DISTRICT OPPONENTS CHANGE FOR GREENVILLE LIONS, OTHER LOCAL TEAMS

The Greenville Lions lost two district football opponents and gained a new one following Monday’s announcement by the University Interscholastic League. They’ll also be moving to a new district for the other sports that will include traditional power Highland Park, Mesquite Poteet and others. The UIL announced the realignment/reclassification information for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 athletic seasons. The Lions, who were in the nine-team District 8-5A, Division II in football will keep the same number: 8-5A-II and district opponents Corsicana, Ennis, Forney, North Forney, Royse City and Sulphur Springs. Two teams that were in the district, Kaufman and Terrell, moved down to 4A. Crandall, a former non-district opponent, is moving up from 4A to 5A to join the district. Greenville will play seven district football games as opposed to eight and three non-district games, following a more traditional schedule. “I’m glad it’s not a nine-team district,” said Lions coach Darren Duke. “The travel’s about the same.” The Lions made the football playoffs for the first time since 2003 when they finished fourth in 8-5A-II back in the fall. “My thing is, we’ll be very competitive no matter what district we’re in,” said Duke. The Lions and Lady Lions will be moving out of District 15-5A for the other sports into District 13-5A. They will only keep Royse City from 15-5A and will face Highland Park, Mequite Poteet, Crandall, Forney, North Forney and West Mesquite. “I think travel-wise it’s going to benefit our fans and our student-athletes,” Duke said of the District 13-5A. “It’s going to be a step up to be in an eight-team district (in the other sports).” Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs and Texas High of Texarkana will remain in 15-5A. They’ll be joined by Hallsville, Longview, Longview Pine Tree and Marshall. The new District 13-5A will be very competitive in all of the sports. Highland Park has won state in soccer, golf, tennis and cross country but the former state champion Scots will be in Division I for football. “I think Poteet is pretty solid in all of them,” said Duke.

DISTRICT OPPONENTS CHANGE FOR GREENVILLE LIONS, OTHER LOCAL TEAMS

Photo Credit: Greenville Athletics