The University Interscholastic League announced their 2024 realignment this winter and the Mavericks saw their football neighborhood change yet again.
Since dropping to their current classification, Marshall has seen the likes of Greenville, Sulphur Springs, Texas High, Mount Pleasnt, Lindale, Jacksonville, and Nacogdoches come and go in the biennial shuffle.
This time around the Mavs bid farewell to Pine Tree as they drop down to the 4A Division I ranks. This ends a 22 year grudge match with the Pirates that started in 2002.
Meanwhile the Jacksonville Indians returned to the 5A ranks for the first time since 2021 after they spent the last two seasons in 4A Division I.
The rest of the district remained intact with the usual suspects of Texas High, Mount Pleasant, Whitehouse, Nacogdoches, and arch-rival Hallsville.
Texarkana is the three-time defending district champion headed into the 2024 season while Marshall has finished as the runner up the last three seasons behind the Tigers.
Whitehouse has become an annual playoff team, finishing in third place three of the last four seasons.
Nacogdoches and Mount Pleasant have battled it out for alternating playoff berths the last few seasons, proving to be worthy opponents.
The next unexpected twist in the alignment was moving the Southeast Texas 5A Div II district from Region III into region II.Â
This changes the playoff landscape in the first round for East Texas. Instead of Bi-district games Vs. Dallas metroplex schools, we will see the likes of Huntsville, Port Neches-Groves, Montgomery, Nederland, and Dayton.
The Season kicks off August 30th.
District 7-5A
Marshall
Texas High
Nacogdoches
Whitehouse
Mount Pleasant
Hallsville
Jacksonville
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