2026-28 UIL Realignment: Top Five Losers Revealed
The UIL 2026-28 realignment has led to significant shifts in Texas high school football classifications. Certain programs are feeling the impact more than others, raising concerns about their competitiveness in upcoming seasons.
Class 6A: Region III Changes
For the first time in years, no Houston Independent School District (ISD) team will compete in Class 6A. This shift opened up opportunities for schools in other regions. Notably, Leander ISD’s North Austin schools have transitioned from Region IV to a now Houston-centric Region III.
This change affects schools such as Austin Vandegrift and Cedar Park. They will face challenges traveling to Houston for bi-district games unless they secure one of the top two seeds. A potential early playoff rematch between Austin Vandegrift and Sheldon C.E. King shares similarities with last year’s state semifinal match-up.
Class 5A: Fort Bend Dulles Faces Tougher District
Fort Bend Dulles is dropping from Class 6A to 5A Division I following a challenging 0-10 season. Their new district includes formidable opponents like Richmond Randle and Iowa Colony. Richmond has previously reached the state championships, showcasing a strong program.
- Angleton: Entered last season with a 9-0 record but lost its starting quarterback.
- Katy Freeman: A new school expected to compete effectively right away.
Class 4A: Iowa Park’s New Challenge
Iowa Park, coming off a 3-7 season, is set to compete in Class 4A Division II. The team has been placed in a district with Brock, a powerhouse that hasn’t finished a season with fewer than 10 wins since 2013. Graham, a playoff contender with a 9-4 record in recent years, and the storied team from Mineral Wells further complicate Iowa Park’s situation.
Class 3A: Hardin’s District Setbacks
Hardin, which enjoyed a record-setting 12-1 season last year, faced a downgrade from Class 3A Division I to Division II. Unfortunately, Hardin’s new district includes perennial powerhouse Newton, which boasts a 14-2 record and has not lost a district game since 2011. Another formidable opponent is Woodville, a state championship participant two years ago, featuring a promising future Division I quarterback in Luke Babin.
Class 2A: Axtell’s Shifting Landscape
In Class 2A, Axtell had eyes on becoming the new favorite after last year’s unpredictability in Region II. However, with the reigning state champion Hamilton moving to Class 3A Division II, Axtell now faces a potentially stronger field. The region now includes:
- Mason (10-4 record)
- Muenster (two-time defending state champion)
- Hawley (previously 8-4)
- Cisco (12-2 record)
- De Leon (9-4 record)
The UIL 2026-28 realignment presents both opportunities and obstacles for Texas high school football programs. The upcoming seasons will reveal how teams adapt to their new classifications and rivals.
