THS will see familiar foes after realignment

MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas-For the next two season, Texas High will be facing the same opponents it faced the past two years in district play minus one obvious exclusion.
While Longview-the only team that has beaten the Tigers on the gridiron during district play the past two years-moved up to 6A and out of the district, the remainder of the conference remained intact, despite prognosticators and projected alignments suggesting there would be major changes coming Texas High's way when the University Interscholastic League biennial realignment was announced.
The rest of District 16-5A is the same as last year's 15-5A: THS, Mount Pleasant, Hallsville, Pine Tree, Marshall, Sulphur Springs and Greenville. The district will remain the same for other sports as well.
"I've been in this too long to listen to rumors, but I did," Texas High athletic director and head football coach Barry Norton said. "I had heard nine-team leagues, and different ways to make the leagues in East Texas. So I was surprised when there was little change. It turned out good; I like the district. It will be a competitive league. Obviously, a seven-team league puts you in a different situation as far as scheduling possibilities."
The UIL realignment did switch who the bi-district playoff opponents will be for playoff qualifiers.
District 16 postseason participants will play against qualifiers from District 15, which includes Highland Park, Forney, Mesquite Poteet, North Forney, Royse City, West Mesquite and Wylie East.
"We were really surprised that Jacksonville, Lindale, Whitehouse and those teams went in Region III, and we're sitting there in pretty much the same district, minus Longview," Mount Pleasant AD and head coach Corey Homer said. "We're very familiar with those district teams, and I think it will be a good district to be in again."
Texas High was ready for whatever possibilities the announcement brought forth for the school.
"We prepare for every scenario we possibly can," Norton said. "We're still looking for one game (to open the season). The problem with us is that Week 1, Arkansas and Louisiana can't play that early, and nobody wants to schedule because we might end up in the same district. We're still struggling to find that one, and if we find that one we'll have a good schedule. Right now, we like what we have, and it's going to be a competitive district again. I'm excited about there being some familiarity and history with other teams."
Most of Region II-5A is filled with Dallas Metroplex-area schools, outside of District 16.
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District 16-5A
(Football and basketball)
Texas High
Mount Pleasant
Greenville
Hallsville
Pine Tree
Marshall
Sulphur Springs