I hate to chime in, but we have been around for several years and have been a part of Division II and Division I. We have had the good fortune to play in the state game in several different locations, when it was split and when it wasn't so I am going to just voice my OPINION.
In 1997 Borden County won it's first ever state title, only 1 division and the State game was played at Abilene Wylie. So, it truly felt like we were the STATE champions since it was only one division and at the time all state games found a neutral site and played the game so this was a truly amazing atmosphere. Interesting enough, the most exciting game of that journey was actually the 2nd round game against Grandfalls Royalty. That game to this day that game, played at Garden City is one of the loudest most exciting games we have ever been involved in during my 32 years of coaching.
In 2006, the UIL split 6-man into two divisions. Having played in the one division conference and having some success and now coaching (assistant - not head coach), in 1997 state championship game we were initially not very excited about the split. But, after going thru a difficult non-district schedule full of Division I teams (we were division II in 06-09), and then getting to our district schedule and having some success, in fact we played 3 rounds deep getting beat by the eventual state runner-ups. This success and seeing the excitement our kids, our community, and our school exhibited during this time made me change my opinion a bit. Success has a tendency to make everything about your school year go by faster, less issues, etc.... Fast forward a couple of years and we make it to the state game, in 2008 we played Woodson who was playing in their second state title game with virtually the same team as the year before in their narrow loss to Motley County at San Angelo. We played Woodson at Frenship for the state title. This game was a 45 job. The next year, we played Highland in a double header at Shotwell stadium. Our game was a defensive dream game with the final being 28 to 14. This incidentally was the lowest scoring game in six-man history, which was followed by the highest scoring game as Garden City beat Strawn 122 to 88 (I believe this is right). I truly believed that our division II teams were every bit as good as the Division I teams that year. The next year, we were bumped up to Division I, we graduated a good portion of our team that season and Garden City the defending champions only graduated 1 or 2 (again I believe this is correct). So fresh off of being on top in Division II we were now 4 students over the number and playing division I ball. We played the eventual repeat state champions twice that year and lost to them 40 to 39 and 44 to 42. (My point here is, in my opinion, the top teams in Division II can compete with the top Division I teams, I just believe that there aren't as many Division II teams that are on the Division I level if that makes sense). I believe GC beat Throckmorton at Shotwell in Abilene.
Fast Forward to 2015, when there was talk of trying to allow the Six-man game play at the same site as the 2-6A schools, but also having many folks talk about leaving the game at Shotwell for the state title game. As Coach Matlock eluded too, Shotwell is a Stadium you can play any round game there and that's just what we did in 2015 to show that we could play there any day and that Playing at a venue like the 11-man teams were playing at would be a very neat experience for the kids. So, in 2016, the UIL listened to our proposal of same site, same time and they brought the six-man games to AT&T. As a coach and a huge fan of the Cowboys it was a dream come true for me, but more importantly, it was a dream come true for the kids. This is something that they will get to talk about the rest of their lives. And I can safely say, whether its, Borden County, Loraine, Benjamin, Balmorhea, Abbott, May, Jonesboro, Strawn, it was a dream come true for these communities. If we have only one division, then there are several schools, kids and communities that would never experience just how incredible this experience is for all involved. I will say this too, the UIL has treated us all just like we were the biggest 6A school as well. It just truly felt like they were excited to have us there and I truly hope they continue to allow the 6-man schools this opportunity to see 4 small communities in the State of Texas what it's like to play, coach, cheer and support their school in the biggest game of the season in the biggest stadium they will ever play in.
I am truly sorry for the longwinded typing. I am old and have probably lost my point. I do like that the game is in Cowboy stadium. I do like that we have two divisions and I hope it stays that way. I hate that we can't always get a great game on that final wednesday of the football season, but I think that can be said at every level.
Take care and God bless, I apologize for my two cents. TR
