PIRATES SET TO FACE NEW RIVALS WITH LATEST UIL REALIGNMENT Crandall is coming off its first two years in 5A competition.
that more travel was likely as Kaufman County growth
The UIL realigns districts every two years based on high
continues impacting CISD and neighboring districts. Now
school student enrollment. This year’s 5A student numbers
the Pirates know their travels will steer primarily north when
ranged from 1,300 to 2,224. Crandall HS enrollment stands
district competition begins next fall for the 2022-23
at 1,544 students—almost 230 more than the tally in 2020.
school year. The UIL announced in February that Crandall
Football will log the most miles of all sports. While home and away games have not yet been set on the
will join Denison, Greenville, Lucas
2022 schedule, double-digit mileage
Lovejoy, Melissa, Mesquite
separates the Pirates from the high
Poteet, Princeton, and
school campuses of all their
Terrell for football in
opponents—Terrell (17 miles),
District 7-5A, Division
Greenville (47 miles),
2. Also announced
Lucas Lovejoy (51 miles),
were baseball,
Princeton (54 miles),
basketball, soccer,
Melissa (63 miles) and
softball, and volleyball
Denison (99 miles).
realignments. Crandall
One school that
will compete in District
is Lovejoy. The Leopards
Ennis, Forney, Lancaster, Red
quickly have become a perennial
Oak and Terrell.
power in all sports, advancing last
“Our kids and coaches are excited to travel and face new competition,” said Kyle Hardin, CISD head football coach and athletic director. “We have been on a new journey the past couple of years with our advancement into 5A and this simply follows in that same path. Lots of new chances for our young men and women to grow and advance athletically and academically.”
40
immediately draws attention
14-5A with Corsicana,
about the district and having the opportunity
30
Crandall ISD entered this year’s UIL realignment knowing
year in football to the state quarterfinals before losing to eventual state champion South Oak Cliff.
“Every week will be tough for our boys and girls in all sports, and we are set to embrace the challenges coming our way,” Hardin said. “There is lots of tradition as you look around our district. We are excited to add ours to the mix as we continue growing into 5A.”
50 Spring 2022 • Crusader •
13
