Region IV - Dark Horses

[shooter]

I'm no expert but I have seen 10 of the 24 teams play from Region IV this year. A couple of teams to watch out for:

DI - Don't think this is the year for the Valley to make their move. After seeing Harlingen in the first game of the season they would have to have come a long way to catch up with the likes of the Northern schools. The Dark Horse has to be Seguin. Here is a team that got a taste of the playoffs last year and should be hungry for more. And the Region Championship might be this week’s game against Judson. Seguin has a nice defense that will have to play smarter than Reagan last week and their running back will have to endure some punishment from the Rocket D. They might catch Judson on the bounce after what the Rockets have been through this past week and if they can protect the ball and sneak out a win I think they can beat O'Connor who was exposed last week. From there they just need to keep their heads on strait and they could come out of Region IV

DII - John Jay might be the best team no one is talking about. They are flat out flying under the radar. I have seen them play twice and they remind me a lot of the Madison teams from the past couple of years but with an attacking defense. The speed on this squad is flat out scary. Their QB does not do much but the backs and O-Line are one of the best in the area. Both times I have seen them play they have man-handled teams that on paper looked to be better. They won the District title but smacking around O'C last week and would have gone undefeated if not for having the fumbles in the Overtime loss to Clark. First round should not be an issue if Corpus plays to recent form. Big game looming against SV but I think they will match up well and could (if they don't make big mistakes) come out with a win. If Marcos plays out for the second round I think they have a bit more trouble with the grind it out style but still win with the speed they bring to the table. If so I think they can take anyone from the top side of the region Bracket with Clemens the only trouble on the horizon.

[RPM]

Harlingen is more than likely the team to be in the 3rd round in D1..They had some growing pains early in the season but they are a much better team and are playing better..However even though this region is not as strong as it has been I dont think Harlingen will have enough to win this game..have not seen the SA teams this year but I expected alot more from Harlingen this year..

in DII the 3rd rounders from the valley are more than likely going to be Los Fresnos and if PSJA can get by Nixon which is possible they will be there too..they wont got past that though..

[c-lisle]

CUJO, CUJO.

If they can get past Garland they will prolly face former coach and Carter. With their run D they might make it a game with a run heavy Carter. Then who knows in the third round. I would say they were a cinderella if they made it to third round considering their past few seasons.

[sendero]

Is CC Carroll any good? I mean them and Clemens are the only undefeated teams in the Region.

[mad_fan]

Is CC Carroll any good? I mean them and Clemens are the only undefeated teams in the Region.


They're both AWESOME! I can't believe CCC it's #10 in the state!!! :D (Clemens being #9, of course).

[mad_fan]

Shooter, I've talking to myself about Jay for the past month-and-a-half!!! :confused:

[RPM]

Carroll has some deep threats and thats about it..they have 2 tall recievers with good speed who just mainly jump up for the ball against any corner..they play mismatch alot with those recievers..there QB is mobile but nothing fancy..CC 5a teams are down and have been down this past 2 years..

[TexasRed6x]

Judson, since everyone says they are nit that good, they have to be a dark horse.

[lonny23]

Judson is a dark horse for state. I can't really say they're a dark horse for the Region. Many people still expect them to get to the semis. Seguin is a dark horse becauase they're probably thought of as 3rd best in the region. Harlingen will make the Round of 8, but I don't see them winning.

Jay is a tough team that very few people are talking about. Them and CCC will be a tough matchup for SV in Round 2.

[shooter]

Of the 26 Football games I have seen this season I would have to say the Jay vs. O'Connor Game was the most complete game I have seen by any team this year. Dropping 21 on O'C that quick and that easy was impressive enough but then to see the team continue it's intensity for the rest of the game in all aspects was eye-opening. This team seems to be peaking going into the post season. I saw them play Warren a few week before and they dominate a defense that was touted as one of the best in the area. In that game I think they were still finding themselves but last week there was no hesitation. I really like this coaching staff too. The head coach (I think he is a Jay Grad) is a young guy with a lot of intensity. He's not the Raw-Raw type just the type of coach you look at and think "He would rather be out there playing than coaching” His staff uses a backyard-ball approach to the game. The O-Cord calls the plays from the sidelines and you never see him with a set of phones. He just calls the game by feel and does a great job of it. The Head Coach does not use the phones either come to think of it I can only remember one coach having phones on the sidelines. They have this "Draw it up in the sand" attitude and let the kids have fun.

I would keep my eye on Jay.

[Oskie07]

I think all the best teams are in the D2 bracket from Region 4. I think until the "studs" are knocked out (Clemens and Smithson Valley) that they have to be the favorites. I think San Marcos and Jay can give them good games, but they definitely have to prove themselves because historically speaking Clemens and recent history with Smithson Valley have been there and done that. My two darkhorses though are definitely San Marcos and Jay. They both run it at you and play tough defense. I'm really not that excited about the D1 bracket although again until someone knocks out Judson they have to be considered the favorite with their win over Reagan and their storied playoff history.