Reg. 3 Top 10 Reg. 3 Super Team Offense Reg. 3 Super Team Defense 1. North Shore (#8, 21-5A)* 2. FB Hightower (#12, 23-5A)* 3. Aldine Eisenhower (#13, 19-5A)* 4. Katy (#14, 17-5A) 5. Pearland (#16, 22-5A) 6. Humble (#21, 19-5A) 7. Beaumont West Brook (#25, 21-5A) 8. Deer Park (22-5A) 9. Pasadena Memorial (22-5A) 10. Houston Lamar (20-5A) Next three in…Cinco Ranch, Stratford, Dickinson * Div. 1 District Strength Ratings: 1. 21-5A 2. 18-5A 3. 22-5A 4. 19-5A 5. 17-5A 6. 24-5A 7. 23-5A 8. 20-5A   QB A.J. Highsmith, FB Hightower QB Christian Louis, Beaumont West Brook RB Kasey Carrier, Pearland RB Christine Michael, Beaumont West Brook WR Greg Timmons, Aldine Eisenhower WR Jazz Reynolds, Aldine Eisenhower WR Jordan Jolly, FB Elkins WR Ryan Grant, Beaumont West Brook TE Barrett Matthews, North Shore OL Ivory Wade, Dickinson OL Cameron Travis, Katy OL Travis Swanson, Kingwood OL Michael Schraub, Cinco Ranch OL Trey Hopkins, North Shore (Jr.) DL Terrence Lloyd, Stratford DL Dantrayal Smith, Pearland DL Michael Brockers, Hou. Chavez DL Steven Barrera, Clear Lake DL Raydermon Scypion, PA Memorial LB Taylor Reed, Beau. West Brook LB Daniel Salinas, North Shore LB Tomas Luna, FB Hightower LB Shaun Lewis, FB Hightower (Jr.) LB Jourdan Brogdon, Pearland DB Marcus Davis, Clear Creek DB Craig Loston, Aldine Eisenhower DB Colton Valencia, FB Hightower DB Michael Ratterree, Hou. Memorial K Dustin Hopkins, Clear Lake K Jake Kane, FB Hightower (Jr.) Realignment Highlights           The biggest change moved the Cypress district to Region 2 (15-5A).  Katy ISD now has its own district (17-5A) with the addition of Seven Lakes.  The Humble schools moved back in with Aldine in 19-5A.  These two areas formed a traditional pairing in the 90s, and are a natural geographical fit.  North Shore was moved from 22-5A to 21-5A with the Baytown schools, West Brook, Channelview and PA Memorial.  Pearland took the Mustangs’ place in 22-5A.  The Oilers were previously in 24-5A.  Dickinson, promoted from 4A, moved in to fill the spot vacated by Pearland in 24-5A.  The Fort Bend district (23-5A) is now 10 strong with the addition of new school Travis. Region Analysis           The top five teams in the region project in the Division 1 playoff field.  Humble is the highest ranking team projected in Division 2.  Humble, previously a Division 1 lock, has seen its numbers cut by the opening of Atascocita.  Katy is in the only one in the top five who could go to either playoff Division.  The Tigers’ status hinges on both Morton Ranch and Taylor missing the playoffs.  Both schools have new coaching staffs this season.  Mayde Creek and Seven Lakes turned in lower enrollments than Katy.          North Shore’s primary challenge in their new district will come from West Brook.  The Bruins are also stacked with key returning talent and have the athletic ability to match-up with North Shore.  Depth is always the issue with West Brook, and a lack of depth generally catches up with teams at this level around the third and fourth rounds of the post-season.            Pearland played North Shore closer than any other team in the region over four quarters last year.  The Oilers should be improved on offense this year, and their overall success will likely depend on how well they reload on defense.  Hightower, Eisenhower, Humble and Deer Park look evenly matched on paper and it’ll be interesting to see if a contender emerges from that group of teams.           Katy is reloading after last year’s 16-0 run, and play one of the toughest non-district slates in Texas.  If the Tigers can get efficient play from the quarterback position, Katy will be capable of contending in the region again.  Katy has advanced to at least the state quarterfinals in each of the last six seasons.          No program in the Houston area has seen its stock rise as much as Pasadena Memorial in recent seasons.  The Mavericks run a versatile spread option scheme on offense, and have shown remarkable resilience against the likes of Katy and North Shore.  Memorial is a darkhorse candidate projecting in the Division 2 field.  Cinco Ranch improving as a program, and they have the experience to challenge Katy in district play this year.  The Cougars were inexperienced last year, and then got hammered with injuries as the year progress.  If Cinco can stay healthy, they will be a difficult team to play.  Stratford is seeing its program re-emerge under the direction of Elliot Allen, and they are another darkhorse candidate to keep an eye on.  Stratford was originally dropped to 4A in the alignment, but gained readmission to 5A on appeal.  The Spartans won two playoff games for the first time since 1988 last year.           24-5A could be the tightest district race in the region.   Dickinson, and 8-3 playoff team in 4A last year, could step in and contend immediately due to their returning experience.  Clear Lake is also very experienced, and looks poised to rebound from a disappointing district showing last year.  Galveston Ball could have one of the region’s better defenses.  As many as six teams could contend for playoff spots.          North Shore is the most impressive Region 3 team on paper, but the region looks stronger overall this year thanks the returning experience of programs like Hightower, Eisenhower, Humble and West Brook.  These are traditional talent hotbeds in Region 3.  Katy challenges for the region every season, and there is also a viable threat from darkhorse teams such as Pearland, Deer Park, Pasadena Memorial, Cinco Ranch and Stratford.       Playoff Teams: *Katy, *Cinco Ranch, Mayde Creek, Seven Lakes Off MVP: RB/KR Chris West, Mayde Creek, Sr. Def MVP: DB Parker Stevens, Katy Taylor, Sr.. Most Improved Team: Seven Lakes Predicted Order of Finish: Katy Cinco Ranch Mayde Creek Seven Lakes Taylor Morton Ranch Summary:                    The inevitable happened with KISD schools getting their own district. Katy is the favorite to win the title, and Cinco Ranch is the most likely challenger. The Cougars return their entire backfield from last year.  The Cougars need to avoid the injury bug this year in order to challenge for the title.  Mayde Creek is on the rise with Lance Carter at the helm, and return several top players from last year's team. Taylor and Morton Ranch underwent coaching changes during the off-season, but could still be capable of cracking the playoff race.       Playoff Teams: Stratford, Strake Jesuit, *Alief Hastings, *Alief Taylor Off MVP: RB Rodney Anderson, Stratford, Sr. Def MVP: DE Terrence Lloyd, Stratford, Sr. Most Improved Team: Alief Taylor Predicted Order of Finish: Stratford Strake Jesuit Alief Hastings Alief Taylor Memorial Alief Elsik Spring Woods Northbrook Summary:          The top half of this district should be very competitive, and 1-4 (possibly including 5-6 also) could finish in any order. Stratford gained re-entry to 5A after first being aligned to 4A. Senior DE Terrence Lloyd is one of the top players in the Houston area. Hastings improved under new head coach Greg Alexander last season. Strake and Alief Taylor return several lettermen.  Taylor will have one of the district's top defenses and athletic Rodney Owens takes over at QB.  Strake has been highly competitive in both the Katy and Cypress districts since moving up to 5A, and are expected to compete again this season.       Playoff Teams: Eisenhower*, Humble, Kingwood, Aldine* Off MVP: WR Greg Timmons, Aldine Eisenhower, Sr. Def MVP: DB Craig Loston, Aldine Eisenhower, Sr. Most Improved Team: Kingwood Predicted Order of Finish: Eisenhower Humble Kingwood Aldine Macarthur Nimitz Atascocita Summary:           Ike, Humble and Kingwood all return several top players.  Ike and Humble are the main favorites, but Kingwood is capable of springing an upset.  Humble fielded a very young team overall, and have the quality to win this district.  The fourth playoff spot may be decided by a tie-break between Aldine, Macarthur and Nimitz.  This district should produce strong playoff teams, and potentially have two region contenders in Ike and Humble.       Playoff Teams: Lamar*, Madison, Westside*, Chavez Off MVP: RB Kalvin Guyton, Lamar, Sr. Def MVP: DE Michael Brockers, Houston Chavez, Sr. Most Improved Team: Madison Predicted Order of Finish: Lamar Madison Westside Chavez Bellaire Milby Sam Houston Summary:           Lamar returns the most experience, and is the clear pre-season favorite to win the title.  Madison and Westside should seal up two spots with the fourth being contested by Chavez and Bellaire.  Last year, no one came within 20 points of Lamar in district play.  Chavez and Bellaire have two of the top defensive end prospects in the state, Michael Brockers (Chavez) and Joseph Okafor (Bellaire, Jr).       Playoff Teams: North Shore*, West Brook*, Channelview, PA Memorial Off MVP: RB Christine Michael, West Brook, Sr. Def MVP: LB Daniel Salinas, North Shore, Sr. Most Improved Team: PA Memorial Predicted Order of Finish: North Shore West Brook Channelview PA Memorial Baytown Lee Baytown Sterling Summary:           North Shore and West Brook are heavy favorites to finish atop 21-5A.  North Shore has been the state’s most dominant district team this decade.  In fact, the Mustangs’ last district loss came in 2001 against Baytown Lee.  West Brook will field a talented team and are capable of pushing the Mustangs for first place.  Channelview, PA Memorial and Lee will decide the last two spots.        Playoff Teams: Pearland*, Deer Park*, Pasadena Memorial, South Houston Off MVP: RB Kasey Carrier, Pearland, Sr.; QB-RB Bo Snelson, Pasadena Memorial, Sr. Def MVP: LB Jourdan Brogdon, Pearland, Sr. Most Improved Team: Deer Park Predicted Order of Finish: Pearland Deer Park Pasadena Memorial South Houston La Porte Dobie Pasadena Rayburn Summary:          Pearland took North Shore’s place in this district, and the Oilers are pre-season favorites to win their new district.  However, Deer Park should mount a strong challenge and Pasadena Memorial has been on the rise lately.  The fourth spot will be up for grabs with South Houston, La Porte and Dobie the most likely to punch a playoff ticket.  Pearland and Deer Park are the top favorites, and Memorial is the prime darkhorse candidate.       Playoff Teams: Hightower*, Marshall, Clements*, Kempner Off MVP: QB A.J. Highsmith, Hightower, Sr. Def MVP: DB Colton Valencia, Hightower, Sr. Most Improved Team: Hightower Predicted Order of Finish: Hightower Marshall Clements Kempner Austin Elkins Dulles Bush Willowridge Travis Summary:           Hightower has the most experienced team in the district.  The Hurricanes return experience across the board, and are a clear pre-season favorite in this district.  Marshall and Clements changed coaches this off-season.  Clements also graduated several senior starters, so the Rangers could slip if the adjustment between a new coach and inexperienced players doesn’t happen smoothly.  This is always a very competitive district.  Outside of Hightower, the rest of the district is wide open.       Playoff Teams: Dickinson, Clear Lake*, Galveston Ball, Clear Creek* Off MVP: QB Brody Trahan, Dickinson, Sr. Def MVP: DB Marcus Davis, Clear Creek, Sr. Most Improved Team: Clear Lake Predicted Order of Finish: Dickinson Clear Lake Galveston Ball Clear Creek Brazoswood Clear Brook Alvin Clear Springs  Summary:           Dickinson moves in from 4A with an experienced and talented roster overall.  The Gators are expected to challenge for district immediately.  Clear Lake is also very experienced and could make a run at the district title.  This should be a highly competitive district.  Brazoswood and Clear Brook could certainly play their way into the playoff race.  Galveston Ball will have a top notch defense.  Alvin and Clear Springs face a challenge to break into the playoff race, but the fight for that fourth playoff spot can be crazy.