DISTRICT 9-5A-DI: Port Arthur Memorial, Barbers Hill eager to reclaim the top spot
The stars of 2025-26 Barbers Hill Football
DISTRICT 9-5A-D1
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Port Arthur Memorial Titans
Barbers Hill Eagles
Galveston Ball Tornadoes
Lufkin Panthers
West Brook Bruins
Beaumont United Timberwolves
Baytown Sterling Rangers
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Juwaan Woodbury, Galveston Ball
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Amante Martin, Port Arthur Memorial
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tai’Yion “Tank” King, Port Arthur Memorial
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Brady Barrier, Barbers Hill
ON THE CUSP: West Brook Bruins...
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Port Arthur Memorial isn't just bringing back considerable talent – they’re bringing back motivation. Following an 8-4 finish last fall, highlighted by a 70-0 rout of Galena Park in the opening round of the playoffs, the Titans saw their season end in a narrow 36-29 loss to eventual State Semifinalist Angleton. That taste of what could’ve been is now fueling a senior-heavy squad determined to take the next step. When it comes to the rushing attack, the Titans feature a dynamic duo in the backfield with first-team, all-district standout Amante Martin and second-team selection Alex Eugene. Martin, a three-star recruit with offers from Houston, TCU, and Kentucky, headlines a ground game few defenses will want to face. Meanwhile, senior wideout Keavon Roberts (Houston-commit) is expected to take on a larger role after the departure of Semaj Pierre (Rice). Up front, the offense is anchored by senior tackle Michael Milson, another first-team pick whose college interest includes Baylor, Kansas, and Houston. Though, what makes this team so dangerous is the fact that the defense is just as loaded. Linebacker Tai’Yion “Tank” King, a four-star recruit and Texas A&M-commit, returns as a game-changing presence in the middle. He’s joined by veteran playmakers like Quarmaine Garlington and versatile DB/ATH Brock King, who also holds offers from across the Power Five landscape. With experience, size, and speed at nearly every position, Port Arthur Memorial prepares for the year with a clear goal: finish what they started.
Amid a culture shift, Barbers Hill enters the 2025 campaign aiming to build on last year’s 8-4 result and make a deeper postseason run. First-year head coach Cody Simper, fresh off a successful stint at Cy Woods, takes over a roster loaded with athleticism and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Eagles will lean on junior wideout Kaegan Morton to lead the charge after a breakout season in which he totaled 841 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns en route to first-team, all-district honors. In the backfield, junior tailback Gabriel Howard (second-team) returns following a productive season with nearly 800 rushing yards and 10 scores. Perhaps the most significant offseason addition is at quarterback. Senior Brady Barrier, a McNeese State-commit, transferred in from Anahuac and brings a dual-threat presence after accounting for 24 total touchdowns a year ago. With veteran wideouts Colby Morgan and Garner Poole also in the mix, the Eagles' passing attack could reach new heights. On defense, Barbers Hill brings back leadership and explosiveness. Senior linebacker Carson Hahn, a first-team, all-district selection, returns as the unit’s anchor, while defensive lineman Trae Clark – the reigning 9-5A-DI Defensive Newcomer of the Year – provides strength in the trenches. Furthermore, junior nose guard Bryce Jackson (second-team) and senior DB Daylon Smith round out a solid core. Also, it doesn’t hurt that the Eagles have a dependable kicker in Anthony Castillo (second-team). With a blend of returning talent and fresh energy, don’t be surprised if Barbers Hill doesn’t miss a step this fall.
Despite graduating a wave of key playmakers, Galveston Ball approaches this season with reasonably high expectations and a new voice at the helm. First-year coach Omasha Brantley, formerly the offensive coordinator at Clear Springs, inherits a program that finished 9–3 last year and reached the Area Round before a narrow playoff loss to A&M Consolidated. While the departures of District MVP Jonah Williams (Texas), quarterback Kyden Barker (transferred to Clear Falls), and other all-district talents leave some offensive holes, the Tornadoes aren’t necessarily starting from scratch. Senior WR Juwaan Woodbury (first-team, all-district) returns as the centerpiece after racking up more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns a year ago. The protection will remain steady up front, thanks to senior lineman Josiah Evans, another first-team, all-district honoree. Defensively, linebacker Cameron Thomas provides veteran instincts and physicality in the middle. Brantley’s first challenge will be retooling the offense and developing new contributors — but with a few explosive pieces still in place, the Tornadoes remain a threat in 2025.
After years of falling short, Lufkin delivered a breakthrough in 2024 – capturing a district title, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and ending the season with an impressive 10-2 record. Now, with the introduction of former Barbers Hill HC Carl Abseck, the Panthers will look to reestablish themselves as contenders in emphatic fashion. Still, expectations heading into this year are tempered by the departure of several key contributors. Much like Galveston Ball, Lufkin faces the challenge of replacing a large chunk of its offensive and defensive firepower. That said, counting the Panthers out would be a mistake. Back to propel the attack is senior running back Kenneth Waters, a first-team, all-district selection known for his burst and vision. He’ll run behind a solid O-Line, highlighted by senior tackle Justus Daniels, also a first-team honoree. On the other side of the ball, senior cornerback Keshawn Waters returns to help stabilize a unit undergoing transition. Lufkin may have lost some stars, but the foundation remains strong – and the Panthers have every intention of proving last season was no fluke.
While West Brook finished just outside the playoff picture in 2024 with a 4–6 record, the improvement under head coach Chuck Langston is hard to ignore. After struggling in recent seasons, the Bruins are trending upward – and 2025 could mark another step forward. Junior signal-caller Tam Anderson returns after being named the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year. A true dual threat, Anderson rushed for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns, while looking to improve through the air after a mixed passing season. He’ll be protected by senior lineman Devin Nabors, a second-team, all-district selection. Defensively, West Brook features key returners in junior defensive end Kailon Walker and senior linebacker Chris Landry, both second-team honorees. Senior kicker Dylan Purnell – a first-team, all-district pick – rounds out a promising special teams unit. With more experience and talent returning, West Brook looks ready to compete.
Like many other programs in the 9-5A-DI outlook, Beaumont United prepares for the fall under new leadership, with Drenard Williams taking over as head coach. A former associate head coach at Austin LBJ, Williams inherits a Timberwolves program coming off a 3–7 campaign that also saw them finish sixth in district play. Despite last season’s struggles, there’s a solid core returning. Senior Ashton Henry, a first-team, all-district utility player, offers versatility and explosiveness on offense. When it comes to the defense, senior linebacker Christerpher Norman and junior Quan Andrews bring physicality in the middle, while senior cornerback Jonas Badger anchors the secondary – with all three of them having earned second-team honors a year ago. Though some growing pains are to be expected, the Timberwolves hope to take meaningful strides in the coming months.
Baytown Sterling will look to turn the page in 2025 under new head coach Spencer Anthony, who takes over after serving as defensive coordinator across town at Baytown Lee. The Rangers finished 3–7 last season and struggled in district play but return several experienced seniors. Quarterback Jackson Favors leads the offense alongside running back Elijah Lewis and versatile playmaker Christopher Harris Jr. On defense, Reid Butler, Aiden Wallace, and Adrian Perez bring senior leadership up front. With a new voice and veteran core, Sterling hopes to reset the tone this fall.
