UIL 9-5A D1 Preview: La Porte, Port Arthur Memorial & a Loaded District

District 9-5A Division I may be the most compelling district in the Houston area this season — and possibly in the entire state, regardless of classification. That's the assessment from Dave Campbell's Texas High School Football contributor Matt Steph, who broke down a district that pulls together programs from across Southeast Texas and puts them on a collision course for a limited number of playoff berths.

La Porte enters 2026 as the district favorite, returning seven offensive starters and five defensive starters from a team that went deep in the 2025 playoffs before a second-half collapse against Weiss ended their run in the first round. The Bulldogs were a regional finalist in 2024, falling to Angleton at NRG Stadium, and that postseason hunger is expected to fuel this group. Running back Sean Simon is among the top backs in the country, sophomore quarterback Josh Wells and wide receiver Peyton Smith are both Division I prospects, and tight end Ryker Reynolds — a four-year starter — is committed to Pittsburgh. La Porte is also transitioning away from its traditional wing-T toward a more pro-style attack, and if a young sophomore running back emerges to share the load with Simon, the offense could be difficult to contain.

Port Arthur Memorial, which reached the area round last year before running into eventual state champion Smithson Valley, graduated heavily on offense. Four Power Four signees are gone, the offensive line took significant losses, and the quarterback position will be young. Playmakers like Jim Marquis Hudson, Darryl Jacobs, and Pierre Gray give the Titans talent, but the depth questions are real. Steph gives La Porte the edge in what figures to be the district's marquee matchup.

The battle for the remaining playoff spots is where this district gets particularly interesting. Goose Creek Memorial drops down from 6A after going 4-6 last year — yet still ranked among the state's most improved programs under first-year head coach John Cleveland. With 16 starters back and quarterback Rico Richards coming off a 31-touchdown season, the Gators should be a factor. Baytown Sterling (5-5 in 2025) returns 14 starters under second-year head coach Spencer Anthony, with defensive edge rusher Justice Broussard drawing attention as one of the more athletic pass rushers in Texas. Quarterback Noah Benitez, an eight-game starter as a junior, is expected to take a step forward.

Beaumont Westbrook looks primed for a move with quarterback Cam Anderson leading the offense, while Beaumont United also brings back significant production. Lufkin, under second-year head coach Carl Roper — formerly of Barbers Hill — finished second in district and reached the area round in 2025, and their home-field advantage in East Texas makes them a difficult road trip for any opponent. New Caney drops down from 6A and is expected to be improved in year two under their current staff, with sophomore quarterback Peyton Lopez returning after starting as a freshman.

Steph's early summer prediction for the district standings: La Porte, Port Arthur Memorial, Lufkin, and Beaumont Westbrook — with the acknowledgment that two or three legitimate playoff-caliber teams will be left out when the season ends.