Local 3A football districts could change
Whitesboro, Pottsboro and Gunter could end up in the same football district next year after the UIL announced the cutoffs Tuesday for classifications and football divisions.
After building a football dynasty at Class 3A Division II level, Gunter will move to Class 3A Division I next year.
Whitesboro was close to moving to 4A two years ago when it got within 37 students, but enrollment is trending the other way now at WHS as the Cats missed the 4A cutoff by 58 students this time.
District placement will be announced on Feb. 2.
The classification cutoffs for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years are:
6A: 2,215 and above
5A: 1,305-2,214
4A: 550-1,304
3A: 246-549
2A: 105-245
1A: 104.9 and below
At the 2A level, Tioga was just nine students shy of moving up to Class 3A with 237 students.
Collinsville remained in 2A Division II for football by narrow margins as well.
CHS enrollment increased by 10 and is now within nine students of Division I.
Across Collinsville’s district, and in Cooke County, Muenster will be moving up to 2A Division I in football after exceeding the cutoff by four students.
Era and Lindsay will stay 2A Division II.
Callisburg and Valley View will stay 3A Division II.
Rams, Wildcats named to All-District teams
District 7-3A/DII football superlatives were announced Monday with several S&S Rams and Callisburg Wildcats among those honored.
Callisburg’s Gustavo Perez was named Defensive Player of the Year.
First Team Running Back honors went to Callisburg’s Gabe Zinski.
S&S Ram Joe Orr was named First Team Receiver.
Other First Team honors went to Callisburg’s Michael Christian, defensive end and Bowen McAdams, punter.
S&S standout Hunter Courville was named Second Team Quarteback and Cornerback.
Other second team honors went to Callisburg’s Bowen McAdams, quarterback; Teagan Barnett, running back; Justin Laney, center; Teagan Lindsey, tackle; and Sam Wilson, kicker.
S&S Rams receiving honorable mention nods included Barrett Achorn, Eli Nortman, Hayden Harkins, Kenny Melton, Noah Rondeau, Ruffin Brubaker and Rylan McSpedden.
Honorable Mention Wildcats include Neal Brown, Michael Wright, Wyatt Shaffer, Logan Grisham, Michael Hammer and Braddock McKnight.
Seven S&S Rams received Academic All District recognition. They were Connnor Roberts, Elisha Gentry, Hunter Courville, Jason Monreal, Joe Orr, Noah Rondeau and Ruffin Brubaker.
Bearcats booted by Bells
The Whitesboro Bearcat basketball team came up short to Bells with a 51-33 loss Friday on the road in non-district play.
Colt Fagan led the Bearcat effort with six points.
The loss took Whitesboro to 2-11 on the year.
The Bearcats were held to five points for nearly 15 minutes in the second and third quarters.
They rallied back in the fourth quarter, but it was too-little-too-late.
They look to bounce back tonight at Community.
Lady Cats come up short to Muenster
The Whitesboro Lady Bearcat basketball team fell to Muenster Friday at home with a 54-21 final.
Reagan Downs led the Lady Cat effort with six points, three rebounds and three assists.
Jentry Patterson had four points.
Emma Parish landed four rebounds.
The loss took Whitesboro to 8-10 on the year.
They opened district play by hosting Paradise on Tuesday. Results were not available as of press time.
Tioga ladies lose to Valley View
The Tioga Lady Bulldog basketball teamed dropped to 4-10 on the year after a 67-22 road loss to Valley View.
Ella Norwood led the effort with eight points and five rebounds.
Timber Johnson had eight points and four steals.
Brennan Guenther landed 13 rebounds.
Tioga opened district play at Alvord on Tuesday night.
Results were not available as of press time.
Lady Cats fall to Gunter
The Whitesboro Lady Bearcat basketball team fell short to Gunter at home last week with a 45-25 final.
Lauren Muntz led the Lady Cat effort with six points.
Aubree Bruce had five points and seven rebounds.
The loss took Whitesboro to 8-9 on the year.
They hosted Muenster on Friday night.
Gunter advanced to 9-4 and traveled to Collinsville on Friday.