By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com

Austin High might emerge as the real winners from the UIL’s February realignment.

How? It comes down to a numbers game.

Though 6A powerhouses Westlake, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs remain on the district schedule, navigating a seven-team district to end a six-year postseason drought could favor a team returning nine offensive and eight defensive starters.

“I think this is the best chance since I’ve been here,” said head coach Bernard Riley, entering his third year at Austin High.

Players share Riley’s optimism about the Maroons’ playoff chances for the first time since 2017.

“Coach Riley has been building us up for this since he got here,” said senior running back Bryson Batts. “I think we for sure have a chance this year.”

Senior guard Joel Pozos added, “A lot of us started as sophomores, so we have a lot of maturity. We’re hungry.”

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The numbers favor Austin High.

Four teams from 26-6A will make the playoffs. It’s almost certain that Westlake, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs will take three spots, barring multiple upsets. That leaves Austin High battling Bowie, Del Valle, and Akins for the final postseason berth.

“When I first came here, I wasn’t really worried about beating Westlake and Lake Travis,” Riley said. “For us to get in the playoffs, Bowie is always in the way. I think Bowie is our rivalry… at the end of the day, you have to beat Bowie.”

Austin High did just that last year, along with victories over Akins and Del Valle. However, a single point—a 20-19 loss to Buda Johnson—kept the postseason drought alive for the Maroons.

With the Jaguars now in District 29-6A after UIL realignment, Austin High’s playoff drought has its best chance of ending in 2024.

“We gotta beat Bowie, Akins, and Del Valle,” said senior quarterback John Latham. “It’s hard to beat a team twice in a row, but I think we have the team this year to do something special.”

The Maroons have had some luck with Bowie in recent history, going 3-2 against the Bulldogs over the last five years. Last year’s game was close, with the Maroons winning 31-27.

However, before circling that Nov. 1 date with Bowie on the calendar, Austin High might not want to overlook the district opener against Del Valle. Of the three teams the Maroons expect to battle for the final playoff spot, the Cardinals are the only one with a winning record against Austin High in the last five seasons.

It’s hard to predict how the season will play out, but the Maroons have postseason aspirations, and the common theme around summer camp is that all the pieces are in place.

“Since I’ve been at Austin High, making the playoffs has been the goal,” said senior tackle Jack Bisson. “This is the best chance we’ve had since I’ve been here, and I think we’ll get it done this year.”

Austin High opens its season at House Park against New Braunfels Canyon on Aug. 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

The Austin Sports Journal Summer Tour

Editor’s note: This is the eighth installment of the Austin Sports Journal’s summer high school football tour. Through Aug. 23, the ASJ is visiting high school football teams all over the Greater Austin Area as they prepare for the 2024 season, which begins Thursday, Aug. 29.

Past stops

Monday, Aug. 5: Anderson, Pflugerville and LBJ

Tuesday, Aug. 6: Weiss

Wednesday, Aug. 7: Hutto

Thursday, Aug. 9: McCallum

Friday, Aug. 10: Lago Vista

Saturday, Aug. 11: Smithville

Thursday, Aug. 15: Westwood

Friday, Aug. 16: Austin High

Michael Adams is the publisher and owner of the Austin Sports Journal. Reach him at madams@austinsportsjournal.com, and follow him on X @MichaelAdamsASJ.