The Brownwood Lions are projected to return to the Class 4A Division II playoffs this fall, with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picking the team to finish third in District 13 and face Lago Vista in the opening round.
The projections, released August 6 by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football and reported by KOXE Local Sports, place Brownwood behind Waco La Vega and Robinson in the district standings. The Lions entered the preseason ranked No. 24 and were also projected to finish third in the district a year ago, though they ultimately placed second.
How the district is projected to finish
The forecast keeps Gatesville ahead of Salado for the district’s fourth and final playoff berth. Waco Connally is projected to round out the district and is described as a team with a wide range of potential under new head coach Willie Carter.
DCTF said Brownwood is expected to improve in the second year under head coach Jeryl Brixey. The district also includes two highly ranked contenders: No. 3 Waco La Vega and No. 10 Robinson.
“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 the district.”
According to the projection, La Vega returns 17 starters, including three-year starting quarterback Kourtney Parr. Robinson was described as having one of the state’s top playmakers in TCU commit and quarterback Brice McCurdy, with the team’s postseason prospects potentially depending on its defense.
Projected playoff path
If the projection holds, Brownwood would meet District 14’s runner-up, Lago Vista, in the bi-district round. A Lions victory would set up a second-round matchup with either District 15 champion Cuero or District 16’s fourth seed, Corpus Christi London.
DCTF selected La Vega to defeat Cuero for the regional championship. Its projected District 14 order is Wimberley, Lago Vista, Manor New Tech and Giddings. District 15 is projected to finish with Cuero, Gonzales, Geronimo Navarro and Bandera, while District 16 is projected to include Rockport-Fulton, Port Isabel, Kingsville King and Corpus Christi London in that order.
Brownwood’s road to the season opener
The Lions will begin preparations with a scrimmage against Brock on Thursday, August 13. Brownwood is scheduled to travel to Alvarado for its final scrimmage Thursday, August 20, before opening the regular season Friday, August 28, at Abilene Wylie.
Brownwood enters the season after posting a 7-5 record in 2025 and winning its fourth consecutive bi-district championship. The new projections offer an early view of the road ahead, but the district standings and playoff matchups will ultimately be decided on the field.