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

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-4A Division II

1. Van
2. Athens
3. Canton
4. Madisonville
5. Rusk
6. Brownsboro

The UIL threw a bit of a curveball here with this pairing of teams in East Texas sliding into Region III. The trip from Madisonville all the way up to I-20 where Canton and Van lie will be hefty and the bi-district travel could be a challenge as well. Athens made a tremendous run a year ago getting all the way to the regional finals before falling to Carthage, but the Hornets were hit hard by graduation as just two starters return on offense. That should open things up for a 10-win Van squad that returns 13 starters to take charge of the district race. Canton was one of the big surprises in the state a year ago posting a 10-2 mark. The Eagles should be right in the thick of the district race with seven back on both sides. Madisonville is picked fourth, but the Mustangs could be one of the tougher fourth place teams around.

District 10-4A Division II

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

If you can find a tougher district in the state at the 4A-Division II level, I’d like to see it. This brutal loop goes six deep. The last place team in this district is not only a playoff team in most other districts, but might contend in some districts for the title! We start with West Orange-Stark at the top. The Mustangs were state runner-up a year ago and return star RB Khelvey Jefferson along with seven starters on both sides of the ball. There’s talent across the board. The only real questions will be consistency in the passing game and depth on the defensive line. Hamshire-Fannett has the best signal-caller in the district in QB Blake Broussard and they have Texas State ATH commit Isaiah Reed. the Longhorns look poised to make a real run in 2026. Shepherd, who was a surprise playoff team a year ago, looks poised for their best season in school history with eight starters back on both sides. Their defensive line will be among the best in the state. Silsbee is extremely consistent and the Tigers return eight on offense. If their young defense can mature, don’t be surprised if the Tigers make some noise. Hardin-Jefferson drops back down from Division I after going 4-6 a year ago. The Hawks have a pair of potential FBS players in ATH D’Corian Warren and junior RB Eric Pitre, Jr. Even Jasper will be improved with a lot of experience back under a new coaching staff.

District 11-4A Division II

1. Houston Yates
2. Houston Worthing
3. Houston North Forest
4. Houston Washington
5. Houston Wheatley
6. Houston Kashmere
7. Houston Furr
8. Houston Scarborough

After a banner 2025 season in which Yates went 11-1 and won a playoff game, the Lions drop into Division II with their eyes set on playing Thanksgiving weekend. Jason Lewis’ squad has the pieces to get it done and some motivation with last year’s heartbreaking area round playoff loss. Worthing and North Forest look to be locked in a tight battle for that two seed, which will be very important considering the bi-district matchup projects to be tough. There will be another death-struggle for the final playoff spot as Booker T. Washington and Wheatleycare a dead heat on paper. Kashmere will be much-improved and could play spoiler for someone, or if things break right they could just grab that playoff spot for themselves.

District 12-4A Division II

1. La Marque
2. Bellville
3. Hitchcock
4. La Grange
5. Brazosport
6. Katy Harmony

It’s safe to say the La Marque Cougars may be back. Wade Oliphant led the Cougs to a 10-3 mark a year ago and they bring back a solid core with a new stadium opening this year. There’s just a lot to be excited about when it comes to La Marque football. We’ll give La Marque the edge, but counting Bellville out would be a huge mistake. The Brahmas have a punishing ground game and they’ll be tough, but young in the trenches. Hitchcock’s been a power in 3A recently and the Bulldogs make the jump to 4A with a veteran group as 28 lettermen return. La Grange will be much-improved as well as the Leopards welcome back nine starters on both sides of the ball from a playoff team.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W9 Van vs F10 Silsbee

R12 Bellville vs T11 Houston North Forest

W10 West Orange-Stark vs F9 Madisonville

R11 Houston Worthing vs T12 Hitchcock

W11 Houston Yates vs F12 La Grange

R10 Hamshire-Fannett vs T9 Canton

W12 La Marque vs F11 Houston Washington

R9 Athens vs T10 Shepherd

REGIONAL CHAMPION

West Orange-Stark over La Marque