DeSoto High School is petitioning the University Interscholastic League to stay in the 6A designation. This, despite the school qualifying to play in 5A due to its size.
It is noteworthy since DeSoto has won the 6A Division II in consecutive years.
Thursday’s tentative football district assignments, as released by the UIL,has some programs seeking to move districts.
One of those is DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas), which has seen its enrollment decline and would now fit into the 5A category. Presumably, it would be an easier path towards a state title, given that 6A is generally considered the deepest and most difficult classification in Texas high school football.
Last year, DeSoto won the state title with a 15-0 record out of the 6A Division II Region 11. Twelve of their wins last year were by greater than 20 points.
The enrollment for 6A status is for schools with a student body population of 2,275 students or above. There are 249 schools in Texas that qualify outright based on the size of their student bodies. Six programs have requested to be elevated to 6A status (of which DeSoto is one of the six schools).
The 5A designation is for schools that range in size from 1,315-2,274.
BREAKING: After winning back-to-back state titles, DeSoto submits appeal to UIL to remain in 6A.
DeSoto could have chosen to play in 5A Division I, where its shrinking enrollment put it.Read: https://t.co/oLZdgeM30I#txhsfb @SportsDayHS @SportsDayDFW @desotoisdeagles @dctf pic.twitter.com/HCLCDuUitX
— Greg Riddle (@DMNGregRiddle) January 31, 2024
In the previous cycle, the 6A schools were for a student population of 2,225 and up.
Schools have until Feb. 12 to file an appeal with the UIL. All appeals are scheduled to be decided on Feb. 20 during a hearing.
Dallas Morning News’ Greg Riddle expects the DeSoto appeal to stay at the 6A level to be granted.