UIL realignment doesn’t create winners and losers, but it does create different paths. Some programs benefit from geography, enrollment trends or competitive balance, while others now face steeper climbs due to travel or district depth.
After re-alignment was released 24 hours ago, I had a chance to dig deeper into each district. Here are some teams that came out on top, while others didn't fare so well.
Advantage: Aledo
After dominating 5A for as long as I can remember, the Bearcats move up to 6A. They were very worried about having to go out way out west for district play, but instead land in a district that went a combined 26-45, with their furthest district game being in Arlington.
Tough Break: North Crowley / Crowley
These two teams basically dropped the worst teams from their district, kept the best (such as Lake Ridge who went 9-3 last season) and then added teams like Duncanville and Waxahachie. The new district of doom is born.
Advantage: Dripping Springs
This past season Dripping Springs was in the same district as both Westlake and Lake Travis, which is never fun. Now their toughest opponent is Austin Bowie, who went 6-5 last season.
Tough Break: New Braunfels
Sure you lose state champ Smithson Valley from district play, but you gain the likes of Alamo Heights (12-2), Boerne (13-2) and Liberty Hill (9-3).
Advantage: Port Neches Grove
Geographically it’s a win for PNG and they should rule the district as well. Only two teams won more than five games last season, with both going 6-4 (Baytown Lee and Santa Fe).
Tough Break: Burleson Centennial
The Spartans finished third in district last season, but now they keep Midlothian (who beat them 35-6) and add the likes of DeSoto, Lancaster, Cedar Hill and a couple of Mansfield teams. Ouch.
Advantage: DeSoto
They officially make the move down to 5A from 6A, leaving behind Duncanville and Waxahachie. While competition will still be fierce in the playoffs, history shows they’re up to the challenge.
Tough Break: Early
The Longhorns move up From Class 3A DII to DI. Last season their district opponents went a combined 20-32, with only two teams finishing above .500. Their new five-team district features two top 10 teams in Llano and Wall, plus Ingram Moore who finished 7-6.
Advantage: Comanche
The Indians said goodbye to Class 3A DI and found themselves in a Region with no king of the hill, as Gunter has moved up. The eight-team district features three schools with winning records, but state champion Hamilton (who moved up from 2A) loses a lot.
Tough Break: Fort Bend Dulles / Friendswood
After going 0-10 last season in 6A, the FBD moves down. Unfortunately for them they move down to a district that has Angleton, Iowa Colony and Richmond Randle. As for Friendswood (Gerry Hamilton’s alma mater), they are used to playing Angleton, but the competition got even tougher adding the schools mentioned above.