The District Assignment Appeals Committee of the University Interscholastic League this morning approved Lufkin ISD’s request to move the Panthers varsity football team from District 7-5A (Division 1) to District 9-5A in the 2024-26 seasons.
Lufkin is expected to be a part of a district that will include Barbers Hill, Baytown Sterling, Beaumont United, Beaumont West Brook, Galveston Ball and Port Arthur Memorial. The committee also approved moving Angleton from District 9-5A to District 11-5A.
“This move will significantly decrease the amount of miles our students travel and subsequently the amount of lost instructional time at school,” the Lufkin school board said in a statement. “The LISD Board of Trustees would like to thank Deputy Superintendent Kurt Stephens for taking action on behalf of our kids and community. Thanks Mr Stephens for your leadership and advocacy!”