2016 Region Outlooks: 4A DI Region I

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 I / 5A Region II / 5A Region III / 5A Region IVClass 4A Region I Division I Unlike Class 6A and 5A, the lower classifications in Texas are already split between the higher enrollment schools (Division I) and the smaller enrollment schools (Division II). Region I of Division I in Class 4A was made stronger by reclassification. The UIL moved Argyle to Region I along with Sanger, making the road to a regional title much tougher for schools like Abilene Wylie, Brownwood and others. Argyle Argyle is months removed from losing the state title game to Waco La Vega in possibly the best game of UIL Championship Weekend in Houston. The 33-31 loss came after Argyle won Region II and beat Abilene Wylie in the semifinals. In 2014, Argyle lost the state title game in 2014 to Navasota in double overtime. Now in District 4-4A DI, Argyle must take a new route to the state championship game. Head coach Todd Rodgers hopes his team can end the season with a win in 2016. Abilene Wylie The Bulldogs suffered two losses in 2015 en route to a Region I championship in Class 4A DI. Argyle ended Wylie’s season in the state semifinals and Liberty Hill won a non-district game against the Bulldogs early in the season. A district and regional championship signified a great season for the Bulldogs, but 2016 offers new challenges with Argyle firmly placed as the favorite entering the season. Snyder is now in District 3-4A DI with the likes of Stephenville, Wylie and Brownwood. Brownwood Two of Brownwood’s 2015 losses came to Wylie, one in district and the other in the Region I Division I finals. The two losses were by a combined 10 points. The winner of District 3-4A DI will be one of the favorites to capture a regional crown and Brownwood proved in 2015 it is worthy of entering the season as one of the teams to watch. The key for Brownwood is points. The Lions scored fewer than 20 points in four games in 2015, losing three of those contests. Sanger The Indians had a stellar 2015 season ended in the area round against Liberty-Eylau. Sanger’s only other loss of the season came in the season finale against Argyle. A move to Region I will be welcomed for head coach Chuck Galbreath and his team. Argyle still stands in the way of a district championship, but the road towards a regional crown is easier, on paper, in Region I.

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