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The long-awaited day has arrived. At 9 a.m. on February 3, the UIL unveiled the fate of all the members in Texas for the next two school years. All the speculation of what district you would be in became known. All the coaches in Texas found out as the district alignments were listed on the website. At that time coaches could start working on their schedules or start thinking about moving. The UIL selections can determine just how successful a school will likely be. Still, schedules cannot be chiseled in stone until the period for taking care of protests has finished.
Dripping Springs has known for months they would move up to 6A, but what schools would be included was left to speculation. There were several scenarios that looked possible.
For the next two school years Dripping Springs will be competing in Region IV, District 26-6A and will be joined by Austin High, Austin Akins, Austin Anderson, Austin Bowie, Del Valle, Hays Johnson, Lake Travis and Westlake. In a potential bi-district round to start the playoffs, Dripping Springs would match up against District 25-6A composed of Round Rock, McNeil, Stony Point, Westwood, Cedar Ridge, Vandegrift, Vista Ridge and Manor.
There are many reasons Dripping Springs is in the district that fits best. Lake Travis and Westlake are formidable programs, but all a team should want is a chance to compete for a win and no doubt the Tigers are capable of that. No one likes to go into a game without a chance to win and few like to watch those games. As a former AD, having to worry about the finances and a fan, the lack of travel is great with no team being more than 25 miles and little heavy traffic to face. Even better is the fact we will get to see full stands on the visitors side of all sports instead of 50 or so to boost the bank account. It is close enough that student bodies will attend. Dripping Springs already plays Lake Travis, Westlake, Bowie, Johnson, etc. in other sports, and it is good to have close rivalries where the kids know each other. It adds to the interest and intensity. Four teams advance to the playoffs giving the nine teams more competition for those spots. Most are not determined until the final week keeping interest high to the end.
Not to be overlooked is being in Region IV. Traditionally, this region is considered to be weaker overall with most districts (5) (41 schools) coming from the Austin and San Antonio area. There are not many 6A schools in South Texas (3) (18). Also contributing is the number of multischool ISD's which works against stacking talent. It means teams making the playoffs have better odds of playoff runs.
Good friend Howard Ballard gave me a heads up on the tentative DS football schedule. If all goes well it will look like this. 8-26: At Vandegrift; 9-2: San Antonio Wagner; 9-9: Open; 9-16: Austin High; 9-23: At Bowie; 9-30: Hays Johnson; 10-7: At Akins; 10-14: Westlake; 10-21: At Lake Travis; 10-28: Del Valle; 11-4: At Anderson. Due to stadium availability some away games may be on Thursdays.
