This past Thursday, Feb. 3, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) released the 2022-23 and 2023-24 tentative volleyball, basketball and football district assignments and reclassifications.
Since 1976, reclassifications of the UIL have grown from Class 4A’s approximately 1,220 students to 2,225 and more in Class 6A. District schedules cannot be officially finalized until Feb. 24.
The schools of Taylor and Hutto will see some major adjustments in district competition while Granger and Thrall will have a few updates.
Taylor retains three district foes from prior seasons in Lampasas, Burnet and Canyon Lake.
Comal Davenport and Marble Falls make up the remainder of the Ducks football district.
“Our football district is about what we expected. Back in the fall, once we saw Marble Falls was dropping to 4A, we felt like they would join our district. We did get a little relief on travel as Fredericksburg is no longer in our district,” said Taylor ISD athletic director Brandon Houston. “We had been anticipating a possible return of Boerne as a district opponent, which would have added even further to our travel woes. But, UIL put them in our neighboring district.”
With the new realignment, the Ducks have already released their 2022 schedule with homecoming undecided.
Taylor will play two scrimmages in mid-August and kick off the 2022 season at home against Gatesville. On Sept. 2 they travel to Rockdale for the recently restored rivalry match-up. Robinson comes to Taylor after the Ducks spoiled the Rockets home opener last season to end the 21-game streak. Taylor travels to Smithville on Sept. 16 to renew another old rivalry.
The Ducks conclude non-district play at home Sept. 22 against Jarrell. Taylor will play three road district games at Davenport, Lampasas and Canyon Lake. They will host Burnet and Marble Falls in district action.
Lady Ducks volleyball along with boys’ and girls’ basketball gets a major shakeup. Not one team from last season remains in Taylor’s new district — Austin Achieve, Caldwell, Giddings, La Grange, Manor New Tech and Smithville.
“We look forward to our new basketball and volleyball districts as we haven’t gone southeast in a few years. This will renew some old rivalries that we hope will continue to grow,” said Houston.
Granger drops Burton, Snook and Somerville from their schedule while adding Bremond and Chilton. Rival Bartlett along with Milano and Iola remain.
“The realignments are interesting to say the least. Many things took a shakeup that we were not expecting. However, Granger is excited about the placement of all their teams for the 2022-24 realignment process. Football wise, we are currently searching for a game as we did not expect to be placed in a six-team district,” said Granger ISD athletic director Stephen Brosch. “The breakdown of six- vs seven-team districts at the 2A-D1 and 2A-D2 level have made scrambling for a week five contest a prominent problem this year for many surrounding districts. At the end of the day, our nondistrict schedule will consist of contests that are in the best interest of our student athletes, and we look forward to solidifying these.”
Hearne and Milano exit Granger and Thrall’s volleyball and basketball district as Bartlett moves in.
Thrall’s football district changes quite a bit with Hearne, Thorndale and Holland remaining, while Flatonia, Schulenburg and Weimar take the place of Rosebud-Lott, Moody and Bruceville-Eddy.
Thrall ISD athletic director Aaron Vanecek seemed really excited about the new realignment.
“Love it. Probably the toughest 2A district in the entire state. No easy out and no clearcut leader. I cannot wait to see how our guys respond to this challenge,” said Vanecek.
Hutto, in their first Class 6A realignment, gets a complete overhaul of their district as they welcome six new teams to Hippo competition.
Hutto will now play Bryan, Copperas Cove, Killeen Harker Heights, Pflugerville Weiss, Temple and Waco Midway.
“Good teams, good matchups, lots of travel,” said Hutto ISD athletic director Brad LaPlante.
LaPlante showed some concern about the students that participate in volleyball and basketball as they play in away games.
“Tuesday night sports coming back late on the road and having kids fresh for Wednesday class is a concern,” said LaPlante.
The remaining athletic district alignments for other sports will be released no later than March 2022.
