New Year, New Us: Teams Moving UP a Class in Realignment
Aledo Bearcats, Celina Bobcats, Hitchcock Bulldogs and Hamilton Bulldogs headline teams moving up a classification in the 2026-28 UIL realignment cycle.
Celina
Celina, one of the winningest programs in TXHSFB, is Class 5A for the first time.
Fort Bend Crawford
Frisco Panther Creek
Frisco Panther Creek has made at least the second round of the playoffs in three-straight years.
Eagle Mountain (4A DII to 5A DII)
Eagle Mountain went 8-4 last year in its second season as a varsity program.
London (3A DI to 4A DII)
London has made the playoffs in five consecutive years.
Hitchcock (3A DI to 4A DII)
Hitchcock moves to 4A after making four consecutive playoff appearances
Ponder (3A DI to 4A DII)
Ponder has not made the playoffs since 2016. The Lions started 4-0 in 2025 but dropped five of their last six games.
Iowa Park (3A DI to 4A DII)
Iowa Park, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2020, is now the smallest school in Class 4A DII.
Mildred (2A DI to 3A DII)
After going 21-4 over the last two seasons, Mildred bumps to 3A.
Schulenburg (2A DI to 3A DII)
Schulenburg is back in Class 3A for the first time since 2019 after back-to-back appearances in the second round of the playoffs.
Hamilton (2A DI to 3A DII)
The reigning state champions in Class 2A DI are now the second-smallest school in Class 3A.
A correction was made on January 1: Boys Ranch is not moving up to 2A and will still play six-man football.
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