2025 TNG Class 6A Region 1 Preview
Regional Top 20 plus projections and commentary on each district race
In this post, we’ll first take a look at the Top 20 teams in Region 1 and then we’ll dive into each district individually. We’ll look at the projected final standings in each district, complete with overall team ratings (OVR), offensive ratings (OFF), defensive ratings (DEF), state and regional rankings, and playoff projections/odds along with brief commentary on each district’s race.
1-6A Projection
Eastlake impressively won the district by two full games last year over Franklin and Pebble Hills. All three return similar overall experience, but Pebble Hills returns first All-District QB Joe Fernandez while Eastlake has to replace district MVP Luke Lomeli. Franklin returns 2,000 yard rusher Ernie Powers and along with QB Lucas Garza and 3 All-District offensive linemen. As you can see in the numbers above, the race between the top three at the top will be intense.
Coronado is slightly favored to take the final playoff spot, just ahead of Eastwood, due to returning more experience from a far better defense. Eastwood had a rough year and they were young last year, but they’ll need the D to step up in a big way to get back into contention.
2-6A Projection
Frenship completed an undefeated district title last year before taking Southlake Carroll to the brink in a thrilling 49-42 second round contest. The Tigers will be hard-pressed to replace their unbelievable QB output from the last two years, but they might just field their best defense yet, with 10 returning all-district performers on that side of the ball. Projected to surpass Frenship this year are the Midland Legacy Rebels who return a good balance of talent and experience on both sides of the ball. Junior QB JP Reyes returns to lead the always potent Rebel offense.
Permian had a down year by their standards on defense last year, but Coffee Powell, Caleb Jamison, and Cameron Mattingly return to lead an experienced unit that should have them comfortably among the top three in the district.
There appears to be a pretty good gap between the top three and the bottom three here, with San Angelo Central and Midland being the most likely candidates to claim the final playoff spot. The Bulldogs have a nearly complete rebuild on their hands, opening the door for Central to possibly get back into the postseason.
3-6A Projection
North Crowley was absolutely untouchable last year, outscoring the district by an average score of 62.5-7.5. While the Panthers should come back to the pack a bit after graduating such an experienced class, they should still have no problems at all in district play. Crowley and Mansfield are pretty clearly the best of the rest, even though Mansfield returns none of their 12 All-District performers from last year. Crowley was outstanding defensively a year ago and they should still be very good even with losing the defensive coordinator to Hutto.
Legacy, Weatherford, and Boswell look fairly evenly-matched going into the season and they all return similar levels of experience, but Legacy gets the nod as the likely fourth playoff representative due to how thoroughly the defeated the other two last year.
4-6A Projection
To nobody’s surprise, state preseason #1 Southlake Carroll is expected to dominate the district yet again. The Dragons return 22 All-District honorees from a team that went unbeaten in district play. Trinity is a very easy pick at number two even though they’ll be inexperienced on both sides of the ball. With Byron Nelson having to replace 9 of their 11 All-District players, they will be even more inexperienced than Trinity, but are still a good bet to finish comfortably in the playoff picture. Our hearts go out to the entire Bobcat community following the tragic loss of Coach Travis Pride.
Keller looks like the top candidate to grab the final playoff spot. The Indians are projected just ahead of Eaton and Justin Northwest as they return more experience than either. If this scenario were to play out, Byron Nelson would be pushed to the Division 2 bracket this year.
5-6A Projection
Coppell rolled to an undefeated district title last year, but DB Tyree Roberson is the only one of 24 All-District selections that returns from last year. It’s incredibly rare that a team faces that severe of a rebuilding task in the course of one offseason. The Cowboys should be in the mix for one of the final playoff spots, but they’ll face tough challenges from Hebron and Marcus. Hebron was one of last year’s most improved teams, but faces a rebuild of their own on defense. Marcus, led by QB Colton Nussmeier and 3 of their 5 All-District defenders returning should be firmly in contention as well.
While those three battle for the final two spots, Guyer and Lewisville appear to be headed for an epic battle for the district title. Lewisville, even projected #15 in the state, has a ton of upside with a wealth of talent and experience on both sides of the ball, while Guyer returns and excellent defense and a potentially explosive offense led by Jr. QB Zephyr Kreye, DJ Reese, and Corbin Glasco.
6-6A Projection
Allen is projected to repeat their undefeated district title from last year, with a team that should be improved on both sides of the ball. Featuring the state’s #3 rated defense and a Top-15 offense, the Eagles are a legitimate state title contender. Prosper will clearly be Allen’s top competition within the district and they may actually be underrated to start the year. Prosper will once again feature a fantastic offense and they should be back toward their norm on defense.
While nobody rates within four touchdowns of the top two, this district still features an incredibly intriguing race, with spots 3 through 7 appearing to be very balanced. In fact, just 157 Elo points (about a TD) separates McKinney, projected third, from Boyd, projected seventh. Assuming McKinney gets in, either East or Plano taking the final spot would send Prosper to Division 2.
7-6A Projection
Lake Highlands, despite losing nearly everyone except outstanding RB Christian Rhodes on offense, is favored to repeat as district champs. The Wildcats return a solid nucleus on defense and actually return more All-District performers (6) than the rest of the district combined (5). Jesuit lost QB Charlie Peters and all four of their other All-District players on offense, but if they can return to their norm on defense, they could get closer to Lake Highlands.
The final playoff spots will come down to the three remaining Richardson ISD schools again battling it out for two spots. Pearce will be tasked with replacing prolific QB Presley Harper, but could still have enough to fend off Berkner and Richardson. Berkner, with their talent coming up in the ‘27 and ‘28 classes could have enough to slide past returning district Offensive MVP WR Dameon Crowe and the Richardson Eagles.
8-6A Projection
Bowie won the district by two full games last year, with no game being decided by less than double-digits. The Vols should still be in good position to make a strong title defense despite sustaining heavy graduation losses to their outstanding offense. South Grand Prairie was very young last year and they return 15 of their 23 All-District performers, including 8 of 11 on offense. After a couple of down years, SGP looks primed to return to the top.
Martin is another team to keep an eye on after an uncharacteristically poor year on defense which led to them shockingly missing the playoffs. Martin should be much improved on D, with 3 of their 4 All-District defenders back. Arlington and Haltom should also be in the hunt for the playoffs, with Arlington getting the slight nod due to the return of QB Coleman Cravens.