Realignment puts Bulldogs in 9A
By Kathy Thomson
The 2020-21 University Interscholastic League realignment announced earlier this month will move Moran to a different district for football and basketball, but leave the Lady Bulldogs playing volleyball in the mixed 1A and 2A District 6.
Football
Moran has been in District 6A for football, along with Blackwell, Loraine, and Trent.
Starting next fall, the Bulldogs will play Lueders Avoca, Throckmorton, and Woodson in District 9A. Haskell Paint Creek is also listed in the district, but will not field a football team, according to Moran athletic director John Hughes.
“Realignments this time were actually good for us in football, as we will be in District 9A, Division II, with Woodson, Throckmorton, and Lueders Avoca,” said Hughes. “I know that each one of those teams made the playoffs last year, but it could be a toss-up on who will make it out next year.”
Hughes said that it should be a very interesting football season next year.
“Overall, it will be a competitive district for us,” said the football coach.
Basketball
Realignment will move Moran from Region 2 to Region 3 for football, but from Region 3 to Region 2 for basketball.
“For basketball we will be in District 13A,” said Hughes. “The district is made up of Baird, Eula, Cross Plains, May, Rising Star, and Moran.”
Moran has been in District 20 with Baird, Eula, Gordon, Ranger, and Strawn. Eula, the district champion this year and ranked among the top 10 in the state, will move to the new district with Moran and Baird.
“It will be a very tough district to play in, considering that Baird, Eula, May, and Cross Plains are perennial playoff teams,” said Hughes. “But we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Volleyball
The Moran volleyball team will still play Albany, Hawley, Ranger, Newcastle, Strawn, and Woodson.
New to the district will be Texas Leadership Charter Academy of Abilene.
“The addition of TLC Abilene might change things,” said volleyball coach Jo Hise. “Other than that, I don’t know how much the realignment will affect us.”
