UIL Realignment Shakes Up East Texas Football

Experts analyze how the latest UIL district changes will impact teams in the region.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:47am

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The University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for public high school sports in Texas, has announced its biennial realignment of districts for the 2026-2028 seasons. This realignment is set to have a significant impact on East Texas football programs, according to local experts Alan Metzel and Scott Surratt.

Why it matters

The UIL realignment process is closely watched by high school sports fans and programs, as it can dramatically alter the competitive landscape for teams. Changes to district alignments can affect travel, scheduling, and the overall difficulty of a team's schedule, ultimately impacting their chances of making the playoffs.

The details

The new UIL districts will see several East Texas programs shifted to new regions, forcing them to face unfamiliar opponents. Metzel and Surratt, who closely follow high school sports in the area, provided insights on how specific teams and districts will be affected by the realignment.

  • The UIL realignment takes effect for the 2026-2028 seasons.
  • The new district assignments were announced in early February 2026.

The players

Alan Metzel

A longtime high school sports analyst and commentator who closely follows East Texas football.

Scott Surratt

A former high school football coach and current sports talk radio host in the East Texas region.

University Interscholastic League (UIL)

The governing body for public high school sports in the state of Texas, responsible for overseeing the realignment of districts every two years.

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What they’re saying

“This realignment is going to shake up the competitive landscape in East Texas. Some traditional powerhouses are going to find themselves in much tougher districts, which could make it harder for them to reach the playoffs.”

— Alan Metzel, High School Sports Analyst (cw39.com)

“The travel requirements for some of these teams are really going to be a challenge. Programs that are used to short bus rides to district games are now looking at long trips across the region to face new opponents.”

— Scott Surratt, Sports Talk Radio Host (cw39.com)

What’s next

The UIL will hold a public forum in March 2026 to discuss the realignment and gather feedback from coaches, athletic directors, and community members.

The takeaway

The latest UIL realignment is set to have a significant impact on high school football in East Texas, forcing teams to adapt to new district assignments, travel requirements, and competitive landscapes. Experts predict the changes will shake up the regional playoff picture in the coming seasons.