A year ago Bellville rolled through Region  III in shockingly easy fashion before the Brahmas were knocked off in a close contest in the state championship game. Region III will be incredibly tough once again in 2024 as the addition of power players from Central Texas in 12-4A Division II will add to what will be a tough post-season race.

Down in the Golden Triangle things expect to shake up as last year’s top team Silsbee is expected to take a step back, which should open the door for Hamshire-Fannett who has been knocking on the door the past two seasons. Jasper, who advanced to the regional finals a year ago must replace nine defensive starters, but the Bulldogs have found an identity and should hold off West Orange-Stark and Silsbee for the second place spot.

10-4A Division II looks to be a two-horse race for the district title with West Columbia and Brookshire Royal expected to battle things out at the top of the district. Sweeny, who made big strides a year ago should be back into the playoffs, while tradition-rich LaMarque expects to benefit in a major way from this new alignment as the Cougars will be back into the post-season. The two charter schools who are new to UIL football are expected to struggle.

Bellville looks primed for another deep playoff run as the Brahmas return six offensive starters, including two highly productive backs, but BHS will need to replace eight on the defensive side of the ball, if the young defense matures they will be a contender to advance to Arlington. Madisonville is a real sleeper to do some damage as well, while expect Sealy to be much-improved under second year head coach Clint Finley. La Grange and Giddings are expected to be locked in  a very tight race for the final playoff spot.

4A-Division II’s version of the “district of doom” is without question 12-4A Division II, where all six teams are playoff caliber squads. China Spring, which won back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022 gets the early nod over a La Vega squad that returns an impressive sixteen starters. Lorena, a state champion at the 3A-Division I level in 2021 makes the jump back to 4A after a regional final appearance a year ago. Waco Connally is always among the most talented teams in the state and they are coming off an area round appearance, along with Gatesville. Robinson brings back fifteen starters from a surprise playoff team in 2023. Two of these teams will miss the playoffs!! 

DISTRICT PREDICTIONS

District 9-4A Division II

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

District 10-4A Division II

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

District 11-4A Division II

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

District 12-4A Division II

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

PROJECTED BI-DISTRICT MATCHUPS

W9 Hamshire-Fannett vs F10 Sweeny

R12 Waco La Vega vs T11 Sealy

W10 Brookshire Royal vs F9 Silsbee

R11 Madisonville vs T12 Lorena

W11 Bellville vs F12 Waco Conally

R10 West Columbia vs T9 West Orange-Stark

W12 China Spring vs F11 La Grange

R9 Jasper vs T10 La Marque

REGIONAL CHAMPION

Bellville over Waco La Vega