Every coach and media personnel keep close eye to Austin on the first Monday in February. Each district and classification are realigned according to size and some logistical manipulation. Sometimes the changes are subtle, and some are massive, and Fairfield knew they were due for a big change.
The population totals were released in December and the numbers were a bit higher, so the Fairfield Eagles would be dropping a classification to 3A Division I. They would no longer be joined with Mexia, who remained in 4A Division II.
Last week the realignments came down and Fairfield will rejoin Groesbeck and Teague in District 8-3A Division I. The Eustace Bulldogs, Kemp Yellowjackets and Malakoff Tigers will fill out the eight-team district in Region II.
Mexia had some opportunity to remain in the district with the Waco schools but the biggest surprise found them with none of those schools. They will head north to District 7-4A Division II with the Brownsboro Bears, Bullard Panthers, who they beat in the playoffs last season, the Canton Eagles and Van Vandals. They do avoid the Carthage Bulldogs, dropping to Division II and into Region III, where they will have Madisonville.
The Wortham Bulldogs will have a bit tougher road to the playoffs with their new home. They remain in District 10-2A Division II and will lose Dawson, moving up to Division I. The new district gets the defending champion Mart Panthers, former three-time champion Bremond Tigers, Chilton Pirates, Frost Polar Bears, Hubbard Jaguars and Wortham.
The practices will begin in August so that gives everyone time to get used to the new locations and begin football talk, since it is right around the corner.
