REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Region III has traditionally been very Houston-centric over the years, but the dynamics have changed with an Austin-area district and a powerful San Antonio area district being added to the mix. Don’t be surprised if the GHA is shut out in 5A-Division I.

9-5A Division I is almost entirely Houston ISD, with the addition of Galveston Ball who should benefit greatly from the new alignment as they will take the mantle of district favorite. Sterling, who is opted up from Division II is the best bet for second place, while Austin, Waltrip, Madison, Milby and Sharpstown all have a fighting chance at one of the final two playoff spots.

Although not as deep as it was a year ago, 10-5A Division I is still power packed with always talented Manvel getting the edge to win the district. The Mavericks are very young and could be overtaken by a veteran Angleton squad that took a big step forward in 2021. The middle of the pack in 10-5A Division I is still deep with Magnolia West, Fulshear, Foster, Friendswood and Magnolia all being more than capable of springing into the top half of the district standings.

The deepest district in Region III is definitely 11-5A Division I with defending state runner-up College Station and perennial power Cedar Park leading the way. Keep an eye on a veteran A&M Consolidated squad moving up from Division II, the Tigers could be a real factor in the district and regional race in 2022. Georgetown and Leander Glenn look to be the most likely candidates for the final playoff spot, with Hendrickson and East View both capable of playing spoiler.

The northern and western suburbs of the San Antonio area get pulled into Region III in a unique realignment quirk for the next two seasons. Perennial power Smithson Valley drops down from Class 6A, but how much has the Rangers depth been hurt by the opening of two new high schools in Comal ISD? They should have enough leadership and talent in the junior and senior classes to get the job done. Wagner is always talented as well and the last two years they were in 5A, the Thunderbirds won back-to-back regional titles. New Braunfels Canyon, Seguin and Boerne Champion who moves up from Division II will be strong candidates for the final two playoff spots.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-5A Division I

1. Galveston Ball
2. Houston Sterling
3. Houston Austin
4. Houston Waltrip
5. Houston Madison
6. Houston Milby
7. Houston Sharpstown
8. Houston Northside
9. Houston Wisdom

District 10-5A Division I

1. Manvel
2. Angleton
3. Magnolia West
4. Fulshear
5. Richmond Foster
6. Friendswood
7. Magnolia
8. Rosenberg Terry
9. Fort Bend Kempner

District 11-5A Division I

1. College Station
2. College Station A&M Consolidated
3. Cedar Park
4. Georgetown
5. Leander Glenn
6. Pflugerville Hendrickson
7. Georgetown East View
8. Leander

District 12-5A Division I

1. Smithson Valley
2. San Antonio Wagner
3. New Braunfels Canyon
4. Seguin
5. Boerne Champion
6. Buda Hays Consolidated
7. San Antonio MacArthur
8. Kyle Lehman

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Galveston Ball vs F10 Fulshear

R12 San Antonio Wagner vs T11 Cedar Park

W10 Manvel vs F9 Houston Waltrip

R11 College Station A&M Consolidated vs T12 New Braunfels Canyon

W11 College Station vs F12 Seguin

R10 Angleton vs T9 Houston Austin

W12 Smithson Valley vs F11 Georgetown

R9 Houston Sterling vs T10 Magnolia West

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

Smithson Valley over College Station A&M Consolidated