It’s a short drive from Aledo to Weatherford. Never before, however, have the two schools so close in proximity competed in the same district in any sport.
Until now.
On Monday, Feb. 2, the University Interscholastic League released its bi-annual realignment for football, volleyball, and basketball, based on enrollment figures. The remaining sports realignments will be announced later in the spring, but are expected to follow suit.
The Bearcats and Ladycats are making the move up to Class 6A for the first time in school history. Also, for the first time, Aledo will share a league with Weatherford as the two Parker County schools have been placed in District 3-6A beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
Joining them will be Granbury, which, like Aledo, is moving up from 5A Division I, along with Arlington schools Arlington High, Bowie, Lamar, Martin, and Sam Houston.
“A move to 6A is something we have been anticipating and preparing for over the last few years, so we are ready to start competing,” Aledo Athletic Director Brandy Belk said. “We know our student-athletes will perform at high levels no matter who they are competing against, and our exceptional coaching staff will make sure they are prepared.
“With each step up in size and classification, Aledo has risen to the challenge, and I know our move to 6A will be no different.”
Weatherford Athletic Director and head football coach Aubrey Sims called UIL realignment an exciting and challenging process, and said he is pleased with where Weatherford landed.
“Competing in this district will provide our student-athletes with strong competition across all sports and meaningful opportunities to grow,” he said. “We’re looking forward to the matchups ahead and to representing Weatherford with pride each season.”
The Bearcats have won a dozen state championships, more than any other program in the state of Texas. This includes 11 since 2009.
They will also bring a national-record 135 straight district victories and 18 consecutive league titles. They’ve not lost to a district opponent since 2007.
At first glance, it seems the Bearcats landed in a league suitable for continuing their long success. No team in the league has demonstrated any sort of dominance, with Martin coming the closest — but the Warriors have been down in recent seasons.
Bowie is coming off a district championship. Both the Volunteers and Lamar Vikings made bi-district appearances last season.
However, Bearcats head coach Robby Jones is quick to note that folks should not take anything for granted.
“Wasn’t expecting to be in the district with the Arlington schools. We are going to have a lot of tough games,” Jones said.
In pre-district contests, the Bearcats will open the season against the 2024 Class 6A Division I State Champion North Crowley Panthers on Aug. 28 at Crowley ISD Stadium. The first home game will be against Waco Midway (also the Panthers), another playoff regular coming off a 9-2 season, on Sept. 4. Then comes a trip to Pennington Field in Bedford to face longtime perennial 6A power Euless Trinity.
Before the season starts, the Bearcats will host Southlake Carroll, which has dominated at the 6A level for years. The Dragons are 127-16 over the past decade.
Meanwhile, Aledo is 275-24 over the past two decades. This includes a 16-0 record and their most recent state championship in 2023, Jones’ first season as head coach.
As for their history with Weatherford, the Bearcats lead the all-time series 7-1. The lone Kangaroos victory came in 2009, when they upset Aledo 28-27, the Bearcats’ lone loss in a state championship season.
The teams did not play at all until 2006, a 33-10 Aledo victory. The Bearcats’ largest victory in the series was 70-7 in 2020, and in their last meeting Aledo won 47-7 in 2021.
“It’ll be good to play Weatherford again. We are only 10 minutes away, so it only makes sense for us to play each other,” Jones said.
Ironically, Aledo has not ever played any of the Arlington schools in the district. The Bearcats are 9-4 all-time against Granbury, including a 61-0 victory this past season.
The Ladycats, who are coming off back-to-back state, are now in a district with three Arlington programs that have their own strong history. Arlington, Lamar and Martin have long been postseason regulars and last season was no different.
The Arlington Lady Colts reached the third round in 2025, with Martin capturing a ninth consecutive district championship.
On the girls’ side, Aledo, coming off a regional semifinals appearances, and Bowie seem to have the strongest history of late. The Ladycats currently lead District 5-5A and the Lady Volunteers appear headed for another postseason return, along with competing for the District 8-6A title.
Also, Lamar is coming off a second-round playoff appearance and is tied for the top spot in 8-6A with Martin. Granbury is also a playoff regular.
The Bearcats won the first district championship in the history of the program in the 2024-25 season. This season they have a commanding lead and entered this week undefeated in 5-5A.
Martin and Bowie both have solid postseason histories and are again on track to once again be in the playoffs.
While other sports won’t know officially about realignment until later in the spring, at the 6A level they typically follow the lead of football, basketball and volleyball. Given that, here’s a look at what teams are strongest in each of the team sports:
Baseball: Aledo is coming off a 5A Division I state championship. Arlington and Bowie are coming off second-round playoff appearances, with Martin, Lamar, Granbury and Weatherford having a history of being playoff regulars.
Softball: The Ladycats have become regulars at the state tournament and have one of the strongest histories in this sport of any team anywhere. Arlington reached the second round last season, while Martin and Weatherford can also boast of a solid history.
Boys soccer: The Bearcats are defending their 5-5A championship this season and are off to a strong start. Sam Houston, Lamar and Martin also have solid programs.
Girls soccer: Likewise, the Ladycats are going for a second straight district title. Arlington has a strong history, as does Martin and Weatherford, with the Lady Roos having only four losses since the start of the 2024 season.
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