20-4A, 21-3A remain the same; Deweyville set to travel

Gabriel Pruett

BEAUMONT — The guess work is over as schools across Texas found out which districts they would be in Monday morning as the UIL announced its bi-yearly realignment.

The big move was actually not a move at all in District 20-4A as the Livingston Lions will remain in the district. Many thought the Lions would shift districts to combat the long travel times it takes for the Lions to reach Southeast Texas and how long it takes for local teams to reach Livingston.

“We didn’t expect that,” Livingston offensive coordinator Brad Green said. “It is usually after midnight before we get home on Friday nights after playing in this area. That is hard on our kids. It is a very competitive district and we enjoy that part but the travel is always a concern.”

District 20-4A remained the same with Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Vidor dealing with Beaumont Central, Beaumont Ozen, Port Neches-Groves, Nederland, Livingston and Lumberton.

District 21-3A also remained the same with Bridge City, Orangefield, West Orange-Stark, Hamshire-Fannett, Silsbee and Hardin-Jefferson.

The big news in the 3A ranks deals with Kirbyville moving back up after a two-year stay in the 2A ranks. The Wildcats played in back-to-back state title games in 2A.

Kirbyville will now be in District 18-3A with Center, Diboll, Huntington, Jasper, Lufkin Hudson and Pollok Central. Hudson and Pollok do not play football so 18-3A will turn into a five-team district for football.

WO-S got a bit of good news when it comes to playoff time as both Gilmer and Carthage left Region III to be in Region II.

“We really did not expect too many changes,” WO-S defensive coordinator Cornell Thompson said. “We really didn’t have a clue Kirbyville would be back in 3A. We were glad to see our local district stay the same.”

The unofficial WO-S non-district schedule could include Nederland, Friendswood, Kirbyville, Jasper and Giddings.

“We should be well-prepared for district and the playoffs after playing those teams,” Thompson said. “Those are well coached teams with some great athletes.”

Bridge City coach Cris Stump was also pleased to see 21-3A stay the same even with Kirbyville dropping down.

“Bridge City didn’t mind keeping Kirbyville and Jasper out of our district,” Stump said. “It is fine the way it is.”

Bridge City’s possible non-district opponents could include Shepherd, Vidor, Beaumont Kelly and Kirbyville with the Cardinals still looking for another opponent.

Carthage and Gilmer will be in District 16 with Gladewater, Henderson, Longview Spring Hill and Pittsburg.

The Deweyville Pirates were another team hit hard by travel times during the football season.

The Pirates will participate in Class 2A Division II District 10 along with Corrigan-Camden, Groveton, Hemphill, New Waverly and San Augustine.

“There is definitely going to be some travel,” Deweyville coach Russell McDaniel said. “We were really hoping New Waverly would not be in there as far as travel goes. But once you are on the bull you have to ride it and go on.”

Hemphill will be the closest the Pirates will have to travel as the trip is about 90 miles. Corrigan-Camden and San Augustine are both about 100 miles from Deweyville while Groveton and New Waverly are both about 125 miles from Pirate Stadium.

Deweyville will then switch to District 24-2A for the rest of the sports season and will compete against Anahuac, Buna, Hardin, Kountze, Warren and East Chambers.

The local 5A district will now consist of Baytown Sterling, Beaumont West Brook, Channelview, Galena Park North Shore, La Porte and Port Arthur Memorial.

Baytown Lee moved down to the 4A level and will compete in District 19-4A along with Baytown Goose Creek Memorial, Crosby, Dayton, Galena Park, Houston King, Houston North Forest and Barbers Hill.