Rusk to face Jasper, Alto plays Overton and Carlisle

The Rusk Eagles will face many familiar foes in district competition next year. Carthage, Center, Diboll and Huntington remain as a district as the University Intersholastic League moved all five teams into District 18-3A. Newcomer to the district will be the Jasper Bulldogs. Lufkin Hudson and Pollock Central will join the district in basketball and spring sports.

Alto will have two new foes in District 20-A. Overton and Carlisle join the ranks of Cayuga, Cross Roads, Cushing and Grapeland.

Jacksonville Indian fans will be relieved to find out that the Tribe will no longer face an eight-way battle for three playoff spots among some of the toughest teams in Texas. Still, Jacksonville faces the likes of Henderson, Kilgore, Lindale, Nacogdoches and Whitehouse in the newly created District 14-4A.

Rumors that Class 5A powerhouse Longview would move into Class 4A were validated as the Lobos join District 13-4A, along with Hallsville, Pine Tree, Marshall, Mount Pleasant, Sulphur Springs and Texas High. The winners of District 13-4A will face the winners of District 14-4A in the bi-district playoffs.

Districts containing Cherokee County teams are:

District 14-4A: Jacksonville, Henderson, Kilgore, Lindale, Nacogdoches and Whitehouse.

District 18-3A: Rusk, Carthage, Center, Diboll, Huntington, Jasper, Lufkin Hudson (no football) and Pollock Central (no football).

District 20-A: Alto, Cayuga, Cushing, Grapeland, Malakoff Cross Roads, Overton and Price Carlisle.