Stepp's 5A DII Region III Picks: District Projections and Playoff Outlook

Defending state champion Richmond Randle headlines 9-5A Division II, but the team that Randle took down twice a year ago, Iowa Colony will be nipping at the Lions heels. Don’t be surprised if these two are playing in the regional finals once again in 2025. Perennial power Fort Bend Marshall lost just three games a year ago, with all three losses coming to their district rivals, including a loss in the playoffs to Iowa Colony, the Buffs will be among the best third place teams in the state.

Brenham was young a year ago and they ended up in the regional semifinals, pushing Randle to the limit in a competitive loss, the Cubs have to answer a big question at QB, but they are loaded everywhere else, if anyone outside of 9-5A Division II can win the Region, it’s Brenham. Waco University is ultra-talented, but the Trojans lack playoff pedigree, while Belton returns eight starters on both sides of the ball. Killeen Ellison, Waco and Bryan Rudder will all be in contention for the final playoff spot, with Ellison getting the early nod.

Bastrop stunned Liberty Hill a year ago to win 11-5A Division II, the Bears return seven on defense and the offense has enough parts to make them dangerous. Liberty Hill expects to be improved, but they lost their head coach and the depth isn’t quite there with the opening of the district’s second high school. Pflugerville with QB Cole Taylor is the pick for the three seed, while the battle for the last spot should come down to Connally and Elgin.

San Antonio ISD should be competitive amongst each other, but I don’t anticipate any teams in 12-5A Division II getting out of the first round of the playoffs. Lanier and their eight starters on both sides of the ball is the pick to over-take Burbank who has won the district the past two years. Sam Houston with fourteen starters back is going to be dangerous as their overall team speed makes them a tough matchup, while Edison and Jefferson in the annual “Tommy Bowl,” will battle for the final playoff spot.

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-5A Division II

1. Richmond Randle
2. Iowa Colony
3. Fort Bend Marshall
4. Texas City
5. Baytown Lee
6. Santa Fe
7. Rosenberg Terry
8. Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated

District 10-5A Division II

1. Brenham
2. Waco University
3. Belton
4. Killeen Ellison
5. Waco
6. Bryan Rudder

District 11-5A Division II

1. Bastrop
2. Liberty Hill
3. Pflugerville
4. Pflugerville Connally
5. Austin McCallum
6. Austin Navarro
7. Austin Crockett

District 12-5A Division II

1. San Antonio Lanier
2. San Antonio Sam Houston
3. San Antonio Burbank
4. San Antonio Edison
5. San Antonio Jefferson
6. San Antonio Highlands
7. San Antonio Brackenridge

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Richmond Randle vs F10 Killeen Ellison

R12 San Antonio Sam Houston vs T11 Pflugerville

W10 Brenham vs F9 Texas City

R11 Liberty Hill vs T12 San Antonio Burbank

W11 Bastrop vs F12 San Antonio Edison

R10 Waco University vs T9 Fort Bend Marshall

W12 San Antonio Lanier vs F11 Pflugerville Connally

R9 Iowa Colony vs T10 Belton

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Iowa Colony over Brenham