On February 2, 2026, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) officially released its new district alignments, confirming Akins High School’s place in Conference 6A for the 2026-2028 cycle. While the opponents may be changing, the mindset inside Akins athletes and coaches remains the same.
With Akins High School having a snapshot enrollment of 2,359 students—comfortably above the 2,215 threshold for 6A—this placement leaves the school in the 6A Division I bracket. The Eagles will once again find themselves competing at the highest level of Texas high school sports, but the landscape of District 26-6A will look significantly different.
The Big Swap
The most notable change is the “Big Swap”: state powerhouses Westlake and Lake Travis are exiting the district. In their place, I-35 neighbors Johnson and Hays high schools are moving in to join District 26. For Akins, this means a more localized schedule and, according to many on campus, a more balanced playing field.
Fortunately, Akins isn’t focusing on numbers, classifications, or opponents but rather on preparation, growth, and the “Eagle Grind.”
Coaching Perspectives
Baseball head coach Tony Degelia made it clear that the new alignment doesn’t change his approach to the game.
“In my personal opinion, no. It doesn’t change what I do or how I prepare, because the game of baseball is the same wherever you go,” Degelia said. “No matter if you travel across the country, your backyard, or across the world, it’s still a round baseball with red laces.”
While previous districts included strong powerhouses like Westlake and Lake Travis—who combined for nine state football titles since 2000—the realignment gives Akins new opponents as other schools move up. To Degelia, the names on the new schedule don’t matter as much as the readiness of the team on game day.
“Regardless of who you play against, depending on the time of that day, if those kids are ready to play, it’s going to be whoever can play the best that day is going to win, and whoever is not ready is going to lose,” Degelia said.
Volleyball coach Amanda Thomas, who is the Akins Athletic Coordinator, shared a similar sentiment, noting that the departure of perennial state contenders creates a fresh psychological spark for the program.
“I think that seeing the district without powerhouses that have gone to state year after year after year is really going to motivate our kids to put in the extra work to get better and compete with the teams that are now in our new district,” Thomas said.
Thomas also emphasized that the “Eagle Grind” must remain a year-round commitment.
“Off-season, summer—it’s a year-round battle, but really starting now to get ready for next year,” she said. “Be the underdog, work hard, get bigger, get faster, show up and show out.”
Football Head Coach Jerry De La Huerta echoed the focus on internal development over external changes.
“I’m not too worried about the rivalries. I’m more concerned and focused on our kids’ growth,” De La Huerta said. “We can’t control the teams we play, but we can control the growth of our kids.”
Athlete Reactions
The shift in the district hierarchy is being felt by the players as well. Junior athlete Julian Martinez described his initial reaction to the revised list of opponents as pure excitement.
“My first reaction was that I was hype. That’s two more wins on the board for the Eagles,” Martinez said. “To us, it doesn’t change anything. We’re still going to work hard and do everything we can to win.”
Martinez noted that the team is feeling more confident heading into the off-season.
“The playing field is very evened out now,” he said. “It’s a new district for everyone and we’re ready to just really change the culture.”
Junior Joseph Gonzalez, who plays football and baseball, was equally confident about the upcoming season, particularly regarding the new competition from Hays and Johnson.
“I feel like football and baseball are going to make the playoffs next season,” Gonzalez said.
Looking Forward
While the “South Austin Classic” against Bowie High School remains a cornerstone of the schedule, the addition of Johnson (enrollment 2,976) and Hays brings physical, rising programs to the 6A level.
The move is expected to reduce travel time, moving away from trips to North Lake Travis and focusing on the I-35 corridor. As the community prepares for the 2026 season, the message from the coaches to the fans remains simple: support.
“Show up for your kids,” Degelia said. “We need more fans in the stands regardless if we’re winning or losing… in games that are close, the fans can make a difference.”
As Akins prepares for a newly structured 6A district, the message across campus is unified. The alignment may change. The schedule may look different. But the Eagle Grind remains constant. For Akins, that grind represents more than competition, it represents growth, belief, and a program determined to make a change.
