High school football predictions: Picks for the Lubbock area's UIL districts in 2023

What would the high school football preseason be without predictions? I gave my best guess as to what the Lubbock area's 11-man UIL districts will look like once the dust settles. It should come as no surprise there were more than a few tough decisions, whether that was picking the top spot or final playoff berth.

Feel free to bookmark this for the end of the season to see me how wrong I was.

DISTRICT 2-6A

1. Frenship

2. Midland Legacy

3. Odessa Permian

4. San Angelo Central

5. Midland High

6. Odessa High

Prediction: It's never easy in this district, and it won't be this year. Frenship, Legacy and Permian shared the title last season, and I suspect they'll be battling at the top again. I like what the Tigers bring back, giving them a slight edge over another experienced squad in Legacy.

DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I

1. Amarillo Tascosa

2. Abilene High

3. Lubbock-Cooper

4. Amarillo High

5. Coronado

6. Monterey

7. Amarillo Caprock

Prediction: Another district I feel it's hard to separate the top three. Margins will be thin. The Coronado at Amarillo High game Oct. 12 could decide the final playoff berth.

DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION II

1. Abilene Wylie

2. Wichita Falls Rider

3. Abilene Cooper

4. Amarillo Palo Duro

5. Plainview

6. Lubbock High

Prediction: I think Rider lost a bit more than Wylie, which is coming off a third-round appearance. Cooper should be in the mix, too. For the second season in a row I predict the fourth seed to be decided in the finale between Plainview and Palo Duro.

DISTRICT 2-4A DIVISION I

1. Estacado

2. Brownwood

3. Big Spring

4. Andrews

5. San Angelo Lake View

Prediction: Talent-wise, there's no reason why Estacado can't win the district. Brownwood will make things tough, though.

DISTRICT 2-4A DIVISION II

1. Seminole

2. Canyon West Plains

3. Perryton

4. Levelland

5. Borger

Prediction: The Seminole defense is gonna be salty. West Plains hosts Seminole to open district in one of the games of the year.

DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II

1. Wichita Falls Hirschi

2. Graham

3. Midland Greenwood

4. Snyder

5. Sweetwater

Prediction: The race for second place has my intrigue. Three teams tied for it last season.

DISTRICT 1-3A DIVISION I

1. Denver City

2. Brownfield

3. Lamesa

4. Kermit

5. Slaton

Prediction: Denver City has a slight experience edge on Brownfield, and I think the Mustangs will have a slight edge in the district race. Third place is up for grabs.

DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION I

1. Shallowater

2. Bushland

3. Muleshoe

4. Dalhart

5. Amarillo River Road

Prediction: History repeats itself with Shallowater-Bushland deciding the district title. The Mules should be tough, too.

DISTRICT 4-3A DIVISION II

1. Idalou

2. Roosevelt

3. Abernathy

4. Littlefield

5. Coahoma

6. Stanton

Prediction: I like Idalou to make a jump in coach Clay White's second year. Abernathy at Roosevelt should have big implications.

DISTRICT 1-2A DIVISION I

1. Stratford

2. Panhandle

3. Farwell

4. Amarillo Highland Park

5. Stinnett West Texas

6. Sanford-Fritch

Prediction: Farwell's lack of depth is a concern, but a healthy squad could challenge for second. The bottom three could be any in order.

DISTRICT 2-2A DIVISION I

1. New Deal

2. Floydada

3. Sundown

4. Olton

5. Post

6. Tahoka

Prediction: The Lions' reign continues, but I could see second through sixth in any order. Truly.

DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION II

1. Sudan

2. Ralls

3. Bovina

4. Hale Center

5. Lockney

6. Crosbyton

Prediction: Sudan has the roster to win multiple playoff games. The race for the third seed should be competitive.

DISTRICT 4-2A DIVISION II

1. New Home

2. Ropes

3. Plains

4. Seagraves

5. Smyer

6. Morton

Prediction: It's no secret New Home is the heavy favorite. Second through fourth is a coin flip for me.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: High school football predictions for the Lubbock area's UIL districts