SAN ANGELO, TX-- By this time next week, new districts will have been revealed by the University Interscholastic League for the 2018 and 2019 athletic seasons.
Christoval, Eldorado, Grape Creek, and Lake View will move down a classification in this realignment. Lake View will move from 5A to 4A while the other three will move from Division 1 to Division 2 in 2A and 3A.
I put out a realignment look over a month ago. Now with more research and insight from sources here's a more informed look at the possible 2018-19 realignment.
District 2-6A
- Central
- Abilene
- Amarillo Tascosa
- Odessa
- Odessa Permian
- Midland
- Midland Lee
- Wolfforth Frenship
Everyone throughout the state feel "the Little Southwest Conference" will stay together. That makes the most sense out here in west Texas where 6A schools are limited. However, those same people feel Abilene will stay in their district with North Crowley, the Keller schools, and Fort Worth Paschal. While that is a reasonable assumption, Abilene may work its way to District 2. The travel to the Fort Worth area is a nightmare for a school like Abilene.
District 4-4A D1
- Lake View
- Brownwood
- Gatesville
- Lampasas
- Stephenville
- Waco La Vega
Lake View's move in classification will more than likely put them in one of the tougher districts in the state. Stephenville was a State Semifinalist in 2017. Brownwood and Lampasas have been good historically and Waco La Vega won State two years ago. In the earlier publication I thought Big Spring could end up in this district. That could still be the case with Andrews taking Big Spring's spot in District 2. The question that the UIL will be presented with will be where do you put La Vega if you do put Big Spring in District 4? Do you keep La Vega and make it a seven team district with nightmarish travel for Big Spring if they have to go to La Vega. However, I don't think Big Spring will slide in to District 4.
District 2-3A D1
- Wall
- Kermit
- Tornillo
- Denver City
- Slaton
- Shallowater
A lot of people have been telling me this is how Wall's district will shake out come Feb. 1. Despite the travel, it makes the most sense to put them in with the Lubbock area. That is, except for the border town of Tornillo. Had Crane and Grape Creek not dropped down to Division 2, the district would not look much different from Wall's 2017 district. You could take a team like Eastland or Tuscola Jim Ned from District 3 and put them in District 2 with Slaton or Shallowater moving to District 1 with Amarillo area schools. That would leave District 3 with just five teams and the UIL would like to avoid that if possible.
District 3-3A D2
- Sonora
- Grape Creek
- Reagan County
- TLCA
- Alpine
- Anthony
- Crane
This one looks to be a sure lock, but I have been wrong in the past. Crane and Grape Creek fit this district Geographically. Anthony, up from 2A, is a stretch, but anything is a stretch when you're almost in New Mexico. This seven team district will also make for better competition. Ballinger is one of the teams from 2017 that will be moved and more than likely end up with Coleman in District 4. If Anthony somehow isn't included in this district, Ballinger will fill that void.
District 5-2A D2
- Eldorado
- Irion County
- Menard
- Iraan
- Wink
- Van Horn
District 6-2A D2
- Christoval
- Miles
- Roby
- Roscoe
- McCamey
- Tahoka
These two districts round out the 11-man teams in the Concho Valley. People have told me that Christoval would be in 5-2A. Looking at geography, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Christoval, Eldorado, Irion County, Menard and Miles in the same district. It seems like, for the most part, teams on or to the east of a line through San Angelo will be put in 6-2A. McCamey would be the only exception to that rule.
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