After three weeks of anticipation, Stratford finally got the realignment result it wanted.

On Thursday, the University Interscholastic League granted the Spartans' appeal to join District 18-5A in all sports.

When the UIL released its biennial realignment Feb. 1, Stratford was originally placed in District 23-4A with Bay City, El Campo, Foster, Lamar Consolidated and Terry. The Spartans were dropped to Class 4A because the enrollment number they turned in (2,056) was just below the 5A cutoff (2,085).

In 18-5A, they rejoin fellow Spring Branch ISD schools (Memorial, Northbrook and Spring Woods) as well as Alief Taylor, Elsik, Hastings and Strake Jesuit.

"Logistically it's a whole lot better for us," Stratford football coach and athletic coordinator Eliot Allen said. "We're pleased that the UIL took the opportunity to listen to our appeal."

Stratford was among eight schools around the state to appeal their placement.

The committee granted appeals made by Dripping Springs, Hereford and San Marcos to move into their requested districts in all activities except football. Dripping Springs moves from District 25-4A into 26-4A, Hereford goes from District 4-4A to 3-4A and San Marcos switches from District 27-4A to 17-4A.

The other four schools — Laredo Johnson, Laredo Cigarroa, Laredo Nixon, San Antonio Highlands — had their appeals denied.

With Stratford staying in 5A, District 23-4A is left with just five teams.

"Right now we are scrambling to find games," said Lamar Consolidated ISD athletic director Mike Rice. "We have to go back to redo the draw for district play.

"We have that dreaded open date. We will have an organizational meeting the first of next week."

Allen said Stratford and Spring Branch ISD are glad the waiting is over.

"We're just excited to know where exactly we're going to be so we can start planning and getting ready for next season," he said.

The new District 18-5A
Alief Taylor
Elsik
Hastings
Memorial
Northbrook
Spring Woods
Strake Jesuit
Stratford

The new District 23-4A
Bay City
El Campo
Foster
Lamar Consolidated
Terry