2016 Region Outlooks: 4A DI 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 I / 5A Region II / 5A Region III / 5A Region IV / 4A DI Region IClass 4A Division I Region II Headlines surrounding Class 4A DI Region II centered on the absence of Argyle. The move of the defending champion to Region I opens the door for numerous programs in a deep, if not elite, region. Terrell and Mineral Wells join the region with high hopes. Kennedale and Texarkana Liberty-Eylau lost to Argyle in the 2015 playoffs and return as favorites. Liberty-Eylau The Leopards came within three points of a regional championship, but fell short against Argyle. With Argyle no longer in the region, few teams stand a better chance of benefitting than Liberty-Eylau. Fresh off a 12-2 season, the Leopards are poised to make a run at a state championship. The only other loss for Liberty-Eylau came in the season-opener against Gilmer. The defense leads the way, specifically defensive end LaGaryonn Carson. The Texas Longhorn commit is a 6-foot-5, 285-pound playmaker who can take over a complete side of the line of scrimmage. He’s joined by fellow defensive end Jackson Pace. The offense never scored fewer than 28 points in 2015. The Leopards scored at least 30 points in 12 of 14 contests. Wins against Kaufman, Van, Tatum and Pittsburg solidified the resume in 2015 and makes the Leopards the favorites entering 2016. Kennedale The defending champion of District 5-4A DI faces a tougher challenge in district after the addition of Mineral Wells. The Wildcats went undefeated through the regular season before falling to Argyle in the third round of the state playoffs. The offense was explosive. Kennedale scored over 50 points in every district game. The Wildcats scored over 60 points six times in 13 games, including four games of 69 points or more. Head coach Richard Barrett’s program enters 2016 as one of the two favorites to win the region, along with Texarkana Liberty-Eylau. Replacing running back Quadraiz Wadley, a UTEP signee, will be key for the explosive offense. Four-star linebacker Baron Browning leads a defense that includes defensive linemen Gjemar Daniels and Stephone Jackson. Kaufman Kaufman is one of three district champions returning to Region II. The Lions won District 8-4A DI and went 11-2 on the year. The season ended in the third round of the state playoffs to Liberty-Eylau. Craig Barker’s squad lost a non-district game to Kennedale, but put up an impressive resume with non-district victories against Gainesville, Terrell, Fairfield and Palestine before running the table in district play. Two speedy playmakers – athlete Robert Coy and wide receiver Jefferson Fritz – give Kaufman home run weapons on offense and senior leaders. Junior quarterback Dre Prox is a potential FBS recruit and should blossom as an upperclassman. Terrell The Tigers move down from Class 5A, but instant success won’t be a given. Terrell is locked in a district with Kaufman, a team that beat Terrell in non-district play in 2015. It was the lone regular season loss for head coach Mike Shields’ team. The season ended in the third round of the playoffs to Lancaster. An overtime victory in the area round against Lovejoy was the high point of the season, along with a district championship. Elijah McQueen, a senior linebacker, is a leader on defense. The offense must replace running back Dawonya Tucker.

——