The Perryton Rangers are one of only two Class 4A Division II teams in the Texas Panhandle. [David Erickson/ For Press Pass Sports]
Scarce.
That’s the adjective most commonly used when talking about Class 4A schools in the Amarillo-area. There aren’t many of them.
Anyone that follows realignment has to feel for the UIL when they look at this area and try make shift districts together. It’s by far the most difficult of all the classifications.
Fortunately, Division I sets itself if the UIL decides to keep its four-team format. Canyon, Dumas, Hereford and Pampa has turned into one of the strongest and most competitive districts over the past two years.
Things get tricky in Division II. With the loss of Dalhart, that leaves only Borger and Perryton as the only two schools in the Texas Panhandle. Lubbock Estacado looked like a sure move to Division I before the numbers were released, but the UIL did what they do best and shocked the state with a massive jump in the Division I numbers. With that said, it looks as if Estacado and Levelland will join the north schools for a four-team district. The wildcard is Snyder. The Tigers are in no man’s land, and could come north to make a five-team or stay south.
Here’s how I see it playing out Monday.
UIL 2020-21 & 2021-22 Conference cutoff numbers
Conference 4A
515-1,209 202 schools
Division I
865-1,209 92 schools
Division II
515-864 92 schools
Division I
District 2-4
Andrews
Big Spring
Fort Stockton
San Angelo Lake View
District 3-4A
Canyon
Dumas
Hereford
Pampa
Division II
District 2-4A
Borger
Estacado
Levelland
Perryton
Snyder
District 3-4A
Midland Greenwood
Monahans
Pecos
Seminole
Sweetwater