Takeaways from UIL’s classification cutoffs: Which Fort Worth-area teams are on the move?
The UIL released the classification cutoff numbers for the upcoming realignment in February. Figures are based on enrollment numbers submitted by schools on Oct. 27, 2023.
Here are some things to know regarding Fort Worth-area high schools’ numbers.
Aledo nearly misses move to Class 6A
Aledo turned in an enrollment of 2,267 students, which is eight students shy of the 2,275 Class 6A cutoff. So, the Bearcats will stay put in Class 5A, where they’ve been dominant and will surely continue to be an athletic powerhouse.
On Friday, Aledo will face Comal Smithson Valley in the Class 5A D1 high school football state championship in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. CT. The undefeated Bearcats dominated Forney in the semifinal to advance.
Aledo has been in Class 5A division one or two since 2014. During this time, the Bearcats have won six high school football state championships. With one more win on Friday, they’ll add another title to the dynasty.
Which teams are moving up?
The Brock Eagles narrowly lost 38-31 in the Class 3A D1 State Semifinal on Thursday at the Ford Center. With an enrollment of 624, the Eagles fall in the Class 4A D2 range. The rise will certainly make Brock’s district schedule more challenging, which could be worthwhile for the Eagles.
Justin Northwest, with an enrollment of 2,550 students, will make the jump from Class 5A D1 to Class 6A. The Texans had a solid season in 2023, winning 10 games en route to a regional semifinal loss to Abilene.
Tolar, a team set to face Timpson in the Class 2A D2 State Championship on Wednesday, is also set to move up. The Rattler’s enrollment is at 282, which would put them in Class 3A D2 in 2024. Will Tolar continue its dominance?
Fort Worth-area teams falling down
Fort Worth Dunbar turned in an enrollment of 897, which is well below the cutoff of 957 students. The Wildcats, a team that lost the District 6-4A D1 title game 14-7, would move down to Class 4A D2 after a terrific season.
Fort Worth Paschal turned in an enrollment of 2215, which would move them from Class 6A to Class 5A D1. The move could be beneficial for the Panthers, who struggled in a heavily competitive District 3-6A in 2023.
With Paschal heading down, Fort Worth ISD no longer has a school in the top classification.
Fort Worth Southwest is also moving down. The Raiders submit an enrollment of 1,253, which falls short of the Class 5A D2 cutoff of 1,315 students.
Saginaw Boswell is staying put in Class 6A with an enrollment of 2,564. Saginaw Chisholm Trail, however, did not not meet the enrollment cutoff with 2,204 students and will make the move to Class 5A D1.
Keller Fossil Ridge barely missed the Class 6A cutoff with an enrollment of 2252 students. The Panthers had a 3-7 record in 2023 in Class 6A and could use a fresh start in a new environment outside of District 4-6A.
Fossil Ridge will separate with fellow Keller ISD schools Keller Central, Keller and Keller Timber Creek. Those schools will stay in the the top classification.
Mansfield Timberview and Mansfield Summit submit enrollments of 1843 and 1789 students, respectively. That would place both schools in Class 5A D2.
Mansfield Summit was already in Class 5A D2 in 2023. Mansfield Timberview, on the other hand, was a strong contender in Class 5A D1 until a bi-district round playoff loss.
The Timberview wolves could greatly benefit from the change of scenery and could be a top contender in the new classification.
This story was originally published December 11, 2023 at 4:51 PM.
CORRECTION: The article originally stated Aledo’s state championship game was on Thursday. Aledo will play Comal Smithson Valley at 7 p.m. on Friday.
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