Bangs feeling 'nothing but positive' following UIL realignment

February 1, 2024 at 1:16 pm Derrick Stuckly

Brayden Gatlin and the Dragons will tangle with Coleman, De Leon, Hamilton, Hico and Ballinger in the revamped District 5-2A Division I the next two seasons.

BANGS – “As far as Bangs goes, we feel like they treated us well and we’re in districts where we can compete. It was nothing but positive for us.”

Those were the words of Bangs head football coach and athletic director Jason Cole Thursday afternoon following the reveal of the UIL’s biennial realignment.

In football, the Dragons will be in the revamped District 5-2A Division I along with holdovers Coleman, De Leon and Hamilton, while welcoming Ballinger and Hico into the mix. Gone from the district slate are San Saba, Goldthwaite and 2023 state finalist Tolar, which has moved up to Class 3A Division II.

“It looks really good for us,” Cole said of the football district. “We love having six-team districts so you play five games and have your bye in the middle, that just makes scheduling so much easier. We’re happy to see Tolar gone. We’ve added Ballinger and Hico and we feel like we can compete well with those two.”

The Dragons’ district draw went in the direction Cole, who will be entering his second season in charge of the program, wanted.

“It went the way we hoped,” Cole said. “There were at least three different projections out there, including one that had use going the Mason and Sonora which seemed kind of crazy. As far as travel and quality of district, we feel like this is great for us.”

In all other sports, not counting volleyball, the Dragons and Lady Dragons are still in District 8-2A along with Coleman, Colorado City, Miles, Roscoe, and Winters, while Ballinger has been added to the mix there as well.

Perhaps the biggest boost for Bangs will come in volleyball as the new District 5-2A will consist of the Lady Dragons, Hamilton, Hico, Coleman and De Leon. No longer will Bangs be challenging Albany and Hawley for district championships.

“We mostly stayed the same in basketball, but added Ballinger, so we’re happy there. We feel like our volleyball district is very positive, too,” Cole said.

Turning back to football, Cole added the Dragons also have their pre-district foes tentative set – Early, Merkel, Grape Creek, Abilene TLCA, and Colorado City.

“The first three teams are 3As and we wanted to play up and play quality competition,” Cole said. “We feel like those three games we are playing up but we feel like we can compete with those teams.”