Winder surprised by alingment, still working to fill out schedule

Cervetto guesses region wrong again, but pleased with outcome

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Dublin head coach Bob Cervetto is all for his new district and the Lions hope to still be alive come spring break. || Flash photo library

By BRAD KEITH
TheFlashToday.com

STEPHENVILLE (February 1, 2018) — From the UIL biennial realignment Stephenville head coach Greg Winder received nothing he expected and the one thing he wanted least.

Stephenville won’t be defending its Region I-4A Division I championship but instead is headed to Region II of the same division as a member of District 5-4A along with fellow 2017 state semifinalist Waco La Vega, 2016 semifinalist China Spring, Brownwood and Gatesville.

“:When they put it up on the wall and that’s what it said I was shocked. I was not expecting that at all,” said Winder, who went to Birdville High School in North Richland Hills, where many coaches from Region II and some from Region I have for years gathered at Birdville Fine Arts and Athletic Complex. “It has to be one of the toughest districts in the state, no doubt.

“There isn’t going to be anything easy about that district so we can’t take it easy as we get ready for it,” added the All-Big Country 4A-6A Coach of the Year who guided Stephenville from four wins in 2016 to the final four in 2017.

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Indeed, his club won’t be taking it easy. Not with the brutal non-district schedule he has laid out. Even two games from completion it reads like murderer’s row:

Midlothian Heritage. Argyle. Abilene Wylie, Everman.

If a team can go though those four undefeated, sign them up as a title contender, not just in 4A but 5A, too.

“It will probably be (Friday) before the schedule is officially set,” Winder said.

Heritage lost by only two to Kennedale in the regional semifinals the same night Stephenville beat No. 3 Argyle by three. Everman needs no introduction to Stephenville followers, nor does Abilene Wylie.

“We need two more games. We had Waco and Brock, but they had to drop us because of the size of their districts,” said Winder.

Dublin head coach Bob Cervetto still can’t pick the best region to spend realignment day. In fact, even being represented at two locations he can’t get it right, but he’s still pleased with the outcome.

The Lions won’t find the going easy against 2017 quarterfinalists Comanche or Jakcsboro in District 6-3A Division II, but the rest of the district isn’t as deep as what Dublin is accustomed to with Tolar, and Millsap and Rio Vista.

“It’s an opportunity but it’s always an opportunity,” said Cervetto. “We’re always excited to get in there with a couple new teams and know we have an opportunity to go out and be competitive and maybe do something special.”

Cervetto released his first five games, while a district committee will set the final five and district bye dates.  The opening five opponents atevHico, Albany, De Leon, Brady and Breckenridge.

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