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Whataburger Team of the Week: Tomball writes storybook ending in UIL title run
In doing so, Tomball not only reclaimed the throne it lost last spring in a narrow defeat to Kingwood, but also added a third state title to its history, joining the trophies collected in 2013 and 2024.
Moments after the final out, the Cougars emerged in bright red shirts emblazoned with the words "Taken Back"—a fitting tribute to the team's season-long rallying cry, #TakeItBack.
Entering the season, questions lingered after several key departures, but the Cougars responded by putting together one of the most dominant campaigns seen in recent memory.
Tomball senior CJ Sampson lifts the 6A Division II State MVP award toward the crowd and his teammates in celebrationMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
“I think we were underdogs to begin the season because we had a few guys leave,” senior pitcher CJ Sampson said. “We went out there and proved everybody wrong, ended up being the No. 1 team in the country, and also proved everyone who believed in us right.”
Sampson, a Texas A&M signee, punctuated his high school career with a State MVP performance. The senior right-hander allowed no earned runs while striking out eight batters during the final, and also going 2-for-3 at the plate.
The Cougars' success extended throughout the roster. Sampson, Catcher Hopkins, Daniel O'Briant, Caleb Gafford, Nolan Rush, and Keagan Fosdick all earned selections to the State All-Tournament Team following the title-clinching weekend.
Catcher Hopkins (right) poses with Sampson (left), both biting into their newly earned gold medalsMatthew Ogle (VYPE)
For Hopkins, another Texas A&M signee, the accomplishment carried added significance. After helping Tomball win a championship as a sophomore and experiencing heartbreak in last year's title game, the senior finished his tenure by bringing the Cougars back to the top.
“It's really hard to top my sophomore year, when I won it for the first time,” Hopkins said. “But there's nothing like being a senior, playing my last game in a Tomball jersey, and doing it all with a target on our backs. After falling short last year, getting back to this point and getting the job done—it's the best feeling in the world.”
Matthew Ogle (VYPE)
