EARLY – Most of the Early Longhorns’ district football rivals will be brand new the next two seasons – as well as their postseason foes – following Thursday’s UIL biennial realignment.

The Longhorns are moving to Region II of Class 3A Division II, where Early will be paired with current district rival Brady as well as Dublin, Eastland, Clifton and 2023 Class 2A Division I state finalist Tolar in the new District 5.

Early finished second behind Wall the last two seasons in District 2-3A Division II, and trades out one powerhouse with another in the addition of Tolar to the slate, which has knocked off the Longhorns the last two seasons in pre-district competition.

“You take one juggernaut and replace them with another one,” said Early head coach Daniel Price. “Tolar’s traditional good in all the sports we’ll match up with them. Competition-wise, it’s going to remain very competitive in this new district. We’re going to get away from some familiar opponents and get back into a district with a couple of opponents we’ve had in the past. We have a couple in there we haven’t seen or played, so we’re excited for the new challenge.”

While the Longhorns are somewhat to very familiar with Brady, Eastland and Dublin, Clifton is uncharted water for Early.

“I have no idea about Clifton, this will be the first time we’re going to see them,” Price said. “We haven’t seen them on film the last few years so it’ll be something brand new for us. Eastland and Brady, we’re familiar with those guys, we’ve played them in the past. Dublin we’ve seen on film and we’ve been in district with them in all the other sports, so we’re familiar with them just not on the football field. And Tolar played for a state championship so you know they’re going to load back up and have a high expectation.”

If the Longhorns reach the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year, a new crop of postseason foes await in Region II. District 6 features Henrietta, Holliday, Jacksboro, Millsap, Valley View and Wichita Falls City View; District 7 is comprised of Bells, Blue Ridge, Callisburg, state champion Gunter, Howe, Leonard and Sadler S&S Consolidated; and District 8 is made up of Blooming Grove, Dallas Gateway Charter, Dallas Inspired Vision Academy, Rice, Scurry-Rosser, and Cedar Hall Trinity Leadership.

“That’ll be interesting seeing who match up with the first time in District 6,” Price said. “That’s going to be a big one there to see how that works out. Teams are usually pretty good coming out of that region.”

Regarding Early’s pre-district football schedule, the Longhorns have lined up Bangs, Hamilton, Junction, Peaster, and Comanche, according to Price.

In non-football sports, Early remains in District 8-3A along with Breckenridge, Comanche, Dublin, Eastland, Millsap, and Peaster. The only change there is Brock out, moving up to Class 4A, with Tolar coming in.