Mavs, Eagles don't need a move to 4-A

     Eagle Pass Sports Central (http://eaglepasssportscentral.com)has an interesting poll concerning the upcoming realignment for U.I.L. competition. As the site points out, in about 5 months new district configurations will be announced, and both Eagle Pass schools might have enrollment sizes qualifying them for 4-A status with the option of remaining 5-A.
     You can visit the website where Morris Libson recounts several scenarios for both the 4-A and 5-A possibilities. The accompanying reader opinion poll shows 70.5 percent of respondents think both schools should choose class 4-A if the enrollment numbers provide that option. About 16 percent say we should stay in 5-A even if we have the choice of 4-A, and about 13 percent say one school should be 4-A and the other one remain 5-A.
     I’m surprised that so many people want to see our schools in 4-A. To me the district we’re in with the Laredo schools has worked well. EPHS has finished highly in several sports, and, given time to grow its programs, Winn should have better showings in the future. All teams at each school, I think, begin their seasons with a realistic expectation of reaching the playoffs, so it’s not like we’re constantly feeling overpowered like 3-A Zapata probably felt when they were in our district with us and Laredo. Now, THEY had a good case for going back to a lower category, even though it meant more inconvenience and longer bus rides.
     The decision will probably be made by administrators with the most weight given to what’s best for the kids academically (such as which choice means less late-night travel on school nights), followed by financial considerations, and finally what it means as far as wins and losses.
     Sports fans, I’m sure, unfortunately would like the win/loss factor to be the main consideration in this decision. I also think many people support us being 4-A because they see it as a shortcut to either less competition or less talented competition. It seems to be a common habit everywhere that to increase their chances of winning, our athletes and the adults organizing them shop for competitions where few teams enter or where they know that the teams that will enter are low caliber.
     For example, an EP cheer squad some years ago had the choice of going to San Antonio or the Valley for regional competition. They chose the Valley because only one other team would be there. Also, the top two squads would advance, so they got an easy ticket to nationals just for showing up to one competition. So, often when I hear that a group has won “state” or advanced to “nationals,” I kind of roll my eyes, because I know it has little meaning. Sometimes they have beaten some serious competition – and those people have my respect – but at other times they have just waltzed right in.
     Our high school teams should compete at 5-A, the highest level, unless they’re seriously struggling, which they aren’t. That way, we know when we get far into the playoffs or through to a state tournament, we have beaten the best, and the honor will carry more prestige than it would for a 4-A team.
     I’ve been wrong before, of course, but I predict in the end that we will maintain something close to the status quo – both schools at 5-A in a district with Laredo schools. In February, the outcome will be known and I might be eating crow.