State powers Southlake Carroll, Euless Trinity and Coppell were all unbeaten in district play during the last alignment cycle.
"Well, those days are done," Carroll coach Hal Wasson said Monday morning after the UIL's realignment announcement.
Carroll, Trinity and Coppell - all ranked in the top 10 of SportsDay's final 2013 area rankings - have been lumped together with Colleyville Heritage, Haltom City, Hurst L.D. Bell and Richland in a powerful new District 7-6A.
It is the first time Carroll and Trinity have been paired together, despite only 10 miles separating the two schools.
"It was bound to happen sometime with us being that close," Trinity coach Steve Lineweaver said.
Carroll and Trinity have played three memorable playoff games since 2006. Both teams were reigning state champions when they squared off at Texas Stadium in 2006, and Carroll rallied to win 22-21. Carroll won again in 2012, but Trinity came out on top of a back-and-forth, 42-38 victory in 2013.
The trio of powers at the top of the district will leave four teams scraping for what figures to be only one available playoff spot.
Colleyville Heritage and Hurst L.D. Bell have been playoff mainstays for several years. Heritage has been to the postseason every year since 2006, and L.D. Bell since 2010.
"It's a real tough district," Heritage coach Mike Fuller said. "We think we're pretty good, too."
L.D. Bell coach Mark Smith was enthusiastic about the challenge.
"I'm ready," he said. "Let's go. Spot the ball. If you want to be the best, you have to play the best."
Carroll, Trinity and Coppell combined to go 64-13 during the last alignment cycle. Carroll has been to six state championships since 2002 and won five. Trinity has been to four during that same span and won three.