Austin Akins Eagles
Head Coach: Jerry De La Huerta (1st season)
Last Season: 4-6; 0-6 in district
Returning Lettermen: 15 (8 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)
Akins Key Players and Storylines
Akins is coming off its winningest season in four years. However, the Eagles are still looking to snap a 33-game losing streak in district play.
Jerry De La Huerta officially takes over after serving as the interim coach for the final six games of last year following Joey Saxe’s departure to serve as Corpus Christi ISD’s assistant athletic director.
The Eagles have a good mix of experience and potential with 13 returning starters joined by some promising sophomores. Tight end Jojo Gonzalez (202 receiving yards) was the Eagles’ leading receiver a year ago. He’ll be joined by sophomore Noah Hall, who has “big-play ability” and versatile sophomore Isaac Word, who could either play quarterback or receiver.
🦅EAGLES NEST: new head coach Jerry De La Huerta hammering the details as Akins enters new District 26-6A Region IV chapter @AkinsEaglesFB #TXHSFB pic.twitter.com/hSmoUHvUig
— VAR (@var_austin) August 11, 2026
Defensively, safety Nico Lutz-Carillo (31 tackles) will lead the unit from the back as a returning all-district player, while sophomore nickel Dante Emelue is ready to make an impact. Up front, senior defensive end Jackson Strobel (11 tackles, five TFLs) is a disruptor off the edge.
On paper, the Eagles won’t be as strong going into this season this year as they were a year ago, but De La Huerta is excited about the young talent that will get its chance to shine this fall. He’ll look to continue to develop those players as Akins aims to become more competitive in district play.
Akins Eagles 2026 Football Schedule
*Denotes District 26-6A Contest
8/28 @ Lehman at Shelton Stadium
9/4 vs. LASA at Burger Stadium
9/11 @ Leander at Bible Stadium
9/18 @ Austin Crockett at Burger Stadium
*9/25 vs. Dripping Springs at Burger Stadium
*10/2 @ Del Valle at Cardinal Stadium
*10/16 vs. Buda Johnson at Burger Stadium
*10/22 @ Austin at House Park
*10/29 vs. Bowie at Burger Stadium
*11/5 @ Buda Hays at Shelton Stadium
