2016 Region Outlooks: 3A DI Region II

Photo by Dennis ClarkThe UIL realigned the districts for the 2016 and 2017 football seasons in February. Realignment doesn’t just change district races – 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 III / 4A DII Region IV / 3A DI Region IClass 3A Division I Region II Mineola was the class of the Region II for the past two seasons. The Yellowjackets are two-time defending champions of Class 3A Division I Region II. Mineola’s season came to an end to the eventual state champion both years, to Brock in the state semifinals in 2015 and to Cameron Yoe in the state championship in 2014. Sunnyvale won District 6 before reaching the regional finals, while White Oak, Callisburg and Pottsboro hope to take the next step. Mineola The Yellowjackets got off to a slow start in 2014 before putting it together and reeling off a run all the way to the state championship game. Mineola had no early season speed bumps in 2015, rolling to a 14-0 record before falling to Brock in the state semifinals, the eventual state champion. Joe Drennon’s team stamped its claim to Region II with non-district wins over Elysian Fields, Willis Point and others before an undefeated district season for a second straight year. Mineola beat Sunnyvale to win the Region II championship and will be favorites again in 2016 despite moving to District 7 from District 8. A lot of experience must be replaced after two long playoff runs. Sunnyvale The Raiders entered 2015 hoping to bounce back from a disappointing first-round exit in the 2014 state playoffs. Sunnyvale went undefeated through the regular season before the playoff loss. John Settle’s team lost a non-district game, but got over the playoff hump with three playoff wins before a loss to Mineola. The Raiders failed to score over 30 points just twice in 2015 and return key pieces from that offense. Sunnyvale is the favorite in District 6. White Oak White Oak’s three losses came to Bullard in non-district, Mineola in district and Sunnyvale in the third round of the state playoffs. Not a bad season for the Roughnecks and 2016 offers new opportunities because realignment moved Mineola into District 7. A district championship could be in store for White Oak, but the usual suspects will be waiting in the playoffs. Pottsboro The Cardinals strolled through the regular season, going undefeated and winning the District 5 championship. A two-point win over Pilot Point was the only close game. The season ended in the second round of the playoffs at the hands of White Oak, 24-9. It was a successful season and one the Cardinals want to build on in 2016. Pottsboro proved it can win a district championship. The next step is a longer run in the playoffs. Callisburg lasted the longest in the playoffs out of District 5.

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