Cubs Football Lands in New Division Under UIL Realignment

The Olney Cubs will face a new slate of district opponents this fall after the University Interscholastic League released its biennial district realignment.

Every two years, the UIL reshuffles classifications and districts across Texas in an effort to keep schools competing against others with similar enrollment. The process begins each October of odd-numbered years, when schools submit a “snapshot” of their 9th–12th grade enrollment.

Olney ISD reported 185 students in grades 9–12 on snapshot day.

“That number put us in the AA Classification,” said Olney Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Dustin Altmiller. “For football, the UIL even takes it a step further and places us in divisions.”

With 185 students, Olney falls into Class 2A Division I, which includes schools with enrollment between 176 and 246. Division II includes schools from 105 to 175 students, placing Olney just above that cutoff.

After enrollment numbers are set, the UIL divides each classification and division into four regions and four districts per region for football.

As a result of movement across classifications statewide, Olney has been placed in District 6-2A Division I alongside Alvord, Chico, Muenster, Nocona, Tioga, A Competitive Road Ahead The new district features a mix of programs coming off very different seasons.

Alvord finished 9–3 last year, won its district and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Muenster posted a 14–2 record and captured the Class 2A Division II state championship.

Tioga went 5–6 and reached the playoffs before exiting in the first round. Chico (1–9) is the only familiar district opponent for Olney, having faced the Cubs in recent pre-district matchups. Nocona (1–9) is known to Olney in volleyball and basketball competition but not in football.

Overall, three of the five new district opponents made the playoffs last season.

“I expect this to be a very competitive district where everyone will have their work cut out for them each week,” Coach Altmiller said.

While football follows a division-based system within each classification, volleyball and basketball do not split into divisions. As a result, Olney’s volleyball and basketball district alignments remain unchanged from the past two years.

“This same process will then repeat itself in another two years,” Coach Altmiller said.