Texas’ University Interscholastic League released its 2020 district alignments for football and basketball Monday, and some significant changes are in store for area teams for football.
Basketball districts remain unchanged.
Patton Springs and Jayton
Patton Springs and Jayton will now be in the same football district. The new Region 2, District 7-1A will be made up of Jayton, Motley County, Patton Springs, Guthrie and Southland.
Patton Springs football coach Eric Johnson said, “District 7 Division 2 just became the hardest district in the state. Two teams have both been to the semis in the last two years, one runner-up, then there are the other three that can put up a fight against those two powerhouses but are still going to have lots of catching up to do to those programs. There will definitely be some games to watch in this district the next two years.”
Johnson added, “I also wanted to say Moses parted the Red Sea so it is possible for the rest of the teams in the district—we just have to play really good football at a really high level. The Red Sea in our case is Motley and Jayton. So I might get me a little Moses statue when we play them.”
Jayton coach Josh Stanaland, who has had back-to-back seasons in which his Jayton Jaybirds advanced far into the playoffs, offered his take on the new alignment. “I was a little surprised by our new football district. I expected to be with Motley County, Guthrie, and Patton Springs, but not Southland.”
“I think it will be a competitive district,” said Stanaland. “I know that Guthrie and Patton Springs are going to keep improving. Motley County is obviously really good already. I don’t know much about Southland, yet.”
Stanaland noted that the whole region has been shifted to have some of the best teams in the state.
“Region 2 is stacked. I think we probably have 5 of the top 10 teams in Division 2 in this region. November and December are going to be a lot of fun,” he said, adding, “We’re going to have a great basketball run, have a great spring and summer, and we’ll be ready to go again on August 3rd.”
Spur loses familiar opponents, gains new ones
The Hermleigh Cardinals and the Ira Bulldogs move to District 7-1A Division 1, where they will compete with the Aspermont, Roby and Rotan. Spur will play in District 3-1A Di vision 1 with Crowell, Knox City, Paducah and Vernon Northside.
Spur football coach Tate Clark said, “We went where I was figuring we would go. I wasn’t sure if we would get Vernon Northside, but we did. I’m happy with it. Just a lot of travel. Every team in the district should be very competitive and get those who advance to the playoffs ready to play.”
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