Craven: Five big takeaways from UIL realignment

2015_10_16_FossilRidgeAtRyan_4381Every two years, the UIL realigns classifications and districts around the state. These changes were announced early Monday morning and will take effect in the fall of 2016, continuing to the end of the athletic year in the spring of 2018. A majority of programs weren’t directly impacted by the alignment. Most Class 6A schools stay Class 6A schools, etc. There are observations to be made about a few big changes, though, and here are five that stood out at first glance. Denton Ryan moves down After spending the inaugural two years as a Class 6A program, Denton Ryan makes the move down to Class 5A. The Raiders reached the fourth round of the Class 6A playoffs in 2015, falling to Allen High School. Head coach Dave Henigan’s program will be an instant favorite at the Class 5A level. Ryan is now in District 5-5A in Region I. Aledo now has a challenger in that region, assuming they ever end up in the same division. Leander ISD shook up Vandegrift, Leander and Vista Ridge moved up to Class 6A, staying in Region IV after being assigned to District 25 with Lake Travis, Westlake, Hays and Lehman. Leander ISD became a dominant force in Class 5A with Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Cedar Park making long runs in the playoffs over the past two seasons. That talent will be tested now with two of those top-flight programs now in Class 6A. Moving Lake Travis and Westlake into Region IV also creates a tougher road for Converse Judson and Cibolo Steele. Austin ISD spared The UIL should receive thank you cards from a few Class 6A Austin ISD football coaches. Not only did Austin High move down to Class 5A, but the rest of the remaining Class 6A programs were taken out of a district that included Westlake and Lake Travis. District 14-6A is now three Austin ISD schools, plus Del Valle, Manor and San Marcos. This insures one Austin ISD team will make the football playoffs every season. That wouldn’t have been true if those three teams were placed in District 25-6A instead. Canadian moves up The two-time defending state champions at the Class 2A D1 level move to Class 3A DII. Canadian stormed through Class 2A in 2015. Larger tests await the program for the next two seasons. The Wildcats will likely enter 2016 as one of the favorites. Head coach Chris Koetting can prove a point with another state championship run in the year of new alignment. A new challenger to Katy George Ranch cruised to a Class 5A D1 championship a few short months ago. The Longhorns are moving to Class 6A and will be in Region III. Katy owns Region III and a newcomer in the ranks will mean a tougher route to the state semifinals.