2016 Region Outlooks: 4A DI Region IV

Photo by Pat CarriganThe 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 I / 4A DI Region II / 4A DI Region IIIClass 4A Division I Region IV The quality of the depth is always questioned in Region IV. Despite the assertions of an easier path, Region IV has a storied history as state champion. That reputation grew when Waco La Vega scratched past Liberty Hill in the regional semifinals and never looked back, capping the season with a state championship victory over Argyle. Those two, along with the rest of District 13, appear to be the favorites to claim the crown heading into 2017. District 13 is home to the final four teams of the 2015 Class 4A Division I Region III bracket. District 13 is so strong, that teams like Burnet and Lampasas could miss out on the playoffs despite being talented enough to win every other district in the region. The foursome of La Vega, Liberty Hill, Gatesville and China Spring can be matched up against any four teams in the other regions of Class 4A Division I, but there isn’t a ton of competition for those teams waiting in the playoffs outside of rematches after the area round. Waco La Vega It was a dream season for Waco La Vega. The Pirates claimed a state championship for the Waco area for the first time in decades. A 16-0 season finished with a 33-31 victory over Argyle in the state championship. It was probably the best title game of the weekend. La Vega won the championship with a balanced offense and an athletic and aggressive defense. Head coach Willie Williams must replace a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. A deep run in the playoffs helped a group of young players become future stars, setting up the Pirates for another run at a title. Tight end Kendrick James is the top prospect in the 2016 class and he can be an impact player on both sides of the ball. Wide receiver Baylon Ware is the playmaker on offense and Willie McDonald Jr. will take on more responsibility in the secondary as a senior. Liberty Hill The Panthers were bounced out of the 2015 playoffs in the regional semifinals when eventual state champion, Waco La Vega, won a 6-0 game. Regulation ended with the teams tied at zero before La Vega found a way into the end zone in the first possession of overtime. Head coach Jerry Vance has two state titles on his resume at Liberty Hill and his team is one of the favorites to challenge for a region crown. The district race, which involves Waco La Vega, Gatesville and Burnet, will test every team that makes it through District 13. The champion of that district will enter the playoffs as the favorite to represent Region IV. Liberty Hill hopes to get off to a faster start in 2016. Two non-district losses to La Grange and Brownwood eliminated the Panthers from state title talk. Vance’s squad responded with nine straight wins before the loss to La Vega. Expect a dynamic running game and a strong defense. Somerset Somerset might be the lone challenger to District 13 dominance, with La Vernia also in that discussion. Those two programs will challenge each other for a district championship in District 15. Somerset joins the ranks from Class 5A. The drop down in classification should help a program that won a district championship and reached the area round of the state playoffs against larger schools in 2015. That confidence, plus an even playing field, gives Somerset the nod as the favorite in District 15. If La Vernia and Somerset can’t knock off the usual suspects in District 13, it’ll be a repeat of 2015.

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