IOWA COLONY, TX — For the past several seasons, when the Randle Lions and Iowa Colony Pioneers met on the football field, fans knew they were in for a battle.

These two programs have developed one of the more compelling young rivalries in Texas Class 5A football. Their meetings have produced dramatic finishes, overtime battles, and postseason matchups with championship implications. On more than one occasion, the road toward a state title has brought these two programs face-to-face.

But Friday night at Alvin ISD's Freedom Field, the rivalry took a dramatically different turn.

Behind a spectacular performance from standout running back Landen Williams-Callis and a relentless defensive effort, the Richmond Randle Lions dismantled the Iowa Colony Pioneers 49–7, remaining undefeated and sending another message across the Texas Class 5A Division I landscape.

A Rivalry Entering a New Chapter

Having covered multiple meetings between these programs, both during the regular season and in the playoffs, I've witnessed firsthand just how competitive this matchup has become.

In previous encounters, the difference between victory and defeat often came down to a single possession. Several of those games weren't decided until the closing moments of the fourth quarter or overtime.

But the 2026 edition featured two programs in very different positions.

Iowa Colony entered the season facing significant roster changes following another graduating class and the departures of key contributors, including All-American quarterback Carson White, who transferred to Fort Bend Hightower, and longtime starting offensive tackle Noah Smith.

For a relatively young school that has only recently begun establishing its football tradition, replacing that level of experience and talent presents a considerable challenge.

The Pioneers are developing a new generation of players, many of whom are gaining valuable varsity experience against some of the state's toughest competition.

Randle, meanwhile, arrived at Freedom Field with an undefeated record, an explosive offensive attack, and one of the most dangerous running backs in Texas high school football.

The Lions weren't coming to Freedom Field simply to preserve their record. They came to make a statement.

The Lions Strike Early

The opening possessions suggested that Iowa Colony might be prepared to challenge the visitors.

Both offenses initially struggled to establish rhythm, exchanging possessions while the Pioneers showed no signs of intimidation.

With 8:43 remaining in the opening quarter, Iowa Colony took possession deep in its own territory with the game still scoreless.

But the momentum would soon shift dramatically.

Randle's Landen Williams-Callis broke through for the game's opening touchdown, giving the Lions a 7–0 advantage with 7:14 remaining in the first quarter.

Minutes later, Randle struck again, extending its lead to 14–0 with 4:02 remaining.

For a rivalry traditionally defined by tight margins, the early separation was significant. And the Lions were only getting started.

Williams-Callis Takes Over

The second quarter belonged to Randle.

Williams-Callis, wearing No. 1, demonstrated exactly why he has become one of the most talked-about offensive weapons in Texas high school football.

His combination of acceleration, vision, balance, and explosive speed created problems for the Iowa Colony defense throughout the first half.

After Randle extended its lead to 21–0, a costly Iowa Colony fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave the Lions another opportunity.

They wasted little time capitalizing.

On the very next offensive play, Williams-Callis hauled in a touchdown reception, pushing the advantage to 28–0 with 11:21 remaining in the second quarter.

The Lions continued to attack.

Williams-Callis added another rushing touchdown, and then came one of the defining plays of the night.

Starting deep in Randle territory, the standout running back broke loose on a spectacular long-distance touchdown run, racing downfield and leaving the defense behind.

The score pushed Randle's advantage to 42–0 with 2:48 remaining before halftime.

By that point, the Lions had transformed what many expected to be another tightly contested rivalry matchup into a commanding first-half performance.

According to MaxPreps, Williams-Callis finished the night with 201 rushing yards on 17 carries, 44 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns.

His 245 yards from scrimmage demonstrated the kind of versatility that makes him dangerous whether carrying the football or catching it out of the backfield.

For Randle, his impact extends beyond the statistics. His ability to turn a routine offensive snap into an explosive touchdown forces opposing defenses to account for him on every possession.

Iowa Colony Refuses to Fold

Despite the growing deficit, the Pioneers continued competing.

Quarterback Izard Evans attempted to generate offense through the passing game, including a deep completion that appeared to produce a 73-yard touchdown before a holding penalty erased the score.

It was the kind of play that illustrated both Iowa Colony's potential and the frustration of a young team struggling to establish consistency.

The Pioneers eventually found the scoreboard through their defense.

With 1:25 remaining in the second quarter, Iowa Colony's No. 10, Dylan Thomas, recovered a Randle fumble and returned it for a touchdown.

The extra point was successful, cutting the deficit to 42–7 heading into halftime.

Although the scoreboard reflected a lopsided contest, Iowa Colony continued showing flashes of the competitive spirit that has helped establish the program's identity.

Randle's Defense Closes the Door

Randle's offense understandably attracted much of the attention, but the Lions' defensive performance was equally important.

The Pioneers struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack, finishing with just 63 rushing yards.

Iowa Colony quarterback Izard Evans completed 10 of 25 passes for 90 yards, while the Lions' defense repeatedly disrupted drives and limited opportunities for sustained offensive production.

The third quarter brought Randle's final touchdown when quarterback Jamir Young connected with Keelan Allen on a 15-yard scoring pass.

With the extra point, the Lions extended their advantage to 49–7 with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter.

Randle quarterback Brady Bratcher also delivered an efficient performance, completing 10 of 15 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lions finished with 538 yards of offense, including 322 rushing yards and 216 passing yards.

Even with the game effectively decided, Iowa Colony continued searching for offensive opportunities.

The Pioneers moved into Randle territory during the second half, including a fourth-quarter drive that reached deep into the Lions' red zone.

But the Randle defense refused to surrender another score.

A fourth-quarter interception by Julian Gerena and a late sack by Jael Benard highlighted a defensive unit that continued competing until the final whistle.

A Different Look, but the Rivalry Remains

For Iowa Colony, the 49–7 defeat represents a difficult chapter in a program still building its identity.

The Pioneers have enjoyed remarkable success in a relatively short period, developing into a program capable of competing with some of the best teams in Texas.

But sustaining that success requires replacing graduating talent, developing younger players, and adapting when experienced contributors move on.

Friday night's game exposed some of those growing pains.

Yet one result does not erase what Iowa Colony has accomplished, nor does it determine what this young roster may become.

For Randle, the victory offered further evidence that the Lions possess the talent and depth to compete at an elite level.

Their offensive versatility, explosive playmaking, and defensive discipline were on full display.

And with Williams-Callis continuing to produce at an extraordinary level, the Lions have a weapon capable of changing a game on any given snap.

By the Numbers

Standout Performers

Randle Lions

• Landen Williams-Callis: 201 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards, 4 total touchdowns.
• Brady Bratcher: 176 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns.
• Kamar Chavez-Brown: 90 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns.
• Jamir Young: 42 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown and 1 passing touchdown.
• Keelan Allen: 70 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
• Julian Gerena: Fourth-quarter interception.

Iowa Colony Pioneers

• Izard Evans: 90 passing yards.
• Braylon Watts: 61 receiving yards.
• J. Boutte: 47 rushing yards.
• Dylan Thomas: Fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

Statistics provided by MaxPreps. Game observations and reporting by GameDay Sports Journal.

What's Next?

Randle improves to 6–0 and will face the Pasadena Eagles on Thursday, October 15, looking to maintain its undefeated season and continue its push through District 11-5A Division I competition.

Iowa Colony falls to 2–5 and will prepare for a matchup against Victoria East as the Pioneers look to regroup and finish the season strong.

For Randle, the message coming out of Freedom Field was unmistakable.

And as the Texas high school football season moves deeper into district competition, Randle is making it increasingly difficult for anyone to ignore what is happening in Richmond.

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