2016 Region Outlooks: 5A Region II

Photo by Gary SandersonThe UIL recently realigned the district for the 2016 and 2017 football seasons. Realignment not only changes district races. Regional championships can be decided with new groupings competing once the playoffs begin. We’ll take a closer look at the frontrunners in each region throughout the spring doldrums. Previous Outlooks:6A Region I / 6A Region II / 6A Region III / 6A Region IV / 5A Region IClass 5A – Region II Surprises abound in 2015 for Class 5A Region II. In the Division I playoffs, Mansfield Lake Ridge knocked off Longview to advance to the semifinals and eventually reached the state finals. Frisco Lone Star became the first Frisco ISD school to reach the state championship game after winning the region in Division II. Longview is the notable absence this year after the Lobos made the jump to Class 6A. Frisco Lone Star It was a historic season for the Rangers and head coach Jeff Rayburn. Frisco Lone Star finished the season 14-2 after dropping the state final game in Class 5A Region II to Cedar Park. The only other loss of the season came to Frisco in district play. The Rangers should compete for a district championship and be in good shape for a deep playoff run thanks to the return of quarterback Jason Shelley. The athletic three-star recruit is one of the best returning quarterbacks in the state. Tanner Leser is a name to watch along the offensive line. Mansfield Lake Ridge Lone Star isn’t the only returning state finalist in Region II. Mansfield Lake Ridge ended Aledo’s run in the semifinals before getting out-classed in the championship game against George Ranch, now a Class 6A program. That leaves Lake Ridge with a real chance to repeat the success from 2015. The loss to Richmond George Ranch in the final game of the season was the lone blemish in 2015. The Eagles and head coach Kirk Thor will field a tremendous defense in 2016. Led by senior linebacker Loren Mondy, an Arizona State commit, and defensive back Dane Howell, it should be one of the best defensive units in Class 5A. The biggest question mark: Who steps up now that Jett Duffey and Duke Carter have graduated? Everman Everman entered 2015 with high hopes and that won’t change for 2016. The Bulldogs lost four games in the regular season before putting it together in the playoffs. Head coach Dale Keeling’s squad reached the Class 5A Region I finals, but lost 41-38 to Lake Dallas. Everman gets to leave Region I, and Aledo, and that should give the Eagles a clearer path to a district championship and a better draw in the playoffs. Region II is deeper than the previous stop for Everman, but there is no clear powerhouse like Aledo always standing in the way during district play. Lancaster Teams like Marshall, Terrell and Mansfield Summit make serious cases for the last spot in this breakdown, but the history at Lancaster suggests the Tigers will be right back in the thick of the hunt again in 2016. Chris Gilbert’s program lost two district games in 2015, but reached the regional finals before the season in a loss to Frisco Lone Star. The Tigers are loaded with talent, once again. Wide receiver Omar Manning is attracting attention from programs across the country and defensive tackle Treston Price is a three-star recruit.

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