SMALL TOWN TEXAS - With the state of Texas’ size, classifications are an absolute necessity. However, if we ask, “How much do classifications matter?” we can start to have a surprisingly interesting discussion.

Both Lorena and Llano dropped from 4A to 3A at the 2020-2021 UIL realignment, and both schools have had a lot more success since they’ve moved classifications.

Lorena in their last three years of 4A had a combined record of 59-44 with 11 total district losses. In their first three years of 3A they have a combined record of 77-25 with 0 district losses. While Llano in their last three years of 4A had a combined record of 20-67 and 28 total district losses, their first three years of 3A they have a combined record of 46-41 with only 12 district losses. Quite the improvement for both programs.

So, we can’t pretend that moving from one classification to another won’t have a serious impact on your program’s success. But there have been examples of schools maintaining their success even when moving up into a bigger classification.

A couple of easy examples of this would be Lipan and Argyle. The Lipan Indians moved up a classification during the 2020-2021 realignment. The Indians had a combined record of 86-13 in their last three years in 1A, with one state championship, one regional runners-up, and one regional semi-finalist finish. As a 2A school Lipan has a 92-7 record, with one state semi-finalist, one state runners-up, and one state championship... You could argue that Lipan has been even more successful after they’ve moved up into 2A. 

Argyle, a 5A school as of the last realignment, has moved up classifications three times in the last nine realignments. In fact, they were a 2A just 18 short years ago. They maintained a high level of success throughout these realignments, winning multiple state titles at both the 3A and 4A levels - girls and boys.

Schools going up or down within the classification system can create large waves in their respective classifications. However, as we can see, going up a single classification is not a death sentence, and going down a classification does not always mean that school is going to be in the running for a state championship. It just means that adjustments have to be made.

With the new UIL realignment coming out relatively soon, who do you think will make a move to a different classification?