Stepp's 4A DII Region III Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

The race at the top of 9-4A Division II should be fascinating as most outlets have West Orange-Stark as the team to beat, but I’m leaning to Silsbee and its 15 returning starters. The Tigers got on a roll late in the year and if they can answer one big question at QB, Randy Smith’s squad will be a contender. WOS has one of the state’s most explosive running backs, and you know the Mustangs will be solid on defense. Hamshire-Fannett took some hits with graduation, but the Longhorns are firmly established after back-to-back 10-win seasons.

Look for West Columbia and Brookshire Royal to battle it out for the crown in 10-4A Division II. Fresh off an area-round playoff appearance, West Columbia gets the edge with seven starters back on both sides of the ball. Royal brings back 15 starters and is close behind. LaMarque may be one of Region III’s most improved teams, so keep an eye on the Cougars.

Sealy, fresh off a run to the regional final a year ago, could make another deep run as the Tigers return 17 starters, led by QB Kane Killough. Bellville, who played for a state title in 2023, expects to be much improved after a disappointing 8-4 season a year ago. Madisonville and La Grange expect to be the contenders for the final two spots, with Giddings looking to play spoiler.

12-4A Division II might be the deepest district in all of 4A Division II, as a regional semifinalist with six starters back on both sides of the ball (Gatesville) is picked sixth. Waco La Vega, a state runner-up a year ago, is poised for a repeat run behind a veteran offense and an always tough defense. Robinson and Waco Connally have explosive playmakers at the QB spot, while China Spring looks to rebound after a tough 2024 campaign.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-4A Division II

1. Silsbee
2. West Orange-Stark
3. Hamshire-Fannett
4. Jasper
5. Shepherd
6. Cleveland Tarkington

District 10-4A Division II

1. West Columbia
2. Brookshire Royal
3. La Marque
4. Sweeny
5. Wharton
6. Katy Harmony
7. Sugar Land Harmony

District 11-4A Division II

1. Sealy
2. Bellville
3. Madisonville
4. La Grange
5. Giddings
6. Caldwell

District 12-4A Division II

1. Waco La Vega
2. Robinson
3. China Spring
4. Waco Connally
5. Lorena
6. Gatesville

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Silsbee vs F10 Sweeny

R12 Robinson vs T11 Madisonville

W10 West Columbia vs F9 Jasper

R11 Bellville vs T12 Waco Connally

W11 Sealy vs F12 China Spring

R10 Brookshire Royal vs T9 Hamshire-Fannett

W12 Waco La Vega vs F11 La Grange

R9 West Orange-Stark vs T10 La Marque

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Waco La Vega over Silsbee