Quick Look: 3-5A DI

With the UIL releasing its Biennial Realignment ahead of the 2026 season, we quickly take a look at the potential impact of what each district related to the Denton County schools means.

3-5A DI for 2026-28

Azle
Denton
Denton Ryan
Fort Worth Chisholm Trail
Keller Fossil Ridge
Saginaw
Sherman

This district goes from nine teams down to seven, which will certainly make finding opponents for those two holes a fun task. The initial outlook for this district, now with Aledo moving up to 6A, is that it is a one-horse race and then everyone else.

Last year’s playoff teams were: Aledo, Denton Ryan, Richland, Brewer.

Four schools from the last realignment cycle – Azle, Denton, Ryan and Fossil Ridge – have three new bunkmates with Chisholm Trail, Saginaw and Sherman. Both Chisholm Trail and Saginaw made the playoffs but benefitted from playing some bad Fort Worth teams.

Ryan stands as the big bad wolf of this district and should be expected to see much of a drop off from Henigan stepping down to Tolleson coming on board. The only early intrigue we can spot is that fourth playoff spot between the bottom four teams.

Too-Early-To-Predict-the-Playoffs-Prediction:
1. Ryan
2. Saginaw
3. Chisholm Trail
4. Denton