Frisco UIL Realignments: Wakeland Moves Up as Panther Creek Joins 5A Ranks
Photographed by: Reed Rymsza
The University Interscholastic League has announced significant changes for Frisco ISD athletics, with Wakeland High School making the jump to Class 6A and Panther Creek High School moving up to Class 5A while the remaining 10 district high schools will also compete in Class 5A for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
Major Moves: Two Schools Change Classifications
Wakeland Joins 6A
Wakeland High School becomes the lone Frisco ISD representative in Class 6A, placing them in 6A Division II for all sports. This marks a significant step up in competition level for the Wolverines, who will now face larger schools from across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Panther Creek's 5A Debut
Panther Creek High School makes its move up to Class 5A, joining the ranks of established Frisco programs. This represents a major milestone for the newer school as they transition to compete against more established athletic programs with deeper traditions and resources.
Both moves reflect growing enrollment numbers, as UIL classifications are determined by student population data collected during the annual Snapshot Day in October.
The 5A Split: Division Breakdown
The 11 Frisco ISD schools in Class 5A will see football create an additional competitive split:
5A Division I Football (7 schools):
Reedy
Lebanon Trail
Heritage
Centennial
Lone Star
Liberty
Emerson
5A Division II Football (4 schools):
Frisco
Independence
Memorial
Panther Creek (new to 5A)
Note: For all other 5A sports, Division I and II splits are determined after playoff teams are selected, not by enrollment.
What This Means for Competition
Wakeland's New Challenge
Moving to 6A represents both opportunity and challenge for Wakeland athletics:
Tougher regular season competition against larger schools
Different playoff path through 6A Division II brackets
Potential for higher-profile matchups and increased exposure
Need to compete for resources and talent against established 6A programs
Panther Creek's Step Up
The move to 5A brings new challenges for the Panthers:
Competing against established programs with deeper athletic traditions
Higher level of competition across all sports
Opportunity to build program reputation at a higher classification
Learning curve as they adapt to 5A-level athletics
5A Landscape Evolution
With both Wakeland's departure and Panther Creek's arrival, the 5A ranks see:
Fresh competitive dynamics with a new program entering the mix
Panther Creek bringing energy as they establish themselves in 5A
Traditional powers maintaining their positions while welcoming new competition
Teams to Watch in the New Alignment
6A Division II
Wakeland Wolverines
The Challenge: Adapting to significantly larger schools and more resources
Key Factor: How quickly they can recruit and develop talent to compete at the 6A level
Outlook: Growing pains expected, but long-term potential for success
5A Division I Football
Reedy Lions - Established program with consistent success Lebanon Trail Trailblazers - Newer school building competitive momentum
Heritage Coyotes - Traditional powerhouse looking to maintain dominance Centennial Titans - Strong program across multiple sports
5A Division II Football
Frisco Fighting Raccoons - The original, with deep tradition and community support Independence Knights - Consistent competitor with strong athletic programs Memorial Warriors - Building on recent successes across multiple sports Panther Creek Panthers - The newcomer to watch as they make their 5A debut
Panther Creek: The Wild Card
As the newest addition to 5A competition, Panther Creek represents an intriguing storyline:
Advantages
Fresh energy and motivation to prove themselves
Modern facilities and growing community support
Opportunity to establish new traditions at the 5A level
Challenges
Limited 5A experience compared to established programs
Building depth across all sports programs
Competing against schools with decades of 5A tradition
Beyond Football: Multi-Sport Impact
The realignment affects all UIL sports across both classification changes:
Basketball
Wakeland moves to 6A regional tournaments
Panther Creek steps up to 5A competition
Remaining schools compete in refined 5A landscape
Track and Field
Different regional meet assignments for both moving schools
New competitive dynamics at area and regional levels
Soccer, Baseball, and Other Sports
New playoff brackets and regional alignments
Fresh matchups and competitive opportunities
What's Next: February District Assignments
The full UIL realignment, including specific district placements for all 32 districts in each classification, will be unveiled in February. This announcement will reveal:
Which schools Wakeland will face in 6A District competition
How the 11 Frisco 5A schools will be divided among districts
Panther Creek's specific district assignment and new rivals
Travel implications and geographic rivalries
Playoff qualification scenarios for each sport
Historical Context and Future Implications
This realignment highlights Frisco ISD's continued growth, with two schools changing classifications simultaneously—a testament to the district's expanding enrollment and athletic development.
Looking Ahead to 2028
Additional schools may join Wakeland in 6A by the next realignment
More schools could follow Panther Creek's path to 5A
New schools opening in Frisco ISD will affect future classifications
Competitive balance will continue evolving as the district grows
The Bottom Line
The 2026-28 UIL realignment creates a fascinating new chapter for Frisco ISD athletics. Wakeland's ascension to 6A represents the district's continued growth and success, while Panther Creek's move to 5A adds fresh energy and competition to an already strong classification.
For fans and athletes alike, these changes promise new rivalries, different challenges, and exciting opportunities across all sports.
All eyes now turn to February, when district assignments will reveal the specific competitive paths each school will navigate over the next two years, including which established programs Panther Creek will face in their 5A debut.