Realignment puts Yoe in competitive football district

The Yoemen will face one of the hardest district lineups in the state starting in 2022. The UIL announced realignments last week and they will remain in District 11-3A, but with a few new foes.

District 11-3A will have Academy, McGregor, Rockdale, Troy and defending 3A Division 1 State Champions Lorena, and will add defending 3A Division 2 State Champion Franklin to the mix. 

“I think it is an advantage that the district did not change very much,” Yoe Coach Rick Rhoades said “One of the things you have to do in every realignment to start collecting film on your new opponents. With the district not changing much, it makes that job a little easier.”

“Bringing Franklin into the district solidified the fact that we have the toughest 3A district in the state,” Rhoades said. “It just reinforces the fact that you are going to have to come ready to play each and every week. But the advantage is that if you can come out of this district and make the playoffs, you should be play-off ready.” 

The Lady Yoe volleyball team will not be moving anywhere as they will remain in District 19-3A. They will have many familiar opponents: Lexington, Little River Academy, Rogers, and Rockdale. They will losing Caldwell to 4A and in their place they are getting three new teams. Two of them are McGregor and Troy. 

“Troy and McGregor will bring competitors and experience,” Lady Yoe Coach Maria Gonzalez said. “Coach Melancon (Troy) did an incredible job with that program and is now led by another great coach. We played McGregor in preseason this past year and it was a battle.”

The other is Lorena, who defeated Cameron in the regional quarterfinals and went all the way to the state semifinals last season. 

“I believe with the new realignment, our district is going to be one of the most competitive and toughest districts,” Gonzalez said. “Six of the eight teams went to playoffs last fall and advanced at least to the second round. With that being said, I believe that the team we have coming back, with five seniors will be a challenge for teams in our district as well. We were so blessed to have been led very well by our senior libero (Kirsten Marin), and we have athletes that are excited to get the opportunity to compete against some of the best. Something we have been trying to instill is that true competitors thrive on competition, and I am expecting nothing less from our group every single match.” 

Gonzalez is ready for the challenge of sharing the district with two Top 10 ranked teams in Lorena and Lexington. It will be a district season like no other and she believes her team will also be ready to accept the challenge.

“Something that was sent to me as soon as realignment was released was ‘to be the best, you gotta beat the best’ and I believe that is true,” Gonzalez said. “I am excited for our team to have the opportunity to compete at a high level and for these five seniors at a last chance to make their mark in this program.” 

Last there is the basketball teams. Like the volleyball team, the Yoemen and Lady Yoe will not be switching regions or districts. They will remain in District 19-3A. 

They will have many familiar opponents in Lexington, Little River Academy, Rogers, and Rockdale. They will also be losing Caldwell to 4A and in their place they are getting three new teams. Those new opponents will be McGregor and Troy, and Lorena, who defeated Cameron in the area round of the playoffs last season. All of these changes will remain from 2022-2024.