New Districts Create New Rivalries
High school football fans in the Big Country will need to make sure their GPS is working this fall because they are going to be traveling to some new places.
No Big Country teams changed classifications when the University Interscholastic League announced its biennial realignment and reclassification in February. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some major shifting in schedules.
Because the UIL creates separate Division I and II districts in each classification in football, many schools find themselves in new districts with new opponents.
Maybe one of the most significant changes is Stamford, a state runner-up in Class 2A Division I just two years ago, is dropping to Division II and will join another perennial power in Albany in District 7-2A Division II.
The Bulldogs are just one of a number of football teams dropping from Division I to Division II in their respective classifications.
Brownwood drops to District 13-4A Division II, which means it will now be in all-new Waco-area district.
Clyde, Sweetwater and Jim Ned will now turn their buses to the west to join Kermit, Lamesa and Odessa Compass Academy in the new District 2-3A Division I.
Breckenridge and Merkel will head north in an all-new District 4-3A Division II with four Wichita Falls area schools. Comanche is dropping in Class 3A Division II and will join Eastland in District 5-3A Division II with new opponents Clifton, Dublin, Hamilton, Millsap, Rio Vista and Tolar.
Early will head south in an all-new District 3-3A Division I that includes defending state champion Wall.
Coleman and Bangs will go south in District 7-2A Division I that includes Brady, Johnson City, Mason and San Saba. Meanwhile, Haskell will travel north in a new District 6-2A Division II with Electra, Munday, Petrolia, Seymour and Windthorst.
Teams to Watch This Fall
One thing that hasn’t changed is Denney Faith heading up the Albany football program. Faith is beginning his 40th season as the head Lion, leading his team to back-to-back state championships in 2022 and 2023. He ranks fifth among the all-time winningest football coaches in Texas history.
Keep an eye on Cisco this fall. The Loboes bring back seven starters on offense and eight on defense from a team that reached the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals a year ago.
In volleyball, where the UIL doesn’t separate teams into separate District I and II districts prior to the playoffs, there are only a few minor changes in district alignments. One team to keep an eye on is Abilene Wylie. The Lady Bulldogs return five starters from a team that won 34 games and advanced to the Class 5A Division II regional semifinals.
The Season Ahead
With so many changes this year, it will be interesting to see what teams will step up to make deep postseason runs. It should be a fun but unpredictable year for Big Country high school football and volleyball teams, and our sixth annual Varsity Preview magazine will hopefully get you ready for the upcoming season.
– Al Pickett
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