2017 Region Outlooks: 2A DII Region II — Where state title contenders earn their stripes

The 2017 Texas high school football season will be here before you know it, and in a year without UIL realignment, we have a grasp on who should challenge for region — and state — titles across the state. We’ll take a closer look at the frontrunners in each region throughout the spring doldrums.PREVIOUSLY Class 6A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 5A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 4A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 4A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 3A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 3A DII: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 2A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IVClass 2A DII: Region IToday’s spotlight: Class 2A DII Region II There weren’t too many surprises when it came playoff time in Region II as all four district champions – Iraan, Albany, Muenster and Munday – advanced to the regional semifinals. Iraan’s run to the state championship game was the story that caught the attention of just about everyone in the state though, after the Braves advanced through the playoffs following a tragic early-December bus crash involving the team’s cheer squad. With just about every top team taking significant hits due to graduation, the door is cracked for an open race to the top in 2017. Iraan After their magical run to the state championship game last year, the Braves return just four starters on both sides of the ball. But make no mistake – by the time the playoffs roll around, Mark Kirchhoff will have his team ready to go. Iraan has won at least 10 games in four straight years and has lost just four games in that same span. RB/S Kyle O’Bannon (1,563 total yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs) will set the pace on both sides of the ball and is back as a three-year starter on both sides of the ball. DT/OT Isaac Mendoza (82 tackles, 16 TFL, 7 sacks) will anchor the defensive line while S/RB Camden Chaney (78 tackles) will look to build off a strong showing in the playoffs while seeing more time on offense. QB/S Brodey Myers is expected to take over under center and if Iraan can overcome its inexperience early in the season, the Braves will be extremely tough again come November. Albany Denny Faith and Albany are always near the top of the region and last year was no exception. The Lions' only regular season loss came to Class 3A Cisco and they advanced to the regional semifinals before falling to Iraan. With one of the state’s top quarterbacks returning to lead the charge, Albany isn’t going anywhere in 2017. QB Brian Hamilton (3,358 total yards, 45 TDs) is the driving force of the offense and will be looking for an even bigger senior season. With two of Hamilton’s top weapons returning in WR Adan Faith (561 yards, 6 TDs) and WR Dax Neece (684 yards, 11 TDs), the offense should be firing on all cylinders. The defense will be strong again as well behind the leadership of juniors LB Cutter Edgar (134 tackles, 13 TFL) and DE Ryan Hill (92 tackles, 11 TFL). Cross Plains may provide a stiff test in District 6 after returning almost its entire starting lineup, but the Lions will be tough to tame this season. Muenster Brady Carney has built Muenster into a dominant force in the region and the Hornets fell just short of another trip to the regional championship last year after being bounced by Munday 40-34 in the semifinals. While the loss of Blayne Jones at the helm of the high-powered offensive attack will hurt, Muenster will have a bruising running game to lead the way this season. Behind the return of three first-team all-district offensive linemen – Carson Cheaney, Kody Walterscheid and Dean Walterscheid – RB Parker McGrew (1,536 total yards, 19 TDs) should have plenty of opportunities to build off his solid sophomore campaign. McGrew, Clay Stevens, Carson Tubenbach and Kagen Dangelmayr are impact players on both sides of the ball and Ethan Flaming will anchor the defensive line. While there will be a new quarterback, Muenster has the foundation needed to continue its success. Munday The Moguls advanced all the way to the regional championship before being outmatched in a 40-12 loss to Iraan and Munday won 12 straight games after losing its opener to Hawley. While the defense will be extremely inexperienced this season, coach Patrick Corcoran gets some key weapons back on offense to begin the quest for another deep run this season. S/RB Alex Thorn (117 tackles, 5 INTs, 675 yards, 6 TDs) will be one of the only top players back on defense and he will also see a significant increase in touches on the offensive side of the ball this season. The offense should be potent behind the return of QB Trevaul Mitchell (2,293 total yards, 27 TDs), who can only grow after a big sophomore season. OL/DL Kaven Lumsden will anchor the team in the trenches on both sides of the ball alongside the DL Sasha Thompson (40 tackles, 5 sacks, 11 TFL). While there are holes to fill, Thorn and Mitchell alone will combine to give opposing teams fits throughout the season.

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