UIL realignment could move Wharton from Region III to Region IV 3A district
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

The long-awaited and anticipated University Interscholastic League reclassification and realignment for 2008-09/2009-10 will be released at 9 a.m. Friday morning.

That's when the Texas high school governing body places high schools into five classifications according to enrollment.

There has been a lot of speculation that several 4A schools will drop to 3A to fill districts with under six teams in Region IV.

"It's just going to be a matter of what 3A district we'll be in," said Wharton Athletic Director and head football coach Gary Van Sant.

That would mean that Wharton, which is currently in Region III, 24- 3A, could possibly move into a Region IV district.

Wharton, which turned in a enrollment of 640 students, is currently grouped with Needville, Royal, Stafford, Sealy, Sweeny, Columbia and Columbus.

"We preferably would like to be in Region IV," said Van Sant.

"We'll be with some of the same people we were with."

The current classification includes 5A schools with 1,985 students and more.

Class 4A includes schools with 950-1,984 students.

Class 3A includes schools with 415-949 students.

Class 2A includes schools with 195-414 students and Class A includes 194 students and below.

"Raising the top of 2A isn't going to help 3A any," said East Bernard Athletic Director and head football coach Jerry Long.

Here's a mock classification that could be implemented: 5A, 2,086 and up; 4A, 1,015-2,085; 3A, 440-1,014; 2A, 205-439; 1A, 204 and below.

Wharton participated in 25-3A with Columbia, Needville, Palacios, Stafford and Sweeny in 2005-2006.

Wharton was in 28-3A with Edna, Needville, Sweeny, Palacios and Rice Consolidated in 2003-2004.

There are two schools in the Houston ISD - Scarborough and Forest Brook - which will most likely move from 4A to 3A.

District 29-3A now includes Cuero, Goliad, Gonzales, Palacios and Yoakum.

Wharton's current playoff district, 23-3A, now includes Bellville, Caldwell, Giddings, Navasota, La Grange and Smithville.

Van Sant's first priority is working on his pre-district football schedule.

"We'll confirm those and meet with the district schools to get ready to work out those," said Van Sant, who will be at the Region III Service Center in Victoria to meet with coaches.

Or course, there is a two week grace period for the alignment to become official and no contracts can be signed until that time.

"We really won't have a dramatic switch because we are in the middle of everything. We will either keep the people we are with and maybe lose some.

"Everybody likes to guess and figure."

He prefers to be placed in a sixteam district rather than one with eight teams.

"Your odds are so much better to make the playoffs," said Van Sant.

Most of the districts in Region IV have five schools or less. District 30- 3A is the lone one that includes six teams.

There has been speculation that the UIL will make six-team districts in the region.

However, since there might not be enough schools, a couple of districts would be without teams, resulting with some schools earning a first round bye in the playoffs.

Edna, which has been competing in District 28-2A, will move back up to 3A after turning in an enrollment of 455.

East Bernard and Boling will remain in Class 2A and are currently in 27-2A with Brazos, Danbury, Hitchcock and Van Vleck.

"I'm just kind of holding my breath and I'm not one that usually tries to predict what's going to happen," said Long.

"We're either going to stay where we're at or move over to 28-2A. I'm prepared either way."

District 28-2A now includes Rice Consolidated, Weimar, Schulenburg, Industrial, Tidehaven, Edna, Hallettsville and Ganado, which could be moving down to Class A.

"It really makes no difference what district they put us in," said Long.

"I think they could possibly do like an I-10 and (U.S.) 59 district. I think us and Brazos will stay together since we are so close."

Ganado turned in an enrollment of 185. Shiner turned in an enrollment of 189 and Louise has 187 students.

"If Ganado drops and Edna goes up, that leaves them a six-team district," said Long. "So that would leave us as is."

Boling Athletic Director and football coach Neal Majewski isn't concerned about any changes.

"I can't say that I would be surprised if things change but for the most part I don't see anything drastic," said Majewski.

"The UIL has a tough job because they have to figure what works best for the entire state and not just locally for a handful of places.

"It's one of those things that we're at their (UIL) mercy and whatever they decide is best for the state is what we do."

Majewski doesn't care if his school is placed in a six- or eight-team district.

"It doesn't bother me any way," said Majewski.

"I don't see anything drastic as far as changes."

Across the river, El Campo should remain in 4A, turning in an enrollment of 1,061.

The Ricebirds are currently in 24-4A with Bay City, Lamar Consolidated, Terry, Foster and Katy Seven Lakesm which will move up to 5A.

"Everybody has guesses but nobody knows," said El Campo Athletic Director and head coach Bob Gillis.

"We'll be one of the smaller 4A schools.

"I don't foresee a whole lot of changes but then again, what makes sense to me doesn't make sense to them."

That could possibly move Calhoun (Port Lavaca) back down from Region IV.

"I look for our district to be very similar to what it is now," said Gillis.

"We could have Brazosport and Angleton back."

Long's first priority is working on his schedule.

"I want to see how many district games am I going to have," said Long.

"Right now I'm still looking for one non-district game.

"If I end up in a eight team district, I won't need that one," Long added.

The basketball realignment will also be released and Houston charter schools Yes College Prep and Can Academy could be included in the district.

Friday's realignment can be found on the UIL Web site at www.uil.utexas. edu or broadcast on the Internet at www.kmacsports.com.

Friday's realignment will be for only football and basketball. Volleyball realignments will be released in March.

Current Alignment

Class 5A: 1,985 and above Class 4A: 950 to 1,984 Class 3A: 415 to 949 Class 2A: 195 to 414 Class A: 194 and below Six-man: 99.9 and below