West Plains Football Coach Adam Cummings, left, and Principal Eric Gomez look over the district packet during the 2022-2024 UIL Realignment at the Region 16 building on Thursday. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
A number of Texas Panhandle Head Coaches made the trip to the Region 16 building in Amarillo for the highly anticipated 2022-2024 UIL Realignment on Thursday morning.
The UIL releases cutoff numbers in December giving football coaches a look at which classification and division they’ll fall in, but until this first Thursday in February every two years there is always surprises when it comes to who falls into the districts.
Canyon ISD’s new West Plains High School took a big leap into reality landing in District 2-4A Division II with Borger, Levelland, Perryton and Seminole.
“It got a little more real,” West Plains Head Coach Adam Cummings said. “To get our official district, and know who we’re going to be facing makes it a lot more real now. We’re excited about this and can’t wait to get going.”
District 2-5A Division I almost came out as expected with Amarillo High, Caprock, Lubbock-Cooper, Lubbock Coronado, Lubbock Monterey, and Tascosa. However, the UIL moved Abilene High west making it a seven team district instead of sending the Eagles to the Metroplex. When it comes to Class 5A Division I, powerhouse program’s, Denton Ryan, and Aledo also joined out of District 3-5A.
“I anticipated Abilene High coming in,” Tascosa Head Coach Ken Plunk said. “Abilene is stuck in between us and the Dallas region, so I’m not real surprised. Denton Ryan is a state champion from two years ago. We all know how good they are. Aledo has won state titles in Division II. This is now a very difficult region, but it makes for intriguing matchups.”
Palo Duro Head Football Coach Eric Mims looks to schedule games during during the 2022-2024 UIL Realignment at the Region 16 building on Thursday. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
As expected Palo Duro is Class 5A Division II. The Dons replace Randall in District 2-5A, along with Abilene Cooper, Abilene Wylie, Lubbock High, Plainview, and Wichita Falls Rider.
“It’s a tough district,” Palo Duro Head Coach Eric Mims said. Wichita Falls Rider is a top 10 team, and Abilene Cooper is always a top 10 team. Our biggest difference is getting used to the travel, but we look forward to playing in this district.”
With the opening of West Plains High School, Randall moves into District 3-4A Division I, adding to a very competitive league built around rival Canyon, Dumas, Hereford and Pampa.
Defending Class 2A Division II state champion Stratford was another team that made a move. The Elks jumped to Class 2A Division I, and will be in District 1-2A Division I with Highland Park, which dropped from Class 3A, Farwell, Sanford-Fritch, and West Texas High.