Columbus, Hitchcock will battle for DISTRICT 12-3A-DI title; Halletsville, Yoakum not far behind
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Columbus Cardinals
Hitchcock Bulldogs
Hallettsville Brahmas
Yoakum Bulldogs
Hempstead Bobcats
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VYPE's PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Adam Schobel, Columbus
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Lloyd Jones III, Hitchcock
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: John Schobel, Columbus
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Keenan Wilson, Hempstead
ON THE CUSP: Yoakum Bulldogs
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After going undefeated throughout all of the 2023 regular season, Columbus proceeded to advance three rounds deep into the 2023 playoffs, ending up with a record of 12-1. Fortunately for coach Matt Schobel and company, the Cards bring back a plethora of returning stars to build on that impressive performance. All-state quarterback Adam Schobel (TCU-commit) is back to command the offense, which will have some key pieces missing, but district first-teamers Braylon Fisher (So. WR/DB) and Anthony Shorter (Sr. TE/DE) should be skilled weapons for him to utilize. On the defensive side, Adam’s brother, John Schobel (Sr. DE/TE) is also committed to TCU, and is coming off a year inwhich he was named the district’s Defensive MVP. He will be joined by Brody Vinklarek (Jr. LB/RB), Camdon Pitchford (Sr. DB/WR) and Rylan Carruthers (Sr. LB), just to name a few.
Hitchcock went 9-2 last season, which featured the team’s third-straight trip to the playoffs. The Bulldogs will look to make it four in a row, under the direction of head coach Craig Smith, and they have the unquestionable talent to back it. Co-District Offensive MVP Lloyd Jones III (Texas Tech-commit) returns as the signal-caller, with first-team wideout Kelshaun Johnson (Texas A&M) serving as his primary target. Senior WR/DB Chase Bruton also possesses numerous D1 college offers, and will be a force on both sides of the ball, alongside Jared Dotson (Sr. RB/LB) and Albert Ruben (Sr. OL/DL). Meanwhile, expect first-teamer Terrell Allen (Sr. LB) and Newcomer of the Year Corey Hardy (Jr. DL) to bolster a formidable Hitchcock defense. Move-in Malcom Simpson (Nebraska-commit) will also be a huge addition.
Hallettsville isn’t far removed from their State appearance in 2020, in which they swept the district prior to reaching the big game. Most recently, the Brahmas went 7-4 to finish third overall, which should have them fired up for another run at the title. Coach Levi Montgomery will turn to the recognized talents of Jorian Wilson (Sr. QB/TexasA&M Baseball-commit), Aiden Drozd (Sr. OL/DL), Carter Blaha (Sr. LB), Brody Psencik (Sr. OL/DL) and Mycole Pegoda (Jr. ATH) to see that goal come to fruition.
Despite going through a series of ups and downs over the past few seasons, Yoakum still manages to find ways to punch their ticket to the playoffs, and this year should be no different. X’zavier Barnett (Jr. WR) is coming off an impressive Fall performance that saw him earn first-team, all-district honors. Additionally, Jamar Hopkins (Sr. WR), Trae Cuellar (Sr. RB/LB) and Oliver Ortiz (Jr. OL/DL) will be ones to watch on offense. Defensively, Ryder Harris (Sr. DL/FB) should be a key figure to keep an eye out for.
Hempstead finished at the bottom of last year’s district standings, and it’s likely that more of the same will be seen in 2024, given the competitive nature of this particular division. However, that doesn’t mean this campaign will be without its bright spots. First-team selections Jamarion Mickle (Jr. WR/DB)and Jimmie Toliver (Jr. WR/DB) both make their return, alongside Keenan Wilson (So.ATH/DB), Lane Demuth (Sr.QB/LB), Dylan Garfield (So.DB/WR) and J’Leon Watts (Jr.WR/LB).