HOUSTON – Never before has so much been on the line.

For the past nine years when New Caney and Porter have met in their annual rivalry game - the Battle Line on 59 - the only thing that has been up for grabs is bragging rights – which the Eagles have claimed every time.

Also up for grabs, the ownership of a four-foot tall trophy – which is a Highway 59 sign on top of a wooden base with the name of the game's previous winners on the side.

This year's winner will get that trophy to display in their fieldhouse for the next 365 days and the community bragging rights that comes with it. But also goes to the winner a gold football as the District 9-5A-DI Champion.

Like I said, never has this much been on the line.

"Kind of felt like it could come to something like this," New Caney coach Brady Pennington said. "What an exciting time for New Caney ISD to have both their high school's playing for a district championship in the Battle Line game. We just wanted to get better as the season progressed and trying to be playing our best ball going into the playoffs.

"What a great game right before going into the playoffs to test your kids."