Previously Legacy competed in the same conference with Duncanville and other schools with significantly higher student populations. Because of these different population groupings it led many Texas schools to have their own advantages and disadvantages within their own conference. On Aug. 1, new UIL playoff changes were implemented to all Texas 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A high schools to separate into their own two divisions by the smaller and larger population for volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and soccer. 

“It gives other schools a chance to play amongst the non-powerhouses,” Softball Coach Cade Oliver said. “It would give an equal playing ground all around.” 

For softball and baseball, the top four teams from conferences 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A advance to the playoffs. The two advancing schools with the largest enrollments, as submitted in Oct. 2023, are bracketed into Division I, and the smaller two schools are bracketed into Division II. This leads to both divisions playing for separate D1 and D2 state championships.

“It’s extra motivation, there‘s a higher chance of making it because you have two divisions instead of just one, you’re fighting for less spots,” Coach Oliver said.

Although for only soccer, conferences 4A, 5A, and 6A have these playoff changes applied to them. It’s still a one-game series and thus has two separate brackets in different divisions as well as competing for their own state championship. Thus keeping competition, it eliminates the chance of a smaller school playing a powerhouse in those conferences.

“Once you get to the playoffs, it’s a one-game show. You win it, lose it, you move on,” Head Boys Soccer Coach Sidney Danner said. “So it’s a little tough when we bi-district with the district we bi-district with, but again, you got to play somebody, so might as well get it over with,” 

Amongst the two separate divisions, they will reclassify and realign every two years to keep competition fair. This leads to consistent, frequent and demanding playoff matches for soccer teams in conferences 4A, 5A and 6A.

“If you make it to the playoffs it’s already an accomplishment,” Coach Danner said. “It’s tough no matter where you go. So in North Texas, with soccer, as long as you make it to the playoffs, you’re gonna be playing somebody tough.” 

For volleyball, the same separate district playoff rules apply for teams in conferences 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A. These conferences are still being separated into a D1 state championship and a D2 state championship.

“It does equalize that playoff potential to go deeper than if you’re thrown in with all the big dogs,” Head Volleyball Coach Amanda Shingleton said.

For volleyball programs that are smaller in their own district, placing further in their own playoff bracket is now exponentially more achievable. Going into the further rounds playing teams of similar size increases the consistency of equal games.

“Well, we have to take care of business first and get into one of those playoff spots for it to impact us,” Coach Shingleton said. “And once we are able to secure that, if we are on the smaller side, then it would benefit us, because we’d be matched up against similar schools.”

These UIL playoff changes for these various sports create more equal competition and better opportunities for smaller schools in big districts. This leads to high-grit matchups and consistently fair playoff brackets for both divisions.

“I think we should benefit from the changes if we can still have the same tenacity,” Coach Oliver said. “You know, get after it, and still try to accomplish the same goals.”