2016 Region Outlooks: 2A DII Region I – Seagraves leads the way

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 I / 2A DI Region II / 2A DI Region III / 2A DI Region IVClass 2A Division II Region I The districts changed for a few teams, but the same programs should compete for the Region I championship at the Class 2A Division II level. The big departure from the region was Quanah, which was moved to Region II. Quanah won the District 3 championship in 2015 over Crosbyton and Memphis. Crosbyton and Memphis are now in District 2, with Vega, last year’s District 2 champion, moving to District 1 to compete with Sunray. Seagraves, the defending Region I champion, remains in District 4 and enters the season as a favorite to repeat. SeagravesSeagravesThe Eagles fell to Albany in the state semifinals by five points after claiming a Region I championship in a 45-14 victory over Memphis. Head coach Steve Heryford’s program hopes 2016 involves two more wins. Seagraves lost just two games last year by a combined eight points. The first was a three-point loss to Muleshoe in non-district play. The Eagles rolled through district, outscoring their four opponents 205-26. Quanah was the only team in Region I to test Seagraves in 2015. With Quanah no longer in the Region I landscape, Seagraves will be everyone’s choice to represent the region in the state semifinals. MemphisMemphisMemphis started the season 1-4 and lost its two final district games to finish third in District 3. A win over Quanah was the highlight of a frustrating regular season. The Cyclones made the playoffs, however, and left all that behind en route to the Region I finals against Seagraves. Memphis came up short against the Eagles, but playoff wins over Smyer, Sunray and Crosbyton were satisfying. Crosbyton beat Memphis 42-14 a month before Memphis turned it around in the third round of the playoffs to knock off Crosbyton, 34-18. Those two teams are set to battle for the District 2 championship in 2016. CrosbytonCrosbytonA loss to Quanah cost Crosbyton the No. 1 seed in the playoffs out of District 3. It was the only loss of the regular season for head coach Brannon Rodgers’ program. Playoff victories over Sundown and Vega set up a rematch with Memphis. Crosbyton beat Memphis by 28 points in district play, but were upset a game away from the regional final. The Chiefs no longer must deal with Quanah. That means another showdown between Crosbyton and Memphis likely determines the main competition for Seagraves inside Region I. Vega, the favorites in District 1, will also have a say in the playoff race.

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