GAMES
RANKINGS
UIL Football Realignment: Hutto Joins 6A; Austin LBJ Drops To 4A DI
It was an early start to the work week because coaches, ADs and media gathered at 9am on Monday for the 2020-2022 UIL Realignment announcement at Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin. The latest lineups were revealed as attendees flipped through the packets that were handed out to them.
Multiple Austin area schools needed a new home, including former 5A Division I football members Hutto and Austin LBJ Early College. The Hippos had become an all-sports power the last few years and are now joining the state's highest classification.
"We've had to play some good competition in 5A and we know it's going to be the same brand as we move up," said Hutto athletic director and head football coach Brad LaPlante. "But I think just knowing the teams we're going against, week in and week out, we need to be ready, play a high level of ball and certainly build our depth as you play the bigger schools."
Hutto will team up with former 13-6A and Region II members Austin Vandegrift, Cedar Park Vista Ridge, McNeil, Round Rock, Round Rock Cedar Ridge, Round Rock Stony Point and Round Rock Westwood in 25-6A. The North Austin grouping greatly advances the competition level in Region IV and will face the other Austin area 6A district, 26-6A, in the bi-district round of the postseason. The teams will battle former 25-6A competitors Austin High, Austin Akins, Austin Bowie, Del Valle, Hays, Lake Travis and Westlake or returning 26-6A school San Marcos in the opening round of the playoffs. The latter is notable because the Rattlers return to an Austin area group for the first time since the 2016-2018 alignment. If you're lucky enough to get past the first test, you'll play a mix of Central and South Texas squads in the rest of region play.
"There's quite a few going into Region IV," said LaPlante. "When you have new districts and you think playoffs, there's a different frame of mind. Do you want to win district or do you want to make a deep run in the playoffs? Of course, everybody traditionally talks about Region IV having the possibility of making a deep run, so we're just going to go day by day and get our kids ready for some good opponents down the road."
Austin LBJ Early College found similar athletic success by sharing the 12-5A Division I football crown in 2018 and clinching another playoff appearance in 2019, but new Austin ISD school LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy) took enough of its student body to drop it down to 4A. It has 4A Division II numbers for football, but opted to compete in 4A Division I the next two seasons. The Jaguars will lean on their past experience against former district tests Dripping Springs and Seguin to get them ready for their new challenges against Burnet, Canyon Lake, Fredericksburg, Lampasas and Taylor in 13-4A Division I action.
"I think the new road is exciting," said Austin LBJ Early College athletic director and head football coach Jahmal Fenner. "When you look at your athletic programs, you always want to put them in the best situation to compete and be successful."
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.
VYPE San Antonio Boys Soccer Scene: 2020 UIL & TAPPS Teams To Watch
The 2020 Texas high school boys soccer season is here, so you're probably wondering who the UIL and TAPPS teams to watch are in the San Antonio area. Check out today's VYPE coverage. To buy other team and individual photos from the 2020 VYPE San Antonio Preseason Soccer Photoshoot, click here.
We start in the state's highest classification because San Antonio's North East ISD is one of the state's deepest soccer districts. Nationally-ranked San Antonio LEE is highly motivated after its shootout loss in the 2019 UIL 6A state title game. The Volunteers are still the area public school favorite because roster headliners Alberto Mendoza,Francisco Segura andAndrew Erickson are expected to step up when they face 2019 UIL 6A Region IV finalist San Antonio Reagan and 2019 regional quarterfinalist San Antonio Johnson in UIL 27-6A tests.
Kerrville Tivy and San Antonio Southwest led San Antonio area UIL 5A teams with their Region IV semifinal finishes in 2019, but expect a challenge from Alamo Heights in 2020. The Mules earned UIL 27-5A's top playoff seed a season ago and have key players in Vann Morgan Smith and Nicolas Esteva to keep them on track this spring.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
A squad flying under the radar is Harlandale. The Indians were a 2019 UIL 5A bi-district finalist like Alamo Heights and have the necessary leaders in David Tierranegra,Ricardo Padron andAlejandro Silvato surpass that mark in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
The state's smallest public school classification saw the 2019Canyon Lake Hawks represent the San Antonio area in theUIL 4A state semifinal, but other programs will be gunning for that spot in 2020. The Gonzales Apaches are ready to strike because they marched to the 2019 UIL 4A Region IV semifinal and have notable players in Luis Hernandez,Jose Daniel Cruz and Antonio Hernandez in 2020. Another experienced playoff squad is La Vernia, who made a run to last year's regional quarterfinal.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
In TAPPS Division I action, keep an eye on defending state champSan Antonio Central Catholic. The Buttons have the necessary field general in senior Christopher Rios-Cruzto have more success in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
San Antonio TMI Episcopal won the 2019 TAPPS Division II state championship and can add another one in 2020. Expect the Panthers to lean on their deep roster, which includes notable threesomeDiego Ampudia, Joseph Kuri andPatricio Parra Ramon.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
In the same classification and district, don't overlookNoah Platzer and San Antonio Christian School. The senior has the necessary credentials to add to his school's great athletic tradition in 2020.
Photo by VYPE Media's Bradley Collier.
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.