2016 Region Outlooks: 2A DI Region I — With Canadian gone, who becomes the frontrunner?

[caption id="attachment_22808" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]Photo by Ashley Wirz Photo by Ashley Wirz[/caption] The 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 III / 3A DI Region IV / 3A DII Region I / 3A DII Region II / 3A DII Region III / 3A DII Region IVClass 2A Division I Region I No group of teams benefited more from realignment than Region I of Class 2A Division I. The move of Canadian High School, the two-time defending Class 2A Division I champions, to Class 3A Division II opens up the region for a new champion. Stratford and Anson both lost to Canadian in the playoffs, but return the best resumes to the region with Wellington High School also absent from the newly aligned Region I. Post High School moves down from Class 3A Division II fresh off a district championship in a higher division. Post Post’s season ended abruptly in the area round of the Texas high school state football playoffs. After racking up an undefeated season and a District 3 championship in Class 3A Division II, the Antelopes strolled past Crane in the bi-district round of the playoffs. The perfect season came to an end the next week, however, with a 14-7 loss to Henrietta, a team that didn’t lose until the regional final. It was a disappointing end to a great season, but the disappointment should help fuel Post into discussions as a state title contender. Dropping down a level usually helps, especially strong programs like Post. A district championship goes through the likes of Anson. Anson Anson finished behind Hawley and Stamford in District 3 action in 2015, but it was the Tigers that lasted the longest in the playoffs. Anson entered the playoffs with a losing record before reaching the regional semifinals. A loss to Canadian ended the season. Stamford, Hawley and the addition of Post make Anson’s move to District 4 a tough pill to swallow. The good news is that Anson, and the rest of District 4, will be battle-tested come the bi-district round of the playoffs. It wouldn’t be shocking for two programs from that district to be the last remaining teams from Region I. Stratford It is highly unlikely Stratford sent Canadian any type of parting gift. The Elks’ only two losses in 2015 were to the eventual state champion. Canadian’s dominance masked an impressive season for head coach Matt Lovorn’s program. The 12-2 record and a berth into the regional championship give Stratford all the confidence it needs in a now winnable District 1. Stratford lost the two games to Canadian by a combined score of 62-6. The Elks outscored their other 12 opponents 591-137.

——