The big question surrounding Class 4A Region III is one that will likely linger on until late November when the playoffs are in full swing. Which team is the one that wants to take the reins of the region by storm and standout above the rest? Gone from the region is Alvin Manvel, who is now in Class 5A. Gone is La Marque and Houston Yates, who have both dropped down to the Class 3A ranks. The overall consensus points to the Pearland Dawason Eagles as the region's big favorite. Big time rusher James White is back for the Eagles along with an experienced line and the memory of a trip to the state semifinals last year to boot.
Among the contenders in the region, Angleton, Dayton, Brenham and Rosenbery Terry are also considered among the teams with biggest opportunity to lay claim to the title of front runner. Angleton is looking to it leadership on the offensive side of the ball with QB T.J. Austin and RB Richard Cooper to pile up the yards behind a solid offensive line. The speed of the Wildcats could help get this team to further heights in sooner rather than later. For Dayton, a loaded defense and solid collection of skill players could be the answer they are looking for in 2012.
Much like Dayton, the Brenham Cubs, do not have a household star that will immediately stand out before the season. And much like Dayton, the roster is full of players that are very capable making a name for themselves and playing their hearts out. Their names as individuals will be known, but as a team, they are focused on the ultimate prize. And then there is a team like Rosenberg Terry, which could very easily find itself as a potenital front runner in the region as well as a darkhorse for a state title run. QB Antoine Arboleda will have a wide variety of options to chose from as highly recruited WR Derrick Griffin returns alongside RB Eugene Wright, who could be in for a breakout season.
If there are a few darkhorses from within the region. There are quite a few that fit the bill quite nicely. Houston Stratford, Humble Summer Creek, Fort Bend Marshall and Port Neches-Groves are four of those teams one can place in that darkhorse category. Fort Bend Marshall has an experienced offensive line with Maurice Porter and Darius Moore while Deon Hollins and Darion Bevel looking crank up the defense for the Buffaloes. Staying in the district, Houston Stratford could have a team that ends up being every bit as dangerous as Dayton and Brenham if they grow into consistent improvement as the season goes along. Players like QB Travis Hanes and DE Jake Soltis will be counted on as a key to the Spartans' success. The Week 6 contest between the Spartans and Buffaloes could ultimately show who ready to move up the ladder of darkhorses.
For Port Neches-Groves, the road though district and the region has not been quite as easy for them over the years, but that hasn't stopped the Indians from reaching some very respectable success either. The same thing can be assessed to this year's Indian squad. Once again, Brandon Faircloth's team finds itself in a highly competitive district with Nederland, Vidor, Ozen and Livingston and looking around a jam-packed region. While the defense shows some promise, the offense will need to step up if the Indians intend to make the region take notice of them.
If realignment did any team a huge favor, it would be the Bulldogs of Humble Summer Creek in 19-4A. The Bulldogs have an opportunity to challenge the Dayton Broncos at the top of the district and if they can hang with them, the sky is the limit to what this team can do. Junior QB Aaron Sharp is one of the state's most highly touted prospects out of the 2014 class and has shown improvement as a starter in both his freshman and sophomore seasons. His wide receiver target De'Quan Ruffin could be in for a monster season too. Over on defense, the Bulldogs could have one of the best linebacker cores in the region with Josh Williams and Dakota Allen on the attack. The Bulldogs won't face Dayton until the final week of the season, which could be the perect playoff tune up for both squads. |
1 |
Pearland Dawson |
2 |
Angleton |
3 |
Dayton |
4 |
Brenham |
5 |
Rosenberg Terry |
6 |
Nederland |
7 |
Houston Stratford |
8 |
Humble Summer Creek |
9 |
Pflugerville Connally |
10 |
Montgomery |
11 |
Port Neches-Groves |
12 |
FB Marshall |
13 |
Friendswood |
14 |
Crosby |
15 |
Vidor |
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