Last Thursday, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) announced their biennial reclassification and realignment. The San Saba Armadillos dropped from 2A to the 1A classification. The last time the Armadillos were in class 1A was the 1981-1982 school year. The district consisted of Dublin, De Leon, Early, Bangs, Ranger, Cisco and Eastland as opponents for San Saba.With 1A split into divisions like 2A, the district opponents this time are close in size to San Saba. There are some familiar faces to the Dillos and a newcomer. San Saba is now in district 5 1A division 1. Joining the Armadillos in the district are the De Leon Bearcats, Goldthwaite Eagles, Hico Tigers and Santo Wildcats. The coaches from the schools met this week to decide the schedule but it was not available at press time. De Leon opened the season for San Saba in 2008 and 2009. The Bearcats were district opponents in 2001. San Saba has a 10-7 overall record against De Leon.Hico was also in the district in 2001. The Tigers last played San Saba in 2003 and hold a 5-1 record over the Armadillos.Goldthwaite is a very familiar rival and the schools have played every year since 1953. The 60 year string is the second longest in school history behind the 62 consecutive years that San Saba faced Llano. The Eagles were a district opponent until they dropped to 1A in 2004. The edge overall goes to San Saba at 59-32-4 but the Eagles have dominated in recent years.Santo is the newcomer to Armadillo football. The Wildcats are just north of I-20 near Mineral Wells and have a railroad track just beyond the south end of the field. It should be a fun game with the distraction of train whistles.The tentative non-district schedule opens with scrimmages against Ozona Lions at a neutral site and Comanche Indians. The regular season opens with another newcomer to Armadillo football in the Tolar Rattlers. Next on the list is the Early Longhorns. Early is back after a 2 year absence. The Hamilton Bulldogs come up next. The schools played in 2011. Also back from 2011 are the Ballinger Bearcats. The following week will be an extremely tough test in the 1A division 1 state champions of Mason. The Punchers faced San Saba in 2009. Finishing off the non-district season is the Bulldogs from Thorndale. Thorndale is the third newcomer to Armadillo football in 2012. Schedules cannot be finalized until appeals to the UIL are heard. The date for hearings is February 20. The district for all other sports is slightly different as the UIL puts all 1A schools over 100 students in division 1 and those under 100 in division 2. For these sports, San Saba is in district 12 division 1 with Goldthwaite, Hico, De Leon, Meridian and Valley Mills.Good luck to the Armadillos in all sports.