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How has UIL realignment impacted Dallas-area football programs this season?

Area teams like Anna are adjusting to new classifications, while programs like Lancaster and Euless Trinity have caused disruption in their new districts.

Every two years, UIL realignment shakes up the Texas high school sports landscape, placing teams in new classifications and new districts. Here’s how realignment has impacted Dallas-area programs so far this football season.

Growing pains for some schools

Anna went 15–1 to win the Class 4A Division I state championship in 2023. Heading into its Week 6 matchup with Frisco Independence, Anna has a 1–3 record.

Due to rising enrollment, the program moved up from Class 4A Division I to Class 5A Division II this season. That move meant playing tougher competition. Anna has been on the wrong side of close district games the last two weeks, losing to Lovejoy 66-62 in Week 4 and falling 21-18 to Melissa in Week 5.

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Like Anna, Forney has also found itself experiencing growing pains in its new classification. A 5A Division I state semifinalist last season, Forney moved up to Class 6A in realignment.

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This year, Forney is off to a 2–3 start and lost its first District 10-6A game 35-31 to North Forney. That was Forney’s third game against a 6A opponent decided by four points or less this season.

New additions to districts cause disruption

District 4-6A, ruled by Southlake Carroll and Trophy Club Byron Nelson the last two years, now has more heavyweights with the addition of Euless Trinity and Justin Northwest.

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Trinity, in a 56-48 Week 4 loss, played Carroll closer than any team has all season and it beat Byron Nelson 31-28 last week. Justin Northwest, which moved up to Class 6A from Class 5A Division I in realignment, enters its Week 6 contest against Hurst L.D. Bell with a 4-0 record.

The addition of Lancaster has complicated District 11-6A, home to defending state champions Duncanville and DeSoto. Lancaster, a regional finalist in 5A Division I last year, moved up to Class 6A this season.

Despite being a newcomer, Lancaster has started 2-0 in District 11-6A and boasts a 41-35 win over Cedar Hill, a 6A Division II regional finalist in 2023.

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Some schools thriving in new classifications

Highland Park moved down to Class 5A Division I from Class 6A for this realignment cycle and is currently the state’s sixth-ranked 5A Division I team. The six-time state champion looks on pace to excel in its new district, 7-5AI, after a 35-9 win over Tyler last Week.

Carrollton Creekview, which moved up from 5A Division II to 5A Division I, has also thrived in a new class. Creekview welcomed new coach Dusty Ortiz this season and is 5-0 so far with a 3–0 record in District 6-5AI.

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