GAMES
RANKINGS
The stars of 2024-25 Hitchcock Football
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).
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VYPE San Antonio Small School Football Rankings (8/31)
We're officially a week into the 2020 Texas high school football season, so it's time for updated VYPE San Antonio Small School Team Rankings. Check out the latest top 10 and honorable mentions below.
VYPE San Antonio Small School Top 10 Football Rankings:
#1 Wimberley (1-0): The Texans trailed Canyon Lake by 10 points entering the fourth quarter, but a 14-point final period surge and a late goal line stand resulted in a 24-22 season-opening victory. (Previous: #1)
#2 Geronimo Navarro (0-0): The Panthers opened the 2020 season with a Week 1 bye and will battle newly-ranked La Vernia in Week 2. (Previous: #2)
#3 Jourdanton (1-0): The Indians rolled to a 49-24 victory against Natalia in Week 1. (Previous: #4)
#4 Shiner (1-0): The 2A Division I Comanches earned a huge 44-34 win against fellow state ranked and 3A Division I member Hallettsville to open the season. (Previous: #5)
#5 Hallettsville (0-1): The Brahmas lost an important season opener against Shiner, but they're talented enough with Texas running back recruit Jonathon Brooks to return to form in Week 2. (Previous: #3)
#6 Poth (1-0): The Pirates kicked off the 2020 campaign with a dominant 60-7 win against Lytle, so they're ready for their big Week 2 matchup against fellow area ranked team Falls City. (Previous: #6)
#7 Boerne (1-0): The Greyhounds recorded a complete team first half performance in a quality 42-13 win against Beeville Jones. (Previous: #7)
#8 Marion (1-0): The Bulldogs scored all their Week 1 points in the fourth quarter of their come-from-behind 14-13 victory against Karnes City. (Previous: #8)
#9 Falls City (1-0): The Beavers visited Three Rivers on Friday and left with a satisfying 41-20 season-opening win. (Previous: #9)
#10 La Vernia (1-0): The Bears must've been motivated by their VYPE San Antonio area preseason honorable mention status because they outmatched previous 10th-ranked team Cuero 55-21. (Previous: NR)
Fell out: Cuero (0-1): The Gobblers unexpectedly missed the postseason in 2019 and struggled with La Vernia in 2020's opening week. (Previous: #10)
Other teams to watch: George West (1-0), Comfort (1-0), Fredericksburg (1-0), Yoakum (1-0), Uvalde (1-0), Hondo (1-0), Blanco (1-0), Poteet (1-0), Orange Grove (1-0) and Nixon-Smiley (1-0)
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