UIL realignment: What lies ahead for local school districts

By Editor | February 5, 2020 |

By Yelena Serrato/FHS Correspondent—

AUSTIN – Every two years, the University Interscholastic League reshuffles the deck and deals a new realignment hand for the state to abide by for the next two years. UIL adjusts classifications, divisions and districts for nearly 1400 schools across the state of Texas. UIL takes a look at two main factors during their realignment process: student enrollment and geographic proximity to decipher classification.

The 2020-2022 realignment was released on Monday, Feb. 3, for football, basketball and volleyball while district alignments for other activities will be released in the order of their seasons.

With an enrollment of 179 high school students according to UIL, Floydada will remain a part of district 2-2A-1 but their football line up this year has brought in the Tahoka Bulldogs and has moved out the Olton Mustangs to District 1-2A-1 football. “I expected most of our district remaining the same,” Scotty Bruington Floydada head football coach said. Nothing much has changed for the Floydada Whirlwinds as they will continue facing Hale Center, New Deal, Post and Sundown for the 2020 football season making it one of the “toughest districts in the state” according to Coach Bruington. Floydada will have non-district games against Tulia, Lockney, Smyer, New Home and Lubbock Roosevelt.

“Football was a curveball,” Athletic Director Stacy Ward of Lockney said. Lockney with an enrollment of 128 students, will start next season in a new region alongside Ralls and Crosbyton in conference 2A division 2 football. The Lockney Longhorns are now a part of District 5-2A where they will face two new teams, Hamlin and Roscoe Collegiate. “UIL does the best they can so we are pretty satisfied with the way things turned out.” said Athletic Director Stacy Ward. Lockney will have non-district games against Floydada and other opponents will soon be determined.

As for Whirlwind and Longhorn basketball, both schools will suit up against each other, Hale Center, New Deal and Ralls in District 4-2A. Floydada will be playing Olton, Post, Ropes and Lorenzo, Roosevelt and Littlefield in non-district games. The Post Antelopes have been assigned to District 6-2A and will no longer face Lockney or Floydada in district. The Antelopes new basketball district will consist of New Home, Ropes, Smyer and Tahoka. “I am thankful and excited for the upcoming season, we picked up a few 3A schools for non-district games who will be tough and help us prepare for district,” head basketball Coach Adam Zepeda said.

As for other local schools in our region, Plainview will stay assigned to District 3-5A-2 where they will be face Abilene Wylie, Canyon Randall, Lubbock Cooper, Wichita Falls and Wichita Falls Rider in the upcoming football season. In basketball, the Bulldogs will be competing against Amarillo High, Amarillo Caprock, Amarillo Palo Duro, Amarillo Tascosa and Canyon Randall. The Lady Bulldogs will be going against Abilene Wylie, Canyon Randall, Lubbock Cooper, Wichita Falls and Wichita Falls Rider in the 2020 volleyball season.

In Class 1A Division 1 football, Valley stays put in District 1-1A-1 with Claude, Happy, McLean and White Deer. In basketball, the Valley Patriots will be in district 2-1A along with Claude, Groom, Hedley, Silverton and White Deer. Lorenzo and Petersburg will suit up against Springlake Earth, Kress and Nazareth next year in football and the Motley County Matadors, who finished second in the state for 1A district 7 6-man football last season, will compete against Afton Patton Springs, Guthrie, Jayton and Southland next year.

Schools may discuss scheduling possible games beginning on February 3rd, but cannot actually contract until February 26th. District schedules cannot be finalized and official until the alignment is finished.

To the teams in our region, best of luck next season and take these wise words from Athletic Director Stacy Ward of Lockney with you, “week in and week out, go out and play.”