the 2026 UIL 2A Division II state champion: Gruver Greyhounds.
