JUNCTION, TX — There’s a different feeling as football season approaches in the Hill Country town of Junction this year.
With every starter back from last year’s 6-5 team — and a drop to Class 2A Division II — the Eagles will begin this season ranked No. 20 in the state.
Junction is also picked by Texas Football Magazine to win its first district title in 21 years.
Let’s just say the community is aware of these facts.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the team right now. You could just kind of see it when the team showed up (Monday) with the energy they had,” Junction head coach Scott Freeman said.
“And it’s not just the team, it’s the coaching staff and our community. You can’t walk into any store without them talking football.”
Junction Football (LIVE! Archive Image)
This is the kind of season Junction’s players have been waiting — and working — for the last few years.
Junction had a lineup filled with freshmen in 2021 when the Eagles went 3-7 and winless in district play.
They welcomed more freshmen the next year when they went 2-8 and won one district game.
Junction began turning the corner last season, and now those freshmen have grown into juniors and seniors this fall.
“These two classes back to back have seen a lot of adversity,” said Freeman, who is heading into his fourth season as Junction’s head coach. “Last year, we were able to put things together, and we were competitive in 9 of our 11 games and had a chance to win.
“It’s exciting being able to bring all these guys back. We told them, ‘You’ve seen the worst of the worst. You’ve had to sit there and play those senior-heavy teams. Now we’re finally that senior-heavy team.’ And that part of it’s exciting.
“It’s been a tough, frustrating couple of years, not only for us coaches, but for the players too, and not every kid sticks it out. But the ones that did are here and fired up and ready to go.”
Junction's Eagle Stadium
Quarterback Chasen Doyal is set to begin his third year as the Eagles’ starter. He had 452 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns last year, along with 787 passing yards and 10 TDs.
“We used him more when he was younger to run the ball, but I think he’s taken the next step as a passer. He’s looked pretty good in our new pass progressions, and I think he’s going to be a true dual-threat guy this year,” Freeman said.
Junction has one of the better backfield combinations in the area with Korren Hoing (1,001 yards, 8 TDs) and Aidan Cardwell (767 yards, 7 TDs).
Caden Roberts and Grant Simons will lead the receiving corps, while Brock Bierschwale could operate in a Swiss Army knife role, Freeman said.
“I think one of our biggest weapons no one really knows about is a tight end named Bode Bierschwale,” Freeman said. “He’s grown up a lot the last few years, and we’re excited to see how we can use him.”
Seniors Marco Ponce and Sergio Ochoa, heading into their fourth year as starters, will anchor the offensive line.
Linebackers Bryan Gonzales (125 tackles) and Crue Levien (93 tackles) are back to patrol the middle of the defense.
“Those two linebackers, our defense starts and ends with them,” Freeman said.
Ochoa and Bode Bierschwale will be leaders on the defensive line.
Junction’s new district consists of Brackettville, Sabinal, Center Point, Rocksprings, La Pryor and D’Hanis.
Freeman said he believes the district will be more difficult than people realize, and he set up a nondistrict schedule that includes Goldthwaite, San Saba, Early and Mason to prepare his team.
“The preseason hype is awesome, and the kids have worked for it. But they’ve got to understand they still have to show up and work hard every day, and I think they’ve handled that well so far.”
Junction Eagles
2024 schedule
Aug. 30 at Goldthwaite
Sept. 6 San Saba
Sept. 13 at Early
Sept. 20 Mason
Sept. 27 Open
Oct. 4 Rocksprings*
Oct. 11 at Center Point*
Oct. 18 Brackettville*
Oct. 26 at D’Hanis*
Nov. 1 La Pryor*
Nov. 8 at Sabinal*
*District 14-2A Division II game
2023 results
De Leon L 19-40
San Saba W 34-22
D’Hanis W 32-7
Cross Plains W 41-6
Grape Creek W 55-20
Roscoe L 14-20
Stockdale W 43-41
Harper W 41-20
Mason L 13-53
Johnson City L 22-36
Weimar L 0-55
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