Refugio football fans will do a lot more traveling during the district season this year.

The UIL realignment committee announced changes to the district alignment Monday morning. Refugio is in the district with Hebbronville, Freer and Kingsville and Riviera.

District 16-2A, Div 2 includes Skidmore-Tynan, Banquete, Freer, Hebbronville, Kingsville Academy, Premont, Riviera Kaufer and Refugio.

Woosboro ISD, in 16-A Div. 2, will compete against Pettus, Agua Dulce, Benavides, Bruni, Falls City and Runge.

Refugio Athletic Director Jason Herring says he’s excited about the UIL realignment because the Bobcats will now play schools closer in size to Refugio.

Refugio is aligned with schools in the 200 to 290 enrollment category. Refugio currently has approximately 250 students.

“That puts us right in the middle,” Herring said. “We won’t have to play schools like Daingerfield, which is in the 290 to 420 category.”

UIL rules only allow 10 games per season so Refugio will only play three games before district play begins.

“The only surprise is that there will be eight teams in our district,” Herring said. “I kind of figured we’d be going south.”

One less playoff game will be played, since only two teams from each district will move into the state playoffs.

Woodsboro Athletic Director Brad Vickers said he somewhat expected the changes.

With only two teams getting to advance to the playoffs and with more teams in the district, obtaining a playoff berth will be a little more difficult.

“We’ll just do what we need to do,” Vickers said.

The changes will remain in effect for 2010-2011.