On Monday morning, February 2, at 9:00 a.m., Texas public schools learned their new competitive districts as the University Interscholastic League released its biennial realignment. While schools had known their classifications and football divisions for several weeks—except for Class 6A, which does not divide until the playoffs—the official district pairings had remained a mystery.
Brownfield: A Shift North, but a Familiar Road
For Brownfield ISD, not much changed across most sports, with the notable exception of football. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, three scenarios circulated locally. The first involved Brownfield moving north into District 1-3A Division I with Bushland, Dalhart, and Shallowater, minus River Road. The second scenario placed both Brownfield and Denver City in that same north district. The third—and least likely—would have combined all four District 2-3A Division I schools with District 1-3A.
Ultimately, UIL chose the second option. Brownfield and Denver City will head north to form a five-team District 1-3A Division I alongside Bushland, Dalhart, and Shallowater.
Brownfield Head Football Coach Lawrence Johnson said the outcome aligned with expectations.
“It worked out how we thought it would,” Johnson said. “The north district will be competitive in a five-team district, but there is some familiarity with our opponents. We will be creative with how we travel to include stops for meals and walk-throughs. I’m excited for the challenge, and so are our kids.”
That familiarity comes from past realignments. In 2016, Brownfield and Denver City competed in a 4A district with Bushland and Dalhart, along with Perryton—trips that stretched as long as four hours north. Two years later, Brownfield dropped back to 3A and landed in a southern district that required five-hour trips to Tornillo. In comparison, the longest trip in the new district—Dalhart—will take approximately three hours and 20 minutes during the 2026 and 2027 football seasons.
The competition level will be high. Four of the five teams in the new district advanced at least two rounds into the playoffs last season, and Bushland and Shallowater have become consistent regional powers.
Brownfield ISD Superintendent Chris Smith acknowledged the challenges ahead.
“The realignment fell the way we thought it would,” Smith said. “The travel burden is going to be significant, and we will work to safely adjust to the new district dynamics.”
For basketball, Brownfield remains in District 3-3A with Coahoma, Crane, Denver City, Lamesa, Odessa Compass, and Stanton. Volleyball stays largely the same as well, with Crane being the lone school to move south. Most other sports and academic competitions will align with either the basketball or volleyball districts.
Meadow and Wellman-Union: Big Changes for Smaller Schools
The most notable local changes occurred among Terry County’s smaller schools. Meadow and Wellman-Union have frequently crossed paths over the years, sometimes together and sometimes separated depending on the sport and realignment cycle. Since 2018, the two schools have shared a football district, split in 2022, and were reunited again in 2024.
Wellman-Union Athletic Director and Head Girls Basketball Coach Josh Bailey welcomed the new alignment.
“We’re excited about our new UIL district alignments and the opportunities they bring for Wellman-Union athletics,” Bailey said. “In football, it’s great to compete with schools our size and to share a district with Meadow ISD, giving Terry County two teams in the same district.”
Both Meadow and Wellman-Union dropped to Division II in football. Meanwhile, state champion Jayton, state semifinalist Klondike, Whitharral, and Sands moved up to Division I—an adjustment that should help regionally. UIL placed the Terry County rivals together in a football district that also includes Loop, Dawson, Southland, and Wilson.
However, Wilson will not compete in varsity football during this cycle. Wilson ISD Superintendent Wesley Jones announced in an open letter that due to low numbers of varsity-eligible players, the district will not field a football team for the next two seasons.
With Wilson out, the football district shifts from six teams to five, adding some scheduling complexity.
Meadow Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Blake Jackson expressed optimism.
“About what I expected,” Jackson said. “I’m pleased to be a bigger school in the division rather than a smaller school. I think it’s a great chance for us to compete and make some noise.”
Basketball: Competitive Paths Diverge
UIL split the cross-county rivals for basketball. Meadow remains in District 5-1A with Amherst, Anton, Cotton Center, and Whitharral, while adding Springlake-Earth and former district foe Whiteface.
This district figures to be competitive once again. Whiteface has steadily rebuilt its girls program since the 2017–18 season after a long lull, while Whitharral continues to field strong boys and girls teams.
Meadow Head Basketball Coach Jonathan Alaniz is eager for the challenge.
“I’m looking forward to playing a couple of different teams,” Alaniz said. “One thing’s for sure—we’re going to compete every night. It will be fun to see how the district plays out over the next couple of years.”
Wellman-Union, meanwhile, faces a demanding road in District 6-1A. The Wildcats were placed with Borden County, Dawson, Grady, Klondike, Loop, Sands, and O’Donnell after being squeezed out of their previous district when Ralls dropped to 1A.
For girls’ basketball, the district could be among the toughest in the state. Over the past decade, the programs of Borden Co., Grady, Klondike, O’Donnell, Sands, & Wellman-Union have combined for 48 playoff appearances, multiple deep postseason runs, and a state championship. With only four playoff spots available, several strong teams will be left out each year.
Bailey acknowledged the difficulty ahead.
“Basketball will see the biggest change with an eight-team district and district play starting before Christmas,” Bailey said. “It will be a tough, competitive district and will require us to be strategic with our non-district schedule, but we’re excited for the challenge.”
The Wellman-Union Lady Cat volleyball program will continue district play with Klondike and Loop, while Southland and Wilson join the group to form a five-team district.