JUNCTION, TX — The Junction Eagles made program history last year when their football team started 13-0 for the first time ever.
Now they’ve set their sights on a new first — winning a third straight district title.
Junction has never claimed three consecutive district championships, but they’re the favorite in District 14-2A Division II, according to Texas Football.
It’s easy to see why after a combined record of 25-3 the last two seasons with back-to-back trips to the state quarterfinals.
The Eagles enter this season ranked No. 11 in the state, but they also have to replace most of the starters from last year’s team. They return only two on offense and four on defense.
Head coach Scott Freeman, who is heading into his sixth season with the team, said this year’s group is a bit more experienced than they look on paper.
“Last year, we had a lot of injuries. Almost every week, we had a starter or two out. So a lot of the kids we’re relying on, they stepped up in a huge way last year in our biggest games,” Freeman said. “So we have a lot of key pieces back. It’s just putting them where they need to go.”
Freeman has overseen Junction’s rise from a two-win team in 2022 to a program that by 2024 was celebrating its first district title in 21 years.
Last season was highlighted by a 27-16 win over Mason — the first time the Eagles beat their rival since 2006. Junction again lost to Shiner in the state quarterfinals, but the game was tied at halftime before Shiner pulled away for a 22-6 win.
Shiner has moved up to 2A Division I, but Junction still has the top-ranked team in the state, Bremond, in its region.
Leading the way for this year’s team is Koda Bierschwale, who was first-team all-district on both sides of the ball. He had 90 tackles and four interceptions as a linebacker, and he produced a combined 723 yards of offense as a utility back.
The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder with 4.6 speed is expected to take over as the starting running back.
The Eagles also have some returning playmakers in wide receivers Casen Roberts (20 catches, 522 yards, 8 TDs) and Hunter Dale. Both players have a ton of varsity experience as they’ve been starting since they were freshmen.
Junction will have a new quarterback as Coke Murr is taking over for two-year starter Chasen Doyal.
“He’s been the backup the last two seasons on varsity, and he’s kind of been waiting patiently behind Chasen,” Freeman said. “He’s finally getting his shot and, so far in practice, he’s making the most of that.”
Another newcomer expected to make an impact on offense is junior Kaleb Carroll.
“He’s kind of going to be our utility player. He’ll see time at tight end, running back and wide receiver. He had a great spring and a great summer, so I’m excited to see what he can do this year,” Freeman said.
The biggest question mark for Junction’s offense is an offensive line that graduated all of its starters.
“We lost everybody we had, but saying that, we do have two returners who played a lot last year,” Freeman said. “Leo Silva started our first five games before a knee injury. … And then Nate Perez got a lot of playing time last year as well.”
The defense — which allowed just 9.1 points per game last year — will have to be rebuilt. The secondary should be a strength with defensive backs Roberts (79 tackles, 6 interceptions) and Dale (27 tackles, 5 INTs) back, along with Murr, who saw significant time at safety.
Silva will move from the defensive line to linebacker and has grown into a team leader, Freeman said.
“It’s tough anytime you lose that many (starters),” Freeman said. “I think through the first few games we’ll be moving guys around and trying to find the right pieces, but I think we’ll be fine.”
Junction will be tested with a strong nondistrict schedule that includes games against Goldthwaite (No. 13 in 2A D-II), Ozona (No. 16 in 2A D-I) and Mason (No. 5 in 2A D-I).
Junction will then take on a district with Brackettville, Harper, Sabinal, D’Hanis, La Pryor and Center Point.
The Eagles’ bye week won’t come until the final week of the regular season.
“I think the goal right off the bat is to win a district championship. We want to be the first team in Junction history to win three straight district championships,” Freeman said. “And then after that, we want to play on Thanksgiving and in December again. Once the community and the kids have that taste in their mouth, it’s hard to get rid of it. It’s not only the goal, it’s what the expectation is going to be here now.”
Junction Eagles
2026 schedule
Aug. 28 at Goldthwaite
Sept. 4 Iraan
Sept. 11 Ozona
Sept. 18 Mason
Sept. 25 Harper*
Oct. 2 Brackettville*
Oct. 9 D’Hanis*
Oct. 16 at La Pryor*
Oct. 23 at Center Point*
Oct. 30 at Sabinal*
Nov. 6 OPEN
*District 14-2A Division II game
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