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Once again the UIL has spoken. Once again the message is muddled. Questions of why are abundant, but that has taken place forever. Some of the Tiger fans are doing cartwheels because of our draw with Lake Travis and Westlake being removed for a much weaker district, which should bring in many district titles.
However, for my part, I do not agree. A top program needs to be in a competitive district. Many decades ago, the district title was devalued when they were no longer required to make the playoffs. Now you only have to place in the top four and you are in. Deep in the playoffs is the goal.
Finances is another reason. Home gate receipts are a major resource. Teams that don’t travel, don’t contribute. As a fan, I do not enjoy going to a game that is over before halftime with the reserves playing the second half and a running clock. Not fun for anyone in one-sided games. Not fair to the starters who have worked hard to earn those spots, but nice for the reserves. For sure, the winning DS programs in the new district will be basketball, tennis and golf. The foot has been taken off their necks.
So to get some balance in football, the coach will have to schedule the better teams. This is something Coach Zimmerman has tried to do. Next year starts off with Lake Travis. A good opponent and little chance to meet in playoffs. That is the reason Westlake was not scheduled. We will see them in the playoffs. G2. SA Harlan; G3. Round Rock (for same reason as Lake Travis). G4. Harker Heights. District: G5. Austin Akins; G6. Hays Johnson; G7. Austin High; G8. Austin Bowie; G9. Hays High; G10. Del Valle. This schedule is tentative until all appeals to the UIL have been taken care of.
