Goodbye, for Now: Rivalries LOST to Realignment
Denton Ryan vs. Aledo and Georgetown vs. Cedar Park were two of Texas high school football's top district matchups that were lost to realignment.
Cedar Park vs. Georgetown carried district title and playoff implications throughout the last decade. In 2017, Cedar Park erased a 27-7 deficit to win 28-27 in a comeback that became an instant classic. Last season, the Timberwolves secured the 8-5A Division I title with a 60-52 win in the DCTX Rising Game of the Week, one of the top regular-season matchups of the year. Georgetown also picked up some statement wins in this rivalry, including 40-14 in 2022 and 31-7 in 2024. The winner of this one usually went on a postseason run. Realignment now moves Cedar Park to 6A and Georgetown to 12-5A DI, where it will forge a new rivalry with Pflugerville Weiss.
This became the game in Frisco ISD. Lone Star grew into the city's flagship program, but Wakeland consistently proved it could hang. The 2024 meeting captured the rivalry at its peak. Wakeland entered as a heavy underdog, matched Lone Star score for score, and won on a 99-yard fumble return by Austin Wilson on the game's final play. It stands as the most memorable moment in school history. Now realignment splits them. Lone Star adds Melissa to the district, while Wakeland moves to 6A to face Denton Guyer and Lewisville.
12-3A DI has produced the last two state champions: Columbus and Yoakum. Realignment, however, denied us what would have been an extra juicy regular-season game, as Yoakum now competes in District 13 and Columbus moves to District 11, Division II. The two squads could meet in the playoffs, but only in the semifinals, as the Cardinals are in Region 3 and the Bulldogs are in Region 4. Hitchcock, which also provided a very compelling regular-season matchup for both teams in recent years, is headed to 4A DII.
Whether in the playoffs or district play, the winner of this game has long been considered a favorite to win a state title. Aledo, which holds the UIL record with 12 state titles, has controlled this rivalry in recent years, but that has not always been the case. In 2024, Denton Ryan lost decisively during the regular season but came back to send the Bearcats home and secure a regional title. Both programs face big changes heading into the 2026 season. The Raiders are ushering in a new era as Shane Tolleson takes over for Dave Henigan, while Aledo moves up to 6A, where it will face some powerful teams, mainly from Arlington ISD.
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It was a short-lived rivalry, as the teams were in the same district for only the past two years, but TXHSFB fans will certainly miss these clashes. The teams played three times, with Cuero outscoring Sinton 121-118 and holding a 2-1 advantage. Sinton is moving down to 3A DI.
This one was just starting to heat up when Dripping Springs got over the hump in 2025 with a 45-35 win, after dropping three straight to the Chaparrals from 2022-24. Westlake will have to wait for its revenge, for now. Both teams will compete in 6A Region IV, so a playoff matchup is not out of the question. Dripping Springs also seemingly lost its traditional rivalry with Lake Travis, but the Tigers and Cavaliers have agreed to play in week one.
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