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BIG KEY: Columbus OL Hemphill-Woods larger-than-life; Texas-commit
Columbus made an impressive run to the regional finals a season ago, and a big reason was "Big Key"—one of the nation's premier offensive line prospects.
Keyon Hemphill-Woods is the complete package.
The University of Texas commit has the size, athleticism and physicality that have made him one of the country's most sought-after linemen.
Off the field, the 6-foot-5 standout is just as memorable. With his infectious smile, larger-than-life personality and genuine charisma, "Big Key" is a marketing manager's dream.
Pair that with his dominance in the trenches, and it's easy to see why he's become one of the faces of Texas high school football.
VYPE caught up with Big Key at the 2026 Football Media Day to talk about his journey, his leadership and what's ahead for the Cardinals.
The reigning UIL 3A-D1 State Champions -- Columbus Cardinals
DISTRICT 12-3A-DI: Columbus boasts a State Title; Hitchcock looks to rebound
DISTRICT 12-3A-D1
PRESEASON PREDICTIONS
Columbus Cardinals
Hitchcock Bulldogs
Hallettsville Brahmas
Yoakum Bulldogs
Hempstead Bobcats
(Bold Denotes Playoffs)
...VYPE PRESEASON AWARDS
Most Valuable Player: Braylon Fisher, Columbus
Offensive Player of the Year: Mycole Pegoda, Hallettsville
Defensive Player of the Year: Rylan Carruthers, Columbus
Breakout Player of the Year: Cam’ron Taylor, Hitchcock
On the Cusp: Yoakum Bulldogs
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Columbus is coming off a historical season. The Cardinals rolled to a 15-1 record and captured the Class 3A Division I State Championship with a dominating 48-14 victory over Malakof. Columbus, led by seventh-year coach Matt Schobel (72-13) will have to replace some key players, including Adam Schobel, John Schobel, and Grayson Rigdon, but only dressed eight seniors in the title game. WR Braylon Fisher, who has offers from TCU, Houston, Vanderbilt and UTSA, led the team with 1,338 receiving yards and 16 scores in 2024. The entire starting offensive line is back, including Kenyon Hemphill-Woods, who has offers from Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Houston, Kansas State, Illinois and UTSA, and Christopher Quinn. The Cardinals linebacker corps is back and strong with Brody Vinclarek, Rylan Carruthers and Brody Tribe returning after combining for 415 tackles between the trio. Carruthers accounted for 165 tackles of that number. Other players to watch include WR/DB Brennan Hicks, QB/DB Jack Schobel and FB/DL Sean Sutton.
Hitchcock reached the Regional Semifinals a year ago after going 10-2. The Bulldogs will have a new look on offense with only three starters returning. Defensively, Hitchcock should be pretty sound with eight starters back in the mix, including District 12-3A-DI Defensive Lineman of the Year Demarcus Blackmon. Clear Lake transfer Terrell Stinson Jr. will play a huge role this season at DB and WR. The Bulldogs also return the district’s reigning Newcomer of the Year in Cam’ron Taylor, who is listed as RB, WR and OLB. Other key defensive returners include first-team, all-district pick Brian Harris and second-teamers Jaiden Freeman and Averett Lacy. The Bulldogs also return Jamarion Cooper, who was second-team, all-district on offense and defense from his running back and middle linebacker positions. Craig Smith enters year No. 14 at the helm and just eight wins shy of coaching career victory No. 100. Keys to success will be good defensive play and the young skill guys improving on a weekly basis.
Hallettsville went 3-8 a year ago and reached the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Third-year coach Levi Montgomery returns 10 starters to a squad that is seeking a 14th-straight playoff appearance in 2025. What will be a young Brahmas team will lean on young players developing quickly. Key returners for Hallettsville include Matthew Montgomery, who racked up 118 tackles, four tackles for loss, six QB pressures and three pass break-ups on the way to a first-team, all-district selection. Offensively, Mycole Pegoda is back after rushing for 1,130 yards and 16 scores, while passing for another 620 yards and four touchdowns. He was first-team, all-district as well. Finally, first-team, all-district OL Kyle Svetlik is back after registering 21 pancakes a year ago.
Yoakum posted an 8-5 mark in 2024 and reached the second round of the playoffs where they ran into eventual State Champion and district foe Columbus. The Bulldogs return some key pieces for 2025 including first-team, all-district lineman Oliver Ortiz and second-teamer OL Jaydon Johnson. Defensively, first-team, all-district free safety Cayson Gamez and second-team free safeties Bradley and Brenten Jacob and cornerback Tayten Crawford are set to return. Hempstead went 0-10 in 2024. The Bobcats return second-team, all-district running back Dawayne Crawford and second-team, all-district LB and RB Jleon Watts.