Breaking Down UIL District 3-5A Division II After Realignment | DFW Inside High School Sports

UIL's latest realignment created a 17-team district structure that scattered familiar programs into unfamiliar territory, and District 3-5A Division II is one of the more intriguing results. Insiders Matt Diggs and Ward Forsold walked through the district top to bottom, and the verdict is clear: Argyle is in a tier of its own.

The Eagles return quarterback Hayes Hackney, who was ruled eligible following the split, along with a receiving corps that includes Julian Caldwell—who hauled in nearly 100 catches for 1,700 yards last season—and Jackie O'Neal, whom head coach Rogers was openly praising during spring workouts. Up front, Cole Jackman, Braxton Firestone, and Tyler Anderson anchor an offensive line that Diggs called the best in the district. Argyle also carries some extra motivation after a 20-19 loss to Melissa ended their postseason run last year.

Lovejoy slots in as a clear number two, though questions remain at quarterback. Todd Dodge, in his second year with the program, has wide receivers Coleman Rowe Array and Brody Hasson to work with, and the defense is notably improved from the high-scoring Lovejoy teams of recent years. The days of 70-60 shootouts with Argyle may be behind them—this version of Lovejoy is built to compete defensively.

Colleyville Heritage enters with more uncertainty. The program's top offensive producer transferred to Southlake Carroll, leaving a next-man-up situation on that side of the ball. Defensive lineman Isaiah Omar and two-way athlete Lucas Sunwall give the Panthers a foundation on defense, and wide receiver Trevor Fresh is a name to watch, but the offense has real questions to answer. That uncertainty opens the door for The Colony, where quarterback Jalen Gaines gives the program a legitimate shot at a playoff berth. Eagle Mountain, moving up from 4A Division II after an 8-2 season, rounds out the group competing for those final two postseason spots alongside Heritage and The Colony. Grapevine and Vita Community are projected sixth and seventh, respectively.