By Michael Adams
madams@onthesidelinesports.com

Weeks after the University Interscholastic League announced its biannual realignment, an appeals committee is set to hear appeals from seven schools to change districts on Tuesday. All schools can appeal their district placement, according to UIL rules.

One of those schools is Smithville, which was placed in District 14-4A-Division II with Wimberley, Lago Vista, Salado, Jarrell, Gonzalez and Geronimo Navarro.

Smithville ISD is appealing to join District 11-4A-II in football only, which includes La Grange, Giddings, Caldwell, Bellville, Madisonville and Sealy.

The school district is not appealing their placement for other sports, which is 22-4A and includes La Grange, Giddings, Caldwell, Bellville and Navasota.

Travel is the basis of the appeal for Smithville. The school district might have a good argument.

A move to District 11-4A-II would shorten travel for the Tigers football team significantly. The average trip in 11-4A-II would be 58.5 miles for Smithville. The furthest trip would be to Madisonville, which is 112 miles from Smithville.

Whereas in District 14-4A-II, the average trip for Smithville would be 72.4 miles, with the longest trip being 80 miles to Salado.

Smithville has traditionally been placed in a district with La Grange and Giddings. This is the first time in more than 30 years – the furthest records available – that Smithville was not placed in a football district with La Grange and Giddings. The three schools are long-time rivals with each other and only separated by 20 miles each way.