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MOVING DAY: How does UIL Realignment change the dynamics of SETX?
Port Neches-Groves is the undisputable king of Southeast Texas football.
So, where do they fit after realignment?
The Indians move to District 8-5A DII, which is a TOUGH district with the likes of Hunstville and Lake Creek, who they beat in the Regional Finals and Semis last Fall. Southeast Texas counterparts Nederland and Dayton will also be heading West to round out the district with Splendora, Montgomery and new school West Fork.
District 9-5A DI is a bus trip nightmare, especially for a Tuesday night volleyball game. Beaumont United, West Brook, Port Arthur-Memorial and Barbers Hill will be travelling to Angleton, Galveston Ball and Baytown Sterling.
In District 10-4A DI, Bridge City, Hardin-Jefferson, Huffman-Hargrave, Liberty, Livingston, Lumberton, Little Cypress-Mauriceville and Vidor make up a close-knit district. Lumberton is a program on the rise, while LC-M could also be a power in this conference.
District 9-4A DII is a blood-bath with former state-power West Orange-Stark and talents Jasper and Silsbee leading the way with Hamshire-Fannett, Tarkington and Shepherd looking to challenge.
Kirbyville and East Chambers lead District 10-3A DI. Orangefield will welcome a new head coach. Anahuac, Buna, Hardin and Coldspring-Oakhurst round out the district. Coldspring is the move-in as Tarkington moves out.
In District 12-3A DII, it will be a battle between Kountze, Newton, Trinity, Warren, Woodville, Anderson-Shiro, New Waverly. Newton won the district and reached the Regional Finals, followed by Anderson-Shiro and New Waverly. Coach Drew Johnston has a power-program rolling at Newton.
Lovelady moves out of District 12-2A DI, opening the door to Deweyville, Evadale and Hull Daisetta. This has turned into a big district, however, as Colmesneil, West Hardin, West Sabine and Sabine Pass round out the district.
Splendora's Marcus Schulz leaves for Humble job
HOUSTON - Marcus Schulz is leaving Splendora to take the head coaching job at Humble High School, which Schulz first confirmed to VYPE on Wednesday afternoon.
"It was a perfect kind of match," Schulz said. "Moving up is something that you want to do but it's got to be the right situation not just for me but for my family and for everybody involved. The administration there does a tremendous job from Troy Kite, Jana Williams and Paul Hinson on making sure the programs in Humble ISD are taken care of.
"It's exciting knowing the success and prestige at Humble High School has had and the athletes that have come through Humble. It's exciting to get to the 6A level, it's exciting to play at that level with a lot of good teams. We'll get in there, get our hands dirty as quick as possible and try and get things rolling."
WE WILL ALWAYS SEE RED! @Athletics_SISD @SplendoraISD pic.twitter.com/9lnjUcJt2A
— Coach Schulz (@blitzemD) May 19, 2021
Schulz spent the last seven seasons leading Splendora, arriving prior to the 2014 season.
In his first season, the Wildcats went 1-9 but then he got the ball rolling. In the next few seasons the Wildcats, waded through the jump to 5A for two seasons and then went back down a classification. In 2018 went an impressive 10-2 and won the district championship, which was their first since 2007.
"It's meant a lot being my first head coaching and athletic director job," Schulz said. "The way the community embraced me and the way they sold out the We See Red brand was amazing. The athletes that I have had the last seven and a half years and made this place such a special place will always hold a special place in my hear. I'm excited and glad that I'm going out knowing that Splendora High School, Splendora Athletics and Splendora ISD is in a better place than when I got here."
Schulz replaces Charles West at Humble High School. West left for an athletic administration spot inside Spring Branch ISD earlier this spring.
"The first step for me and my staff is making sure that we're building those relationships with our athletes from the get-go," Schulz said. "Getting in there and learning my kids and knowing who our athletes are and what we have."
The Wildcats played in the ultra-tough District 21-6A with the likes of four-time 6A State Champion North Shore, 2018 State Finalist Beaumont West Brook, 2016 State Semifinalist Atascocita, CE King, Summer Creek and Kingwood.
"This district is one of the toughest in the state in my opinion," Schulz said. "So, going into that we've got work to do but I don't think that anybody on the staff is afraid of a little bit of work. They'll see we care about them and we'll go win some ball games."