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MOVING DAY: How does UIL Realignment change the dynamics of SETX?
Port Neches-Groves is the undisputable king of Southeast Texas football.
So, where do they fit after realignment?
The Indians move to District 8-5A DII, which is a TOUGH district with the likes of Hunstville and Lake Creek, who they beat in the Regional Finals and Semis last Fall. Southeast Texas counterparts Nederland and Dayton will also be heading West to round out the district with Splendora, Montgomery and new school West Fork.
District 9-5A DI is a bus trip nightmare, especially for a Tuesday night volleyball game. Beaumont United, West Brook, Port Arthur-Memorial and Barbers Hill will be travelling to Angleton, Galveston Ball and Baytown Sterling.
In District 10-4A DI, Bridge City, Hardin-Jefferson, Huffman-Hargrave, Liberty, Livingston, Lumberton, Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Vidor make up a close-knit district. Lumberton is a program on the rise, while LC-M could also be a power in this conference.
District 9-4A DII is a blood-bath with former state-power West Orange-Stark and talents Jasper and Silsbee leading the way with Hamshire-Fannett, Tarkington and Shepherd looking to challenge.
Kirbyville and East Chambers lead District 10-3A DI. Orangefield will welcome a new head coach. Anahuac, Buna, Hardin and Coldspring-Oakhurst round out the district. Coldspring is the move-in as Tarkington moves out.
In District 12-3A DII, it will be a battle between Kountze, Newton, Trinity, Warren, Woodville, Anderson-Shiro, New Waverly. Newton won the district and reached the Regional Finals, followed by Anderson-Shiro and New Waverly. Coach Drew Johnston has a power-program rolling at Newton.
Lovelady moves out of District 12-2A DI, opening the door to Deweyville, Evadale and Hull Daisetta. This has turned into a big district, however, as Colmesneil, West Hardin, West Sabine and Sabine Pass round out the district.
UIL Realignment around the Metroplex
Widely discussed and highly anticipated, the UIL realignment rang through Texas on February 1, 2024. With changes and shifts, plenty of teams were left dodging tough placements while others faced a fate not as generous. VYPE DFW takes a look at the shake-up around Dallas-Fort Worth area teams:
Dodging one of the toughest districts in the state (District 11-6A), often referred to as the "District of Doom" is Mansfield ISD. Instead, the Mansfield ISD teams join District 3-6A alongside Crowley, Fort Worth Boswell, North Crowley, and Weatherford.
Additionally, Dallas ISD made out well with their goal of entering a two-district DISD-only schedule. In District 8-4AI is Dallas Carter, Dallas Conrad, Dallas Hutchins, Dallas Kimball, Dallas Lincoln, Dallas Pinkston, Dallas Roosevelt, and North Dallas while District 5-5AII hosts Adamson, Hillcrest, Thomas Jefferson, Samuell, Seagoville, South Oak Cliff, Spruce, and Woodrow Wilson. With Conrad and Kimball moving to 4A, fans should expect South Oak Cliff to overpower their schedule for the next two seasons.
Kennedale and Lake Worth are headed for new competition as they head to a significantly smaller district for the next couple of years. Leaving a Fort Worth-heavy district, the two teams join District 6-4AI alongside Carrollton Ranchview, Lake Worth, River Oaks Castleberry, and Waxahachie Life.
The newest team in the state joins District 4-5AII against a reigning state champion, a reigning state semifinalist, and a reigning regional finalist. With a booming start to the season last year, the Wildcats join some of the toughest teams in the state with other 5A newcomers like Anna and Melissa. These teams look at playing against the likes of Denison, Frisco Emerson, Frisco Independence, Frisco Liberty, Frisco Memorial, and Lucas Lovejoy.
In what could be considered the most competitive 5A division, Grapevine and Colleyville Heritage join Division 3-5AII where they will face off against Mansfield Timberview, Mansfield Summit, Everman, and two-time state champion Argyle.
Forney and Longview move up from 5A to 6A as they join District 10-6A. The 2023 state semifinalist (Forney) will join a district in which they face off against other powerhouses in their area like Rockwall (who went 6-0 in district play last season) and Rockwall-Heath (who went 5-1 in district play) as well as North Forney, Royse City, and Tyler Legacy.
With plenty more shifts in districts left to discuss, there will be a lot of discussion as schedules fill. Fans can expect high competition throughout the next two seasons. Keep your eyes peeled for huge plays and high-stakes moments!