Reg. 4 Rankings Reg. 4 Super Team Offense Reg. 4 Super Team Defense 1. Converse Judson (#3, 27-5A)* 2. Pflugerville (#17, 25-5A) 3. Smithson Valley (#18, 26-5A) 4. SA Madison (26-5A)* 5. Austin Bowie (25-5A)* 6. Austin Westlake (25-5A)* 7. New Braunfels (26-5A) 8. SA Warren (28-5A) 9. SA Southwest (29-5A)* 10. CC Carroll (27-5A)* Next three in…Clark, East Central, O'Connor * Div. 1 District Strength Ratings: 1. 26-5A 2. 25-5A 3. 27-5A 4. 28-5A 5. 29-5A 6. 30-5A 7. 32-5A 8. 31-5A   QB-WR Emory Blake, Austin High QB Dylan DeLeon, Weslaco RB Ryan Swope, Austin Westlake RB Stephen Salinas, SA Southwest RB Brandon Armstrong, SA Roosevelt (Jr.) WR DeAndre Perry, Austin Bowie (Jr.) WR Mike Walker, Austin Westlake AP Philander Moore, Austin Bowie TE Jesse Castor, SA Madison OL Jacob Lizcano, SA East Central OL Ameer Townes, Converse Judson OL Brady Brown, SA O’Connor OL Rudy Nerio, SA Madison OL Eric Salas, SA Roosevelt   DL Arturo Lopez, San Benito DL Calvin Howell, SA Warren DL Alex Okafor, Pflugerville DL IK Enemkpali, Pflugerville DL Jamie Lopez, Austin Bowie LB Tom Wort, New Braunfels LB Chris McAllister, Con. Judson LB Edgar Martinez, Los Fresnos LB Jonathan Rodriguez, SA Southwest DB Erik Brown, Converse Judson DB Joseph Bonugli, SA Warren DB Quentin Porter, Vic. Memorial DB Andrew Green, SA Madison K Aaron Hayduk, New Braunfels (Jr.)     Realignment Highlights           The new alignment brought about some major changes in this region.  Converse Judson was split from the traditional 26-5A and moved to 27-5A to join the Corpus schools, Victoria Memorial and a few other San Antonio area schools (Highlands, East Central, South San Antonio).  New Braunfels, promoted from Class 4A, and SA Johnson (new school) took Judson and Wagner’s place in 26-5A.  State finalists Pflugerville moved in to 25-5A from Region 2.  Pflugerville Connally, another 4A promotion, joined Pflugerville in 25-5A.  Brandeis, a new San Antonio school, joined 28-5A.  SA Southwest was moved from 27-5A to 29-5A with the Del Rio, Laredo and Eagle Pass schools.  La Joya Palmview, a new school, joined city neighbors La Joya in 30-5A.  There were no changes in 31-5A or 32-5A.   Region Analysis           Two of last year’s state finalists start as the favorites this season.  Both Judson and Pflugerville have several talented players returning on defense, and those units will lead both teams early while the new starters on offense adjust.  Judson won’t be as young as Pflugerville on offense.  Judson is a Division 1 lock as long as they make the playoffs.  Pflugerville is a Division 2 lock unless both Anderson and Connally make the playoffs.            Smithson Valley and Madison played a dramatic Region 4 title game in Division 2 last year, and both must replace several outgoing seniors.  These two have been consistent contenders in Region 4, and that is expected to continue this year despite the graduation losses.  Madison will go Division 1 this year since they are now the biggest school in 26-5A.  Smithson Valley actually has a Division 1 possibility if two of New Braunfels, Reagan and Johnson make the playoffs.  The Rangers won Region 4 three out of four years from 2002-2005, but have fallen short of their objective the last two seasons.            New Braunfels went to the semi-finals in the 4A Division 1 playoffs last year, and return one of the top linebacking crews in the state.  The Unicorns could emerge as a darkhorse candidate in the region.           The race at the top of 25-5A should be very competitive and entertaining.  25-5A has three teams in the region top ten.  26-5A is the only other district with that many teams represented.  Westlake lost to Bowie and Austin High last year, but could turn the tables back in their favor this season.  The Chaps return one of the state’s most dynamic players in RB Ryan Swope.  Bowie must rebuild on defense, but they return several key players on offense.  The top three or four teams in this district can be competitive in region overall.          The 28-5A teams have yet to really break through against their 26-5A counterparts, but their top teams generally do have the quality to play with the best teams in the region on a given day.  Warren is always dangerous because of their defense.  Warren is a newer school, but they’ve quickly established a reputation for strong defense.  O’Connor has also made some noise in recent seasons.  O’Connor has become a consistent program since their 11-3 season in 2003, so they can’t be overlooked.           San Antonio Southwest will likely have another quiet season, and potentially be 10-0 again going into the playoffs.  Southwest returns its top player, RB Stephen Salinas, from a team that challenged Judson in the second round last year.  Los Fresnos is the top ranked Valley team going into this season.  The Falcons return seven all-district players from a 10-3 team last year.            25-5A and 26-5A should generate very interesting races for playoff positions.  These districts look to be very competitive at the top, and that should set the stage for fantastic bi-district playoff match-ups.             Judson and Pflugerville start as the top two ranked teams, but both must battle inexperience early on offense.  However, their defenses are among the most talented in the state and that’s what makes them the early teams to beat in Region 4.  Madison and Smithson Valley are certainly capable of mounting a challenge.  Westlake represented the region two years ago, the Chaps have the ability to emerge as a contender this year if they take care of business in district.  This region could be a wide open race in both divisions by playoff time given all of the top teams have areas to address this season.  It will be interesting to see if the usual suspects (Judson, Westlake, Madison, Smithson Valley) maintain their hold  or if a darkhorse finally emerges to spoil the party.  Either way, it should be very competitive race to see who represents Region 4 this season.       Playoff Teams: Pflugerville, Bowie*, Westlake*, Austin High Off MVP: RB Ryan Swope, Austin Westlake, Sr. Def MVP: DE Alex Okafor, Pflugerville, Sr. Most Improved Team: Westlake Predicted Order of Finish: Pflugerville Austin Bowie Austin Westlake Austin High Pflugerville Connally Bastrop Austin Anderson Austin Akins Summary:                    State finalist Pflugerville moves in from Centex’s other district in Region 2.  Connally moves up from Class 4A.  The Panthers are early favorites to win the district title, but challenges could come from as any as three other teams.  Bowie, Westlake and Austin High will have something to say about the race.  Westlake has fallen off the pace uncharacteristically against Austin area schools (lost to Bowie and Austin High last year), and returns experienced players like Ryan Swope to try and right the ship.  Connally was a playoff team in 4A last year.       Playoff Teams: Smithson Valley, Madison*, New Braunfels, Roosevelt* Off MVP: RB Brandon Armstrong, Roosevelt, Jr. Def MVP: LB Tom Wort, New Braunfels, Sr. Most Improved Team: Roosevelt Predicted Order of Finish: Smithson Valley Madison New Braunfels Roosevelt Reagan Churchill Macarthur Lee Johnson Summary:           Realignment moved Judson and Wagner out of the traditional 26-5A set up and added new school SA Johnson along with New Braunfels, who was promoted from Class 4A.  New Braunfels finished 13-1 last year and return one of the top LB crews in the state.  Smithson Valley and Madison are the favorites to contend for the district crown.  Roosevelt is the prime darkhorse candidate.  Despite the Judson’s exit, this will still be a very competitive race.  Smithson Valley and Madison must be reload key positions, so a surprise finish here is not completely out of the question.  The top half of this district can challenge anyone else in the region.       Playoff Teams: Converse Judson*, East Central, CC Carroll, Wagner* Off MVP: RB-KR Chris Johnson, East Central, Jr. Def MVP: DB Erik Brown, Converse Judson, Sr. Most Improved Team: East Central Predicted Order of Finish: Converse Judson East Central CC Carroll Wagner CC King Victoria Memorial South San Antonio Highlands Summary:           Judson is a heavy favorite to win this district title off of their state championship appearance in 2007.  East Central returns several experienced players from last year’s playoff team, and Carroll is also returning key talent.  Wagner should contend for a playoff spot.  Wagner upset Judson last season in 26-5A.  King, Memorial, South San and Highlands will have a tough time cracking the top four.        Playoff Teams: Warren, Clark*, O'Connor, Stevens* Off MVP: OL Brady Brown, SA O'Connor, Sr. Def MVP: DT Calvin Howell, SA Warren, Sr. Most Improved Team: Stevens Predicted Order of Finish: Warren Clark O'Connor Stevens Marshall Taft Jay Holmes Brandeis Summary:          This has become one of the more competitive district races in the state.  Warren, Clark and O’Connor could be considered favorites 1a, 1b and 1c, but Warren is the early choice to win out due to a solid base of returning talent.  Clark returns eight all-district players.  Stevens improved as last year progressed, and could be primed for a playoff spot if they build off the momentum they generated in the second half of last season.       Playoff Teams: Southwest*, United*, Eagle Pass, United South Off MVP: RB Stephen Salinas, Southwest, Sr. Def MVP: LB Jonathan Rodriguez, Southwest, Sr. Most Improved Team: Eagle Pass Predicted Order of Finish: SA Southwest Laredo United Eagle Pass Laredo United South Laredo Martin Laredo Alexander Del Rio Eagle Pass Winn Summary:             Southwest moves in from 27-5A, and return four all-district players from an 11-1 team.  United, last year’s 29-5A champion, return several key players from last year’s 8-0 district run.  Eagle Pass will also be experienced.  United South, Martin and Alexander should battle for the last playoff position.  Southwest is a clear favorite with United and Eagle Pass getting the next two playoff spots.       Playoff Teams: McAllen, La Joya*, Donna*, Rowe Off MVP:  QB Adrian Leal, McAllen, Sr. Def MVP:  LB Richard Cantu, La Joya, Sr. Most Improved Team: McAllen Predicted Order of Finish: McAllen La Joya Donna McAllen Rowe Mission Sharyland Rio Grande City McAllen Memorial La Joya Palmview Summary:           This was a very competitive district race last season with four teams finishing in contention for the final two playoff spots behind Donna and McAllen.  All four playoff teams won their bi-district contest.  McAllen is this year’s favorite, but it should be another tightly contested race.  La Joya and Donna could also finish first.       Playoff Teams: Harlingen*, Harlingen South, PSJA*, Edinburg North Off MVP:  RB Phillip Fruge, Harlingen South, Sr. Def MVP:  DL Ed Martinez, PSJA Memorial, Sr. Most Improved Team: Harlingen Predicted Order of Finish: Harlingen Harlingen South PSJA Edinburg North Edinburg Economedes PSJA North PSJA Memorial Edinburg Summary:          Harlingen South ran away with last year’s title, finishing the regular season 10-0, but cross-towns rivals Harlingen are this year’s pre-season favorite.  The Cardinals return six all-district players.  South should keep the pressure on this year, and the race for the final spots looks like a race between four teams potentially.  The middle of this district got crowded last year with the final playoff spot decided between three teams separated by only a game in the standings.       Playoff Teams: Los Fresnos, San Benito*, Weslaco*, Lopez Off MVP: QB Dylan DeLeon, Weslaco, Sr.; RB Danny Mendez, Los Fresnos, Sr. Def MVP: DL Arturo Lopez, San Benito, Sr. Most Improved Team: San Benito Predicted Order of Finish: Los Fresnos San Benito Weslaco Brownsville Lopez Brownsville Rivera Brownsville Porter Brownsville Pace Brownsville Hanna  Summary:           Los Fresnos, San Benito and Weslaco are a clear top three in this district.  Los Fresnos fields an experienced team led by seven returning all-district seniors.  Weslaco returns QB Dylan DeLeon.  San Benito returns two of the districts best players on the defensive line.  Lopez returns the most experience of the Brownsville teams, and is the favorite to claim the final playoff spot.