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

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 13-4A Division II

1. Waco La Vega
2. Robinson
3. Brownwood
4. Gatesville
5. Salado
6. Waco Connally

It’s a big shakeup in Region IV as this Central Texas-dominated district moves south in realignment. Even bigger news is Brownwood moves over from a traditional Region I alignment down into this district. La Vega played for a state title in 2024 and fell in the regional finals last year. Don Hyde may have one of his best teams ever this year as the Pirates welcome back 17starters, including three-year starter at QB Kourtney Parr. Robinson has one of the state’s top playmakers in TCU commit QB Brice McCurdy; the Rockets are loaded on offense, but they’ll only go as far as their defense takes them. Brownwood expects to be improved in year 2 under Jeryl Brixey, while Gatesville and Salado look like they’ll battle it out for the final spot. Waco Connally is the wild card. The Cadets ceiling is very high, but the floor is low as well. New head coach Willie Carter will look to make sure CHS is closer to that ceiling in 2026.

District 14-4A Division II

1. Wimberley
2. Lago Vista
3. Manor New Tech
4. Giddings
5. Austin Eastside
6. Austin Achieve

Traditionally, Wimberley has dominated Region IV at the 4A-Division II level winning the regional title in five of the last seven years and after a bit of a retooling season in 2025, the Texans expect to be right in the in 2026 with 15 returning starters. Lago Vista despite their youth in 2026 gets the nod for the two-seed over Manor New Tech. Lago Vista’s got the playoff pedigree and depth up front to hold off the Titans, which will feature a very experienced squad. The battle for the four-seed should be a tight one between Giddings and a very experienced Austin Eastside squad.

District 15-4A Division II

1. Cuero
2. Gonzales
3. Geronimo Navarro
4. Bandera
5. Pearsall
6. San Antonio Memorial

Cuero takes their rightful spot as the district favorite. The Gobblers were a regional finalist a year ago and defensively they should be much-improved with seven starters back. The offense has some stars at the skill spots as well and if the young offensive line steps up this is a potential title contender. Gonzales had a breakout season a year ago under first-year head coach Lyndon Hamilton. With that experience making the area playoffs in 2025, they’ll look to keep that momentum going as they try to hold off Bandera and what should be a much-improved Navarro bunch.

District 16-4A Division II

1. Rockport-Fulton
2. Port Isabel
3. Kingsville King
4. London
5. Robstown
6. La Feria
7. Ingleside
8. Rio Grande City Grulla

Down in South Texas, despite the youth Rockport-Fulton gets the edge in this district after a tremendous run in 2025 when they advanced to the regional semifinals. Port Isabel will represent the Rio Grande Valley. The Tarpons only have four starters back on both sides, but Port Isabel just reloads under legendary head coach Tony Villarreal. Kingsville has a lot of team speed and experience. The Brahmas will be under a new head coach as Marcus Graham comes over from Port Arthur. London gets the nod for the four-seed as they move up from 3A, but it’ll be a battle with Robstown, which was a surprise area round playoff team in 2025.

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS AND PLAYOFF OUTLOOK

W13 Waco La Vega vs F14 Giddings

R16 Port Isabel vs T15 Geronimo Navarro

W14 Wimberley vs F13 Gatesville

R15 Gonzales vs T16 Kingsville King

W15 Cuero vs F16 London

R14 Lago Vista vs T13 Brownwood

W16 Rockport-Fulton vs F15 Bandera

R13 Robinson vs T14 Manor New Tech

Much of the power in this region lies in the Waco area with La Vega and Robinson both projected to get to Thanksgiving weekend on opposite sides of the bracket. That area round matchup between Wimberley and Gonzales could be quite fun. Wimberley won a one score game a year ago. Cuero looks like the best bet to challenge La Vega’s supremacy, but that possible around game against Brownwood could be a fun matchup of TXHSFB blue blood programs.

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Waco La Vega over Cuero