Region 1 is home to 6 of our Preseason Top 25 teams.  Southlake Carroll is once again the head of the class and the clear favorite to represent Region 1 in the State Semifinals.  The twist this year is that, because of the new 4-team playoff format, Carroll is projected to be in the Division 1 bracket.  Carroll has many holes to fill after losing 10 D1 scholarship players, but a pair of outstanding juniors, QB Riley Dodge and RB Tre Newton, return to lead the Dragon offensive machine.  In limited action, Dodge gave everyone a preview of the future of Carroll football.  When it’s all said and done, Dodge could stand alone as the best of the Dragon QB’s.  Tre Newton was a true difference maker on last year’s squad and it’s almost scary to think that he still has two more years to develop.  Carroll may not have many players back this fall, but this is Carroll we’re talking about; they’ll be fine.

    Newcomer Lewisville Hebron is riding the momentum of the school’s first State Championship and returns 8 All-District players from last year’s 16-0 season.  Four of Hebron’s key players star on both offense and defense, giving them, effectively, 12 returning All-District players.  Hebron is projected to be the top team in the Div. 2 bracket.  QB Brian Aubuchon is an equally dangerous threat both passing and running, forcing defenders to be hesitant to commit one way or the other.  Expect the Hawks to pick up right where they left off in the 4A ranks.

    Of the other teams projected to be in the Division 1 bracket, Euless Trinity appears to be the strongest and most capable of giving Carroll a test.  Last year, Trinity and Carroll were on a crash course to meet in round 1, but, instead, both went on to win State Championships.  Trinity returns 7 All-District performers from last years championship team.  If RB Justice Campbell is s good as advertised, the Trinity offense may not miss Nance and Handy as much as originally thought.

    A couple other teams to watch for in the Div. 1 bracket are Mansfield Summit and South Grand Prairie.  The Jaguars will be led by one of the most gifted athletes in the nation with John Chiles taking over the full-time QB duties.  Chiles will be surrounded by an excellent collection of skill talent, but the question, for Summit, is whether or not they’ll be able to rebuild their defense.  SGP had a senior dominated team last fall, but they return key players QB Denzel Dewberry, OL Trey Allen, and DL Justin Williams.  The Warriors could be a tough out if they can do a better job of putting points on the board.

    Cedar Hill and Abilene are two other teams to watch in the region.  Cedar Hill isn’t traditionally known for its football, but this year’s squad returns a staggering amount of proven talent from last year’s 7-4 team.  Abilene, on the other hand, has many holes to fill, but they have proven to be a very resilient bunch under Coach Warren.  The Eagles’ strength will lie in their defense this fall and if the offense comes around, they could be very dangerous.