Educated Guesses: 5A Division II

Kickoff to the 2025 season is getting closer and closer, and the time has come to take a stab at how things will play out in each district featuring Big Country football teams.

I call them educated guesses, like your teachers used to, because I feel I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the upcoming season after speaking with area coaches for the 2025 edition of Big Country Blitz.

For the record, last season Big Country Blitz got four out of four playoff picks correct in 5A DII.

Wylie emerged as the winner in a very competitive district a year ago, and things could be even tougher in 2025.

The Bulldogs, Lubbock Cooper, and Wichita Falls Memorial look like the top three teams in the district, while Palo Duro has the most returning starters (8 offense/8 defense), and Abilene Cooper has plenty of talent as well. Plainview welcomes back nine starters on offense and could be much better, and Legacy looks to bounce back from an injury-plagued 0-10 debut season.

Wylie RB Julius Laine

Both Wylie and Lubbock Cooper will have to replace some big-time talent on both sides of the ball, but the return of running back Julius Laine from injury will help the new Bulldog quarterback in a big way.

Memorial welcomes back quarterback Joe Castles, who put up good numbers as a junior and has committed to play at ACU.

Cooper DE Dycin Davis

Cooper has one of the best defensive players in the district back in senior Dycin Davis, who has committed to play in college at UTEP. He and Cougars hope to extend their playoff streak to 19 years, but it won’t be easy holding off surging Palo Duro. Jaden Carrillo moves from receiver to quarterback for his senior season and could make a big impact on the Cooper offense.