Editor’s Note: The El Paso Times continues its 2026 high school football countdown with No. 19 Austin. Practice began Aug. 3 for teams, that did not have spring practice and begins on Aug. 10 for teams that did have spring practice. The opening weekend for games is Aug. 27-28.
Outlook for 2026 season
Austin will look to continue its consecutive streak of making the UIL postseason. The Panthers will seek their ninth straight trip to the playoffs behind a strong run game, a physical offensive line and a consistent defense.
Austin plays in a competitive Class 4A district, which includes Riverside, Andress, Ysleta and San Elizario. If the Panthers can improve in the passing game, a district title isn’t out of the question.
A look back at 2025
The Panthers went 7-4 and 6-2 in district play in Class 4A with wins vs. El Paso High, Mountain View, Fabens, Clint, Irvin, Bowie and San Elizario.
The Panthers lost Canyon Randall in the first round of the playoffs.
How the offense shapes up
The Panthers are run heavy and will lean on running backs Joel Castaneda and Elijah Rubalcaba, fullback Roberto Flores and quarterbacks Chris Leyva and Mason Ruybe.
How the defense shapes up
Castaneda will help lead the way at defensive back, Flores and Leyva eoll help anchor the linebacking core, Jonathan Villalobos will help at defensive end and Carter Davis will be a leader on the defensive line.
Tony Pineda and Kemoni Cooley are listed as athletes and head coach Eric Pichardo is known to play his players at multiple positions.
What Austin coach Eric Pichardo says
“We have another strong group of hard working kids. We have a strong culture here,” Pichardo said. “We have a tough district, but we’re going to work as hard as we can and play as hard as we can.”
What Austin players Roberto Flores, Joel Castaneda, Christian Leyva said
“Expect us to be tough and we are a family. We come as one,” Flores said. “We all help each other out and push each other to be better.”
Added Castaneda: “We’re looking great, we are mentally locked in. The culture is left for us from past players and they have left a strong foundation.”
Added Leyva: “Culture means everything to us. We want to pass it down to the younger players.”
Austin’s 2026 schedule
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Will strong run game, physical play lead No. 19 Austin to playoffs?
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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By Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
