Iola's Roddy McDougald had to map a path to Moody. Leon's Keith Sitton has been to Italy before for a JV game years ago, but never thought he would worry about which roads to take for a district varsity contest.

The UIL's realignment and reclassification, which was announced Monday, provides a new look, with pre-district divisions in Class A and 2A. Many of the new districts will cause significant road trips, and some left football coaches scrambling to fill schedules.

"I told my wife she needed to find me a tranquilizer and a Q-tip because I've had the phone to my ear all day," McDougald said.

Iola and Normangee stayed together but will be in a district with just five teams, forcing district byes. Somerville is one of the teams in District 12-A Division I. The others require longer road trips, at Thrall and Moody. Thrall lost a one-point game to Chilton at bi-district last season. Moody was a 2A team that finished 2-8.

"The cutoff [between Divisions I and II] was 150 1/2 [students enrolled], and we turned in 153, so I think we're the smallest school in Division I," said McDougald, whose team played Thrall and Somerville last season in nondistrict action. "I think it's a district where we can compete. I've got young coaches to drive. I ride now."

Leon is back in a district with longtime rivals Buffalo and Centerville, but half of the Cougars' district will be well to the north. Having the Bison and Tigers as district opponents wrecked havoc on Sitton's schedule. He tentatively had both set as nondistrict opponents.

Italy, currently playing in Class A, is the northernmost of those schools in a district that also includes Blooming Grove. Axtell also moves back up from Class A. Leon, Buffalo and Italy all lost in the bi-district round.

"We weren't expecting to go north," Sitton said. "We felt we would go east with Groveton, New Waverly and Corrigan. It's spread out and there's a little more travel, but it's a district where we can compete, in the football and basketball district."

Basketball districts in Class A and 2A were different from the football districts for Brazos Valley teams (for a breakdown, see the complete district list above).

Three of the five teams currently in 24-3A will help make up a new 23-3A. Playoff teams Rockdale, Navasota and Caldwell stay together, joined by Giddings, La Grange and Smithville, the only team that missed the playoffs.

Top to bottom, 23-3A might be the strongest district in the Brazos Valley. Navasota lost to eventual Division I champion Gilmer, while Caldwell was ousted by Carthage, which won the Division II championship. Carthage also defeated La Grange (12-3), but at the semifinal round. The Leopards won Region IV but move now into Region III.

While Madisonville left its former district rivals, everything old will be new for the Mustangs. They return to District 20-3A, which includes ex-district rivals Westwood, Palestine, Fairfield, Mexia and Groesbeck. Mexia was the only team to move beyond bi-district a year ago. The Blackcats lost at the area round to Carthage.

Class 4A Division II state finalist Brenham stays with four members of the current 18-4A as the Cubs change numbers to 17-4A. Magnolia, Magnolia West, Montgomery and Waller are joined by a trio of Spring Branch school district teams who have been competing in 5A -- Northbrook, Spring Brooks and Stratford.

Tradition-rich Stratford, 8-3 in 2009, brings along current 18-5A members Spring Woods and Northbrook, a combined 1-19. Spring Woods got the only victory.

As expected, Cameron moved into Class 2A Division I and will play some other teams who have a background in Class 3A -- Hearne, Marlin, Troy and McGregor. Two members of the current District 25-2A -- Florence and Academy -- are in the new district with the Yoemen and Hearne Eagles.

McGregor was unbeaten until the Division II quarterfinals, when the Bulldogs lost a 21-13 game to Callisburg.

Current district foes Franklin and Leon could first meet at bi-district next football season. The Franklin Lions join Lexington in District 12-2A Division II. The Lexington Eagles retain current 25-2A opponents Rogers and Jarrell, while Franklin will continue to play Rosebud-Lott in district competition. Thorndale climbs from Class A to make it a seven-team district.

Jarrell was the only team that failed to qualify for postseason. Rogers had the only bi-district win.

With only two teams advancing to the playoffs, most Class 2A teams were hoping to be placed in six-team districts.

Much like Madisonville, Bremond will play teams with which it has some history. The Tigers will be in District 10-A Division II and are the southernmost team in that league. Bremond will play Chilton, Wortham, Dawson, Hubbard and Frost.

Milano, Holland, Granger and Bartlett stay together, but are joined in District 13-A Division II by Burton and by Snook. The Blue Jays begin varsity football in the upcoming season. Area finalist Bartlett is the only returning playoff team.

Calvert retains one district opponent, but the Trojans now will play in 6-man Division II. They had been a Division I team. Buckholts moves with them in a District 16-A that also includes Oglesby and Star.

While Calvert will be in a smaller division, the path the championship may not have gotten any easier.

Some of six-man football's perennial powerhouse teams are not only in Calvert's division, but will play on their side of the playoff bracket. Strawn, Trinidad, Woodson, Sidney and Richland Springs will now also be in Division I.