UIL Realignment: Tatum, Gladewater Have New Home in 3A

Tatum and Gladewater could see the benefit of moving down a class in 2018.

Both teams were in 4A Division II in 2017, but will join each other in District 8-3A Division I next season. The seven-team district is comprised of Mineola, Sabine, West Rusk, White Oak and Winnsboro.

West Rusk looks to be the strongest team in the district, finishing 2017 with a record of 10-2, falling in the playoffs to eventual state champion Newton. Tatum finished just 3-8 and was ousted in the first round of the playoffs, while Gladewater missed the postseason entirely.

But with the competition lessened for both in 2018, it wouldn't be surprising to see improvements.

9-3A Division II provided a lot of good games for fans in recent years.

The district, however, will be split up in 2018. Arp and Troup both make the move to 10-3A Division II where they join Harmony, Alba-Golden, Grand Saline and others.

Meanwhile, Elysian Fields and Waskom will head to 11-3A Division II. New Diana, which made it to the regional final in 2017 is also in that district. Waskom looks to improve on a season in which it finished 9-5 and fell to eventual state champion Newton in the regional final.

Jefferson makes the move to 7-3A Division I, where it will be grouped with Mount Vernon, New Boston, Hughes Springs, Atlanta and more. Jefferson finished 10-2 in 2017, but was ousted in the second round of the playoffs.

Mount Vernon finished 11-1, also falling in the second round.

Defending 3A Division II champion Newton joins 12-3A Division II, where it should have no trouble winning games. The Eagles return a lot of important pieces from 2017 and seem poised to make yet another run at a championship.

For the complete list of new districts for the 2018 season, click here.