Akins athletes have some new district opponents to battle next year, including powerhouses like Westlake and Lake Travis after the University Interscholastic League released the awaited lists of districts.

UIL changes the alignment of districts every two years based on changes in enrollment numbers at each school. Akins was moved back to District 25 after being moved to District 14 two years ago.

District 14 was made up of Anderson, Bowie, Del Valle, Manor and San Marcos high schools. The newly remade District 25, will include Akins, Anderson, Austin, Bowie, Del Valle, Hays, Lehman, Lake Travis and Westlake high schools.

Now that Akins is in District 25, it will face eight district opponents instead of five.

This announcement comes just after both Lake Travis and Westlake went to state championships this year. Humberto Garza, head football coach and athletic coordinator, acknowledged that the new district will be a challenging one, but said that the Eagles would be ready to go next year no matter who they play.

“You know adding those two guys in there and then of course then adding Lehman, another obstacle,”Garza said.

With a new district, there also comes more games to play throughout the season. Junior Emily de la Garza said she thinks having more games is better for the team and it will give them a chance to play more district opponents on the  Volleyball court.

“I think that it’s going to give us a stronger challenge, to work together more as a team and come together,”De La Garza said.

Junior Nick Cagle, who played quarterback for the football team this year said the varsity team is in a good chance of going to playoffs with his upcoming team.

“I still think the chances are the same if not greater because we are having a lot of guys come back next year that have some Varsity experience,” Cagle said.