Previously: 

6A: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DI: Region I / Region II / Region III / Region IV

5A DII: Region I / Region II

Today’s spotlight: Class 5A Division II Region III

Region III saw a slight change in the makeup with the split division concept. There’s still one East Texas district in the region but gone are the teams from Central Texas as most are Division I or moved to Class 6A. Waco University was the only Division II squad left in the CenTex and it moved to Region I, while College Station A&M Consolidated moves south into a Houston area district. Joining College Station in 10-5A Division II is 4A move-up Cleveland and 6A drop-down Montgomery.  New schools Montgomery Lake Creek and Katy Paetow will be added to the mix as well. Powerful Manvel will be in 11-5A Division II along with the Houston ISD programs and the two Fort Bend ISD 5A Division II programs. 12-5A Division II is a combination of the two former Golden Triangle districts, with Santa Fe being added in as well. The district could have been a 10-team mega district, had Beaumont ISD not consolidated their two 5A schools into a single 6A school.

Marshall

First-year head coach Claude Mathis and his new staff and attitude had an impact in Marshall as the Mavericks earned themselves a district title a year ago and a near first round upset. Marshall returns 13 total starters led by WR’s Dakendrick Bender, Taj Washington and the return of Savion Williams who missed 2017 with an injury. Versatile junior QB J.J. Green who accounted for 25 touchdowns as a sophomore is back as well and should be much improved with a full year of experience under his belt. The defense didn’t allow more than 20 points in any district game a year ago and brings back six starters led by DB Champ Mathis and talented junior DE Marcus Jones. If the Mavericks can develop some depth in the trenches, they have the talent to be a real factor post-Thanksgiving.

Manvel

There will be lots of change for the Mavericks in 2018 as gone is a stellar group of seniors and head coach Kirk Martin who is now at Syracuse and former defensive coordinator Kevin Hall takes over. The program’s depth will likely be impacted with Shadow Creek now up and running full speed ahead, but make no mistake the Mavericks are still the team to beat in Region III and maybe all of Division II. Manvel will have an outstanding ground game with the return of Ladarius Owens and Garrison Johnson.  The Mavericks will need consistency with the rushing game replacing their QB and most of the receivers. Kori Roberson will lead a young but very fast defense. The Mavericks’ ability to rush the passer will be key as their young defense develops.

A&M Consolidated

The Tigers had no troubles adjusting to new head coach Lee Fedora advancing to the area playoffs and with a dozen starters back the Tigers are primed for a big season. Caden Fedora (1,386 passing, 11 TDs) started the year as the starting QB but got injured and Gage Pahl (660 passing, 6 TDs) stepped in and looked good as well. Whoever wins the QB job will have a stable of outstanding receivers in Brian Darby (663 receiving, 6 TDs), Devin Price (561 receiving, 7 TDs) and Steven Ray (315 receiving, 4 TDs). The defense is anchored by Texas A&M verbal commit DT Josh Ellison (111 tackles, 9 sacks) and DB Nate Floyd (6 INTs). The biggest key for A&M Consolidated in 2018 will be replacing some graduation losses at running back and linebacker. If those key spots get filled the Tigers will be right in the thick of the Region III race.

Huntsville

Huntsville’s success in 2017 could be a sign of things to come for the Hornets who bring back a solid core from a team that earned a district title along with help from a JV squad that was 9-0. The offense brings plenty of experience back with RB Jaeryne Green (630 rushing, 8 TDs) and WR Jaylon Griffin (266 receiving, 4 TDs) along with QB Matthew Southern (404 passing, 4 TDs) who impressed in limited action as a sophomore. The defense has the potential to be dominant with the return of DE T’Vondre Sweat (53 tackles, 3 sacks) who is committed to Texas. He’s the headliner of the defensive unit, but there’s also LB Sheadrick Green (57 tackles, first team all-district) and DB Jadun McCarty (5 INT’s, first team all-district) back as well. Huntsville lacks a lot of playoff experience, but the Hornets have the talent to make them a real sleeper in Region III.