Thursday was the day the University Interscholastic League heard appeals from school districts, and it brought big news for District 22-5A.

The district has become a nine-team league with the addition of Livingston. The Lions join Baytown Lee, Central, Lumberton, Nederland, Ozen, Port Arthur Memorial, Port Neches-Groves and Vidor for football. A decision where Livingston plays all other sports will be made at a later date.

Livingston appealed to the UIL about being in District 10-4A Division I because incorrect enrollment numbers were given to the governing board. The new numbers were enough to bump the Lions up a

Livingston’s arrival in the district also means the other eight teams have to readjust their non-district schedule.

The move also hurts the district schedule of 10-4A DI schools. The district includes Bridge City, Cleveland, Huffman Hargrave, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Navasota and Silsbee.