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Columbus Spoils Malakoff’s Repeat Hopes

2024 3A DI State Champions Columbus Cardinals over Malakoff Tigers

Class 3A Division I State Championship Game

Columbus Cardinals Dominate Malakoff Tigers 48-14 for State Title

Arlington, TX – The Columbus Cardinals capped their season with a commanding 48-14 victory over the Malakoff Tigers to secure the Texas Class 3A State Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2024. The win marked an exceptional culmination for star running back Grayson Rigdon, who not only scored four touchdowns in the game but also claimed his fourth consecutive state championship with three different teams.

Game Recap

The Cardinals wasted no time establishing their dominance. They scored three touchdowns in the first quarter alone, beginning with a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Adam Schobel to wide receiver Braylon Fisher. Rigdon followed with two rushing touchdowns, including a highlight 19-yard burst, putting Columbus ahead 21-7 by the end of the quarter.

In the second quarter, Schobel added a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and Rigdon sprinted 13 yards for his third score of the game. Despite a blocked PAT attempt, Columbus held a commanding 34-7 lead at halftime. Rigdon’s fourth touchdown came in the third quarter with a 2-yard run, further asserting Columbus’s control. Schobel later sealed the victory with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Camdon Pitchford in the fourth quarter.

Malakoff managed two touchdowns—one by Jerrion Hall and another by Jason Tennyson—but struggled to sustain offensive drives against a relentless Columbus defense.

Team and Player Statistics

  • Columbus Cardinals:
    • Total Yards: 428 (167 rushing, 261 passing)
    • Adam Schobel: 15 completions on 21 attempts for 261 yards, 2 TDs
    • Grayson Rigdon: 19 carries for 119 yards, 4 TDs; also added 23 yards receiving
    • Top Receivers: Elijah Usher (106 yards), Braylon Fisher (81 yards, 1 TD), Camdon Pitchford (48 yards, 1 TD)
  • Malakoff Tigers:
    • Total Yards: 239 (206 rushing, 33 passing)
    • Mike Jones: 8 completions on 13 attempts for 33 yards
    • Jason Tennyson: 12 carries for 67 yards, 1 TD; also added 8 receiving yards
    • Jerrion Hall: 13 carries for 51 yards, 1 TD
  • Defensive Highlights:
    • Columbus: Elijah Capiro (3 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss), Cooper Osborne (2.5 tackles, 1 sack), and a smothering defense that limited Malakoff’s passing game to just 33 yards.
    • Malakoff: Daniel Norrell led the defense with 6 tackles, while Parker Poteete contributed 4 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.

Notable Achievements

  • Grayson Rigdon’s Historic Feat: Rigdon’s four touchdowns in the game underscored his pivotal role in Columbus’s championship run. This title also marked Rigdon’s fourth consecutive state championship, achieved with three different teams, showcasing his versatility and championship pedigree.
  • Special Teams: Columbus kicker Jesus Mendoza converted six extra points, missing only one attempt due to a block. The Cardinals’ special teams also contributed to field position dominance throughout the game.
  • Turnovers and Penalties: Malakoff’s two turnovers and 70 penalty yards proved costly, further hampering their efforts to stay competitive against Columbus’s well-rounded attack.

Season Wrap-Up

The Columbus Cardinals finished their season with a 15-1 record, showcasing balanced offensive and defensive performances throughout the year. Malakoff also ended with a 15-1 record, but their lone loss came in the season’s most critical game. Columbus’s championship victory solidifies their position as one of the state’s top programs, powered by star performances and team depth.

Offensive MVP:  Adam Schobel (Columbus)
Defensive MVP: John Schobel (Columbus)

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