Change is inevitable and on Feb. 1 the University Interscholastic League (UIL) announced the newly rearranged divisions across all sports. Timber Creek is now paired up against Keller Central, Keller Fossil Ridge, Keller, Southlake Carroll, Northwest Eaton, Denton Guyer and Northwest Nelson in district 5-6A.
Head Football Coach Kevin Golden, shares the tone of the team since realignment, “Athletes of this age are always excited by new challenges. They have embraced the new district while old coaches have a more difficult time.”
The UIL realignment is reliant upon geographic location. In Texas alone there are greater than 1,400 schools. This year realignment was dependent upon a new mapping software, which allowed UIL staff to gain immediate feedback for the amount of times each time would have to travel. UIL media coordinator Kate Hector, shares how long the process takes.
“It started when schools submit their enrollment numbers on Snapshot Day in October. In December, the conference cutoff numbers and preliminary enrollment figures were released. The district assignments were released on February 1,” Hector detailed.
Entering into a new district seemingly may hinder the opportunity to envision a chance for playoffs, but with new opportunity arises new challenges. Junior running back, Blake Irving, voices his thoughts on reaching playoffs.
“This year is no doubt going be a challenge, but we will be ready to go [against] new opponents, our playoff chances have [improved] tremendously.”
In previous alignments, Byron Nelson and Timber Creek have been long time rivals. In the 2015-2016 season Timber Creek won against Byron Nelson in the coveted “Beat Byron” game.
“[The rivalry] has had time to fade a bit,” stated Golden, “but I am sure it doesn’t need much of a spark to rekindle.”
As the class of 2018 is graduating, the current underclassmen are now rising to the occasion with new challenges ahead. Going against different teams, will mean re-envisioning the strategies and plans from earlier seasons.
“Going into my final year of football at TC, I want to become a better leader vocally and by example,” Irving stated, “Entering senior year, all I want to happen this year is to have fun. Once we start having fun success will follow.”