NOTES: This story was originally titled “Titans recovering from storm.” Contact number for author has changed.

Tropical Storm Harvey washed out a week of local high school sports but also strengthened the resolve of local teams in the process.

Port Arthur Memorial football coach Kenny Harrison said Saturday his players have “gradually” returned home with their families in the wake of what was Tropical Storm Harvey.

“We’ve been touching base with them the last couple of days,” Harrison said.

The Titans were to begin the season Saturday evening at home against Dallas Bishop Dunne, but that game was called off earlier in the week as Port Arthur endured heavy flooding beginning Tuesday.

Three games were to be held at Memorial Stadium on Saturday in a series known as the Lone Star Classic. UIL teams including Memorial are not pushing back their schedules and are making decisions on whether to play on a week-to-week basis.

Memorial’s next game is scheduled for Friday at Houston Westside. Harrison said he would contact Westside coach Jomaul Mason about the Wolves’ availability in the coming week.

Brandon Faircloth said his Port Neches-Groves team will begin its season this coming Friday at home against Baytown Sterling. PNG had its opener at Silsbee moved back a day before the effects of Harvey washed that game out.

“We’re excited about that,” Faircloth said. “We’re starting practice on Monday. We’ll try to get back in the swing of things and try to be a bright light for the community in this devastating time. Try to be a team that whole community can rally behind.”

Nederland coach Monte Barrow is waiting to talk with his superintendent, Robin Perez, about whether the team can travel to Dayton for its game this coming Friday. The Bulldogs’ opener against West Orange-Stark was called off.

Barrow is planning to meet with all his coaches and players who are available on Monday to assess the needs each person has in rebounding from Harvey.

“We may do a little [practicing] Monday and try Tuesday and Wednesday for sure,” Barrow said. “It’ll be totally voluntary, based on what kids got going on. It’s definitely not a priority, but at the same time, it’s something they’ve prepared a long time for. Getting to play, though, can help deal with the mental strain everybody’s dealing with.”

Harrison said about three to five players from his varsity team are still displaced in shelters outside of Port Arthur.

“Once our computer system is back, we’ll contact and reach out to all those kids,” Harrison said, adding the team will meet next week at a date to be determined about plans going forward. “I’ll contact all the kids one day next week.”

Port Arthur ISD has not announced a return date for classes as of midday Saturday. The district, in a Facebook statement on Thursday, asked parents and their families to return to the district when feasibly possible.

Westside is the last scheduled non-district opponent for Memorial. The Titans compete in District 22-5A, where each team plays eight league games. The first scheduled district game for Memorial is Sept. 22 at Beaumont Central, following a bye week.

Memorial volleyball coach Bianca Dixon said she’s been in contact with all but two of her players, some of whom have evacuated to Dallas. Her team was to begin 22-5A play Tuesday night at Livingston, but those matches can be rescheduled.

“We have until Oct. 27 to complete our district schedule, so we have time,” Dixon said.

Sabine Pass coach Jason Thibodeaux could not be reached about his football team’s status. Many of Sabine Pass’ students live outside the district thanks to an open-enrollment policy.
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I.C. Murrell: 549-8541. Twitter: @ICMurrellPANews