Every two years, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) realigns districts for every school in the state. On Feb. 3 when UIL made the announcement, Legacy moved to 6A Region 2 District 11.
District 11 contains Cedar Hill, Dallas Skyline, De Soto, Duncanville, Mansfield High, Mansfield Lake Ridge, Waxahachie and Legacy. Many have regarded District 11 as “The District of Doom”, because of the presence of consistent state powerhouses such as Duncanville, De Seto and Cedar Hill. Coach Collin Lackey joined Legacy’s football staff this year as the special team’s coordinator as well as being the offensive tackles and tight ends coach.
“It’s a tough district with great teams, players, coaches, and tradition but I believe Legacy is one also,” Lackey said. “I think our last district had a lot of good teams. The difference this year is that the teams we will play are traditionally contenders for a state title.”
Last season, Legacy competed in 5A Division 1 District 4 and the football team finished with a 1-9 record. 5A cuts off when a school reaches a population greater than 2,224 students. When Legacy submitted its student count in October, the school had a count of 2,467 students.
“There was also a scenario that we would end up with the Arlington schools, [but] to me, I don’t really care who we play,” Lackey said. “Whoever that is better get ready.”
The district realignment affects all UIL activities, academic and athletic. Legacy ranks top 10 in the state while competing in one of the toughest 5A districts. Coach Cornelius Mitchell coaches varsity boys basketball and has already scheduled multiple top-level 6A opponents in the preseason to ease the adjustment.
“Anytime there is change it typically brings a form of excitement,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s important that we use this change to emphasize that change is a part of life. Those that adapt to accommodate change often find new forms of success.”
Dallas Skyline (11) and Duncanville (6) rank in the top 15 populations in Texas. Duncanville houses 4,642 students while Skyline houses 4,297, both more than 1,800 than Legacy. For Head Football Coach Jeff Hulme, 6A is familiar territory. Hulme won the 6A state championship at Waco Midway in 2017.
“The district is a good one,” Hulme said. “I think it is a great challenge and I feel we will rise to it. We will hold our own and this will make us a better team and program.”
The realignment affects all UIL activities at Legacy, academic and athletic, boys and girls. Girls volleyball ended their season first in their district for the first time in nine years, with Coach Amanda Shingleton leading them to a 12-2 record.
“It’s going to be a strong district,” Shingleton said. “Anytime you jump levels though, I think that’s to be expected. [They are] definitely adding in not just bigger schools, but also pretty athletic and talented [schools].”
A map of all UIL districts can be viewed on the UIL website. Last season, Mansfield Summit football team finished with a 6-1 district record and a second-place district finish in Legacy’s district. However, Summit moved down one division to 5A Division II rather than moving up to 6A with Legacy.
“It’s no secret that those are some great teams,” Lackey said. “I don’t spend too much time thinking about them. My concern is our team. We need to spend more time and effort on what we are doing. Once we do that, we will be fine. It’s never about them, it’s about us.”
