VYPE Houston 2026 Football Preview | District 11-3A DI: Columbus Reloads with Big Key, Schobel Back
District 11-3A Division I
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Columbus Cardinals
Edna Cowboys
Wharton Tigers
Sweeny Bulldogs
Palacios Sharks
Hempstead Bobcats
*Teams in bold are projected playoff contenders
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VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jack Schobel, Columbus
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Maverick Robinson, Edna
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Layden Wynn, Wharton
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Austin Martinez, Palacios
ON THE CUSP: Sweeny Bulldogs
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The Columbus Cardinals are coming off a year that saw them go 11-3 overall and reach the Regional Finals of the playoffs. As they enter this season, they will go for a ninth straight trip to the postseason under eighth-year head coach Matt Schobel (83-16). A total of 17 starters return for Schobel including Texas commit Keyon Hemphill-Woods up front on the offensive line. District Offensive MVP Jack Schobel returns to the huddle and will see time as a wide receiver and defensive back. Other key returners include three-year starter on the OL/DL in Christopher Quinn, All-State DB/WR Brennan Hicks and QB David James. Keys to success for Schobel include finding replacements for four starting linebackers and captains on the defense, developing Columbus’ passing game to complement the run game and staying healthy.
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Edna is coming off a great 2025 campaign. The Cowboys reached the Regional Finals and finished 10-4 overall. Edna won the district championship with a 6-1 mark in league play. This will be a semi-new looking district for Edna as they seek another district crown. Key returners include first-team all-district selections RB Maverick Robinson, OL Mauro Carcamo, UTL Jayron Barnes and OLB Maurice Tilman. Second-teamers include WR Aiden Lugo, OL Michael Martin and DL Mauro Murillo. Additionally, Lugo was named a first-team all-district returner.
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Wharton Tigers second-year head coach Jason Haddock eyes a second-straight playoff appearance after leading Wharton to a 6-5 mark in 2025 and a trip to the bi-district round. Wharton makes the move down to Class 3A just like Sweeny. A total of 13 starters return to the mix for the Tigers, including wide receiver Ki’sean Kimble, who had 509 yards receiving on 25 grabs. Preston Roberts will anchor the offensive line after producing 10 pancakes, while Layden Wynn and Triston Washington will be a force on the defensive line. Wynn had 61 tackles, 11 QB hurries and three sacks in 2025, while Washington racked up 31 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and one sack. Defensive back Lunden Aldridge will also be a force after registering 28 tackles and four pass break-ups last year. Keys to success for Haddock’s team this year include being consistent and buy-in from the players as they adjust more athletes to playing offense and defensive positions than ever before.
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Sweeny went 5-6 last year and reached the Bi-District Round of the playoffs. The Bulldogs won their last two games of district play to finish 3-3 in District 10-4A-DII. That was good for a third-place tie and a ticket to the playoffs. Now, Sweeny moves down to Class 3A and returns talent to the field. First-team all-district selections Holden Hopkins (OL) and Vance Smyth (TE) are set to return. Smyth was also named second-team all-district for his defensive line play. The offensive line will be a solid piece for Sweeny as along with Hopkins, second-team all-district picks John Mader and Kasen Gee are set to be back in the trenches. An experienced O-Line will prove beneficial to returning second-team all-district running back Devin Fields. He earned that honor as a sophomore. Other players to watch include second-team all-district defensive picks OLB Parker McCurdy and ILB KJ Woolsey. The Bulldogs returning kicker Edwin Hernandez is another to watch coming off a first-team all-district campaign.
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The Palacios Sharks are coming off a 2-8 campaign in 2025. They want to build off that in Travis Hoffer’s second year at the helm. A total of 14 starters return, led by running back Austin Martinez, who started as a freshman and rushed for 467 yards and two scores a year ago. Other key returners include seniors Trey Weixelman (QB/WR/DB), Robert Sandoval (WR/QB/DB) and Kaden Brooks (OL/DL) and junior Barrett Botbyl (WR/DB). Keys to success will be relying on the running game behind an experienced offensive line.
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Hempstead will look to bounce back from the 2025 season. Kris Gordon enters his second season at the helm. The Bobcats went 1-9 overall and winless in district play a year ago. Hempstead brings back 11 starters including first-team all-district RB/DB Ricky Young Jr. and first-team all-district TE/LB Israel Harris. Second-teamers Christian Jimenez (OL/DL) and Dylan Garfield (WR/DB) are also set to return to the huddle in 2026. “Everything starts up front, offensive and defensive line, we have to establish the run game on offense,” Gordon said. “Utilizing our size and strength we must win first downs on defense and stop the run.”
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