2016 Region Outlooks: 3A DI Region IV

Hitchcock_vs_Mathis-056The 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 I / 3A DI Region II / 3A DI Region IIIClass 3A Division I Region IV Region IV is viewed as the weakest region in most divisions and Class 3A Division I is no different. The winner was served up to Cameron Yoe for the past two seasons, with Region III still being the stronger region. It is a winnable region for multiple teams, but it is hard to imagine one of these programs emerging as a true title contender until the state semifinals. That's the rub in Region IV across the classifications – a lack of respect. Mathis returns to defend its regional title, but it must compete against returning district champions like Edna, Aransas Pass, Luling and Hallettsville. Yoakum drops down from Class 4A and Van Vleck moves up to Division I to add depth to the region. Mathis The Pirates dropped a non-district game to Refugio, a team that eventually played for a state title. A district loss to Hallettsville cost Mathis a district championship, but a long run in the state playoffs and a Region IV championship was acceptable compensation. Rod Blount’s team lost to Hallettsville by 14 in the regular season finale before running off four playoff wins. A loss to Cameron Yoe ended the season a game away from a state title appearance. Yoakum Yoakum finished 2015 at 6-6. That record was misleading because of the schedule. The Bulldogs lost non-district games to Hallettsville, La Grange and East Bernard, while picking up a big win over Luling. District losses to Cuero and Sinton followed. The losses to Sinton and La Grange were in overtime. Yoakum made the playoffs, even winning a game before falling in the area round. The road gets a little easier with a drop to Class 3A Division I from Class 4A Division II. Hitchcock A two-point loss to Edna decided the District 14 championship. The Bulldogs ended up outlasting Edna in the playoffs, however, reaching the regional finals against Mathis. None of the four district champions from the region – Luling, Edna, Hallettsville and Aransas Pass – reached the regional final. It was two runner-ups – Hitchcock and Mathis – battling it out for a shot at the state semifinals. Mathis won the game, but Hitchcock enters the season as a favorite to claim the region. A 61-50 area round win over Hallettsville was the highlight of the season and one of the more exciting games in the state.

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