2016 Region Outlooks: 2A DI Region II — Crawford, Mart, Goldthwaite lead crowded region

[caption id="attachment_22814" align="aligncenter" width="3000"]Photo by Pat Carrigan Photo by Pat Carrigan[/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 IV / 2A DI Region IClass 2A Division I Region II Region II stood relatively pat during district realignment. District 5 received the biggest facelift, yet still remains behind the field along with District 6. Tolar, a team that reached the regional final after a third place finish in District 7, is the biggest absence from the previous alignment. The regional championship is likely claimed by a program hailing from District 7 or District 8 again in 2016. In 2015, the final four teams left in Region II were from those districts. Third place teams from those districts – Bosqueville and Tolar – knocked off district champions from District 5 and 6, respectfully, in the area round of the state playoffs. Crawford, District 8’s champion, ultimately won Region II with a 35-0 victory over Tolar from District 7. Canadian ended Crawford’s season in the state semifinals. Crawford The returning regional champion earned the right to be the favorite in 2016. The Pirates’ lone loss in 2015 was against eventual state champion Canadian. It was a route, but the two-time defending state champions are now in Class 3A. That moves leaves Region I open, but it also eases the path for whichever team emerges into the state semifinals from Region II. Delbert Kelm’s squad won 14 games before losing to Canadian, dispatching of Tolar in non-district play to start the season and to claim the Region II crown. Crawford’s defense allowed 106 points through 14 contests before giving up 61 to Canadian. Crawford’s offense averaged 37 points per game. Goldthwaite Gary Proffitt’s program is no stranger to success. The 2015 season was no different as the Eagles went 10-3, claimed another district championship and advanced to the third round of the state playoffs. Crawford, the eventual Region II champ, ended Goldthwaite’s season in a 36-12 victory. Goldthwaite beat Axtell and Alvord in the first two rounds of the playoffs. The loss to Crawford was the first defeat for the Eagles since non-district games against Mart to begin the season and Mason in Week 4. Tolar’s move to Class 3A leaves Hico as the biggest obstacle for the power-running attack of the Eagles. Mart The Panthers were arguably the third best team in Region II in 2015 despite falling to Tolar in the opening round of the state playoffs. The program finished second behind Crawford in District 8 and fell six points short of moving on. It was still a successful season for Mart, losing only to Bremond, Crawford and Tolar. The district battle between Mart and Crawford should be one of the best in Class 2A.

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