The Class 5A playoffs kick-off this week and Houston area teams will have a tough road to "Jerry World." Shadow Creek, Manvel, Fort Bend Marshall and New Caney are the favorites but don't sleep on Barbers Hill and Friendswood.

Let's take a look at the brackets.

CLASS 5A DI, REGION III

New Caney has impressed on both sides of the ball. What a first-round matchup vs Foster, but they will get by the Falcons by getting a few more stops on defense.

Shadow Creek will run past PA Memorial before facing a tough 8-1 Hutto squad. On the bottom part of the bracket, Friendswood should beat Kingwood Park before facing off against a very tough Cedar Park. That will likely be the end of the road for the 'Stangs.

Porter vs Hightower will be a battle of opposites. The 'Canes do it with defense and the Spartans try and outscore their opponents. Hightower played a tough district slate and are more battle-tested, but it will be close. The winner gets Dripping Springs or Manor – both are salty.m

Early prediction in Class 5A DI, Region III is that Shadow Creek faces Cedar Park in the Regional Finals.

In Region II, Magnolia West has a banged up QB and will be short-handed against a 9-1 McKinney North squad. The 'Stangs will need an upset to advance. Magnolia should beat Poteet with their power run game, but would face three-time defending champ Highland Park in Round Two.

CLICK HERE to See the Bracket

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CLASS 5A DII, REGION III

In Class 5A DII, Region III, Crosby will start-off with Willowridge. The Eagles have been scrappy all season, flirting with the Top 10 in a tough district. Willowridge will advance to play Marshall High School.

Fort Bend Marshall faces the legendary Port Neches-Groves Indians. The Buffs are too much and have state title thoughts on their mind. A&M Consolidated with be their next round opponent and the winner will likely advance to the Regional Semis.

On the bottom part of the bracket -- Manvel will scoot past Nederland, while Lamar Consolidated will barely advance against Lindale. Barbers Hill is going to have to stop Frank Brown III of Sterling, who is a "Magic Man" with the ball in his hands. The Eagles will advance to play upstart Paetow. Manvel should come out of this side to the Regional Semis.

Follow us week-to-week to see if our predictions are on point.

CLICK HERE to See the Bracket