BEST KEPT SECRET: Lamar CISD quietly filling trophy case

What is the best district in the city of Houston, athletically?

Katy ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Humble ISD... Conroe ISD?

Have you ever heard of Lamar Consolidated ISD in Richmond-Rosenberg? Probably not.

The Randle Lions knocked off state power South Oak Cliff in the Class 5A DII State Title Game, 38-35, in Arlington, Texas to capture the school’s first title since opening three short years ago, under the direction of coach Brian Randle. Does the name sound familiar? Coach Randle is the son of Dr. Randle, the district's former superintendent, whom the school is named after.

Fulshear volleyball advanced to the Class 6A DI State Title Game against back-to-back champ Grand Oaks High School, while the Foster girls water polo reached the State Finals this fall. The boys reached the State Semis.

In its first year of 6A football, the Fulshear Chargers fell to Atascocita in the Regional Semis, while the Randle girls' basketball team reached the State Final Four in 2024.

“We have had a really good year,” LCISD athletic director Devin Gabbert said. “It’s always great to win a State Championship, especially over a perennial power in football like South Oak Cliff. For a school like Randle that is so new, it gives them an identity... something to hang their hat on.

"Credit to those coaches and kids. Every week, you could see their confidence building. It’s hard for those kids to realize what they really accomplished. As a district, Lamar CISD is one the best-kept secrets in Houston.”

The district has grown exponentially with originals Lamar Consolidated, BF Terry and Foster. George Ranch, Fulshear and newcomer Randle have come on-line since 2010 and new school Tomas will soon open. An eighth school is on the slate north of Fulshear.

That makes eight schools sharing one football stadium…. ONE. After a failed bond in 2022, seven schools will play at one district stadium, including a State Champ for now.

“It’s a great mix of talent, coaches and tradition,” Grand Oaks coach Shaun McDowell said, who used to be the head coach of Foster. “The area is just having growing pains because of the rapid growth. The facilities need to catch up.”

For now, Lamar CISD will continue to do more with less in an ever-growing high school arms race that is only getting more competitive.

The question is, for how long?

That is what makes Randle’s feat so impressive.