As the Public School Softball season is wrapping up, it's time for fans to pick who they believe should have the honor of being the VYPE HOU Public School Softball Player Of The Year Fan Poll! Be sure to get your vote in!
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Shadow Creek defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad enters his final season of Texas high school football with a new jersey, a new environment, and the same relentless approach that has fueled his career.
One of the offseason’s biggest storylines was Muhammad’s move from South Houston to Shadow Creek, a transition prompted by his father accepting a job within the district.
While changing schools presented a new challenge, Muhammad’s adjustment has been anything but difficult — quickly finding his footing with the Sharks.
“I love it there,” Muhammad said. “The guys welcomed me right away when I moved over, and I’m excited to keep building with them, make plays, win games and chase a State championship. I’m just trying to have fun and enjoy my final journey through high school.”
Muhammad’s path to becoming a standout defensive presence began long before the Friday night spotlight. It started in little league, where his size introduced him to a higher level of competition at an early age.
“My football journey started when I was in little league,” he said. “I actually always had to play up because I was bigger than everybody else in my grade, so I had to play with the 2026 class growing up.”
That early adjustment helped shape the athletic foundation Muhammad continues to rely on today — one that extends beyond football. Basketball has also played a significant role in developing the coordination and footwork that separate him on the edge.
“Basketball definitely helps translate to the football field with my coordination and my footwork, especially for my size,” Muhammad said. “A lot of people with my size aren’t always coordinated, so basketball really helps with that and most definitely translates to football.”
As Muhammad enters his final season, he understands the viewership that comes with being one of Shadow Creek’s standout defenders — and he plans to turn it into an advantage.
“I plan on just being disruptive on the field and using that target on my back,” he said. “If people are focused on me, it lets other people get free and make big plays, and I think that’s going to be the main factor for us to make a deeper playoff run.”
That selfless mentality shows the mark Muhammad hopes to leave with the Sharks before beginning his next chapter at Michigan. More than individual honors, he wants his time at Shadow Creek to be remembered through the culture he helped strengthen.
“I want to leave a legacy where people never forget about me,” he said. “Every year they bring me up or compare future players to me and talk about how I impacted the team.”
At 6-foot-4, Keyon Hemphill-Woods has a presence that speaks for itself. Yet the Columbus senior’s identity is shaped by far more than his imposing frame — it’s rooted in a mindset he has carried since middle school.
That perspective comes to life through the chain he often wears during photo opportunities, which boldly reads, “Me vs. Me, Big Key.” The phrase isn’t just a trademark; it’s a reminder of the standard Hemphill-Woods continues to chase.
“My mom gave me the nickname ‘Big Key’ because I’ve been big all my life,” Hemphill-Woods said with a smile. “Then my coaches always preached that it’s ‘you vs. you.’ So I put the two together, and it’s been my motto ever since eighth grade. Eventually I got the chain, and I just thought, ‘Yeah, that’s gonna be me from here on out.’”
Hemphill-Woods’ self-driven approach has elevated him into one of the state’s premier talents along the offensive front. Primarily known as an interior force, the senior has proven more than capable of sliding outside to handle bookend tackle duties when called upon. His adaptability and physicality earned him District 12-3A Division I Offensive Lineman of the Year honors last fall, paving the way for his commitment to Texas in April.
As a team, the Cardinals turned in an 11-3 season a year ago, highlighted by a Region III Final appearance. Though former district rival Yoakum denied Columbus the opportunity to defend its 2024 UIL state title, all signs point toward another pursuit of the throne — especially with Hemphill-Woods protecting the trenches and quarterback Adam Schobel directing the offense.
The featured standouts of the 2026-2027 Columbus Cardinals football teamMatt Powell (VYPE)
Still, the path to becoming “Big Key” wasn’t built overnight.
“Freshman year was a time for me to learn from the seniors in front of me and recognize the work ethic that goes into training,” Hemphill-Woods said. “I needed that because during my sophomore season (2024 State Championship), I had to put it all on the floor as my first year starting on varsity. At this point, I look at it like I have to play at a college level now — not just as a senior. I gotta go bigger and better, show up for my teammates, and represent Columbus as a whole.”
That same confidence extends into his everyday interactions, where his charisma and influence allow him to connect with younger athletes and teammates alike.
“I think my character shows through how I communicate with my team, the middle schoolers, and just being myself,” Hemphill-Woods said. “I’m normally the funny, goofy type, but when it’s time to work, I’ll flip the switch and get to it. Overall, it’s about giving back to the younger groups and helping make them better, because we were them once.”
Hemphill-Woods’ Texas roots run deep, making one potential partnership a natural fit.
“I’ve always wanted to be sponsored by Whataburger. That’s just been one of my dreams,” he said, once again flashing his signature grin. “I’ve spent a lot of time and money there, so Whataburger, please help me out.”
And if that partnership ever comes to fruition, Hemphill-Woods already knows exactly what will be on the menu.
“You can’t go wrong with the honey barbecue chicken-strip sandwich, or just a regular double meat bacon cheeseburger.”
The name “Big Key” represents something more profound than size, recognition, or the attention that comes with being a Texas commit. It reflects the example Hemphill-Woods strives to set — competing against himself, uplifting those around him, and leaving Columbus better than he found it.
Stafford is coming off a season that saw the Spartans go 7-5 overall. A total of 13 starters return for head coach Ken Savanah. He wants to instill a “Championship Culture” this season in Stafford. Players to watch include Maddox Pitre, Dyllon Green, Isiah Upke, J'Qouri Hill, Corey Richardson, Aiden Seales, Denim Steed, Preston Snowden, Sean Moorhead and Jeremiah McWilliams. Keys to success will include play on the offensive line and having depth.
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The Sterling Raiders went 4-6 overall last season and 4-4 in district play and just missed the playoff picture. This snapped a six-year playoff appearance run by the Raiders. Now they move down a classification in 2026. They have talent coming back including Newcomer of the Year Aiddann Eaglin on the defensive line. First-team all-district OL Jarrett Doss, DT Morgan Williams and ILB Jacob Booth are all set to return. Second-teamers Ja’Dyn Joubert (FB), Isaiah McFarlin (DT), Walter Robinson (ILB) and Christopher Lucas (CB) are all set to return as well.
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Northside went 2-7 overall a year ago. The Panthers two wins came against Kashmere and Houston Math & Science. Northside brings back first-team all-district OL Jacoby Bonilla, second-team all-district RB Marcus Jones, CB Lamarcus Jones and kicker Jorge Lobo.
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The Willowridge Eagles posted a 1-9 overall record while going winless in district play a year ago. Willowridge returns first-team all-district DT Aaron Grant and second-team all-district cornerback Jeremiah Mills to the squad.
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The Harmony School of Innovation enters its fourth season of playing football. The Mustangs went 3-7 last year. One of the wins was via a forfeit. Their biggest win was a 42-6 victory over the Harmony School of Innovation of Katy.
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The Austin Mustangs are coming off a winless campaign in 2025. Austin has not reached the playoffs since the 2017 season. They look to get back to their winning ways this season as they make the move down from Class 5A to Class 4A. The Mustangs brings back second-team all-district WR James Brown and second-team all-district safety Mario Bordelon-Cervantez.