2016 Region Outlooks: 4A DII Region IV

Photo by Mary Scott McNabbThe 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 III / 4A DI Region IV / 4A DII Region I / 4A DII Region II / 4A DII Region IIIClass 4A Division II Region IV The new district and region alignment brought very little change to this region. Cuero, the defending champion, returns as the favorite. The usual suspects like Navarro, Llano and Wimberley will challenge in the playoffs after that trio battles it out for the District 13 championship. Cuero finds itself in a fight in District 15 with Sinton, a team Cuero beat for the regional championship. Orange Grove was the lone team in District 16 to win a playoff game in 2015. Cuero Cuero earned a regional championship with victories over Navarro and Sinton. The 28-0 victory over Sinton clinched yet another regional championship for the Gobblers. A slow start to the season and a district loss to Sinton removed Cuero as the favorites in Region IV. The Gobblers rebounded from the four-point loss to Sinton in October to win six straight games. The season ended in the state semifinals to eventual state champion West Orange-Stark. The momentum to end the season propels Cuero back into the driver’s seat in Region IV. The value of experience was on display in 2015 and that should help the returning lettermen from that squad. Cuero lost four non-district games before the loss to Sinton. The Gobblers never panicked and peaked at the right time. Sinton A tremendous season for Sinton came to a close in that 28-0 loss to district rival Cuero in the regional finals. It was the lone blemish on the season for a Pirates team that won a district championship and finished the season at 12-1. Head coach Tom Allen can draw on the successes and bitter disappointment in 2015. Sinton showed it can beat anyone in Region IV during the 2015 season, now the Pirates must close to take the next step towards a state championship opportunity. Sinton beat Wimberley and Llano during its playoff run. The Pirates knocked off Yoakum in overtime during the race for a district championship. The loss to Cuero in the rematch stung, but it should serve as motivation towards 2016. Navarro Navarro’s only blemish in 2015 was a 12-point loss to Cuero in the third round of the state playoffs. It was the closest playoff game any Region IV team gave Cuero in 2015. The loss was a sour end to an otherwise fantastic season. The Panthers won a district championship and finished the regular season 12-1. Navarro didn’t allow an opponent to score more than 14 points until the loss to Cuero. The Panthers shutout five of their first 11 opponents and the offense scored over 40 points in all but two contests. Llano and Wimberley will provide challenges during district play.

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