Upstart Sunray took home their first regional crown in 2023 behind a dynamic passing attack, however the Bobcats won’t have a chance for a repeat as they’ve up to Division I. Another Panhandle power that earned a regional crown a year ago is here to replace Sunray and that’s last year’s Division I champion Stratford who moved back down to the Division II level.
Stratford takes the mantle as the team to beat out of the Panhandle as the Elks return eight starters on both sides of the ball from a team that posted a 14-1 mark at the Division I level. If it weren’t for Stratford, Gruver would be a real threat as the Greyhounds were 10-3 a year ago and bring back fourteen starters. Farwell is another legit contender as the Steers traditionally are always in the mix.