Columbus football set the tone by scoring three first quarter touchdowns and rolled to a 48-14 win against Malakoff to capture the Class 3A Division I state championship on Thursday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington It's the first state championship for the Cardinals who conclude the season with a 15-1 record "We played really well as a team and against a good program," Columbus coach Matt Schobel said "What these kids have been through and how they were there for each other To see them reach their personal goals and team's goal is incredible." Grayson Rigdon got the scoring going by capping a five-play 72-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run for the game's first points Jerrion Hall answered for Malakoff with a 4-yard rushing score to tie the game early but that would be the only points for the Tigers until 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter The Cardinals (15-1) went on to pull away in the first half behind back-to-back touchdowns by Rogdon (2-yard carry) and a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Adam Schobel to Braylon Fisher Adam Schobel was named the game's offensive MVP for his performance and John Schobel was named the games's defensive MVP after recording 10 tackles and three sacks Columbus went on to score 47 unanswered points behind Schobel who completed 15 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three total touchdowns Rigdon led Columbus on the ground with 18 carries for 119 yards and four touchdowns Elijah Usher led the Cardinals through the air with five catches for 106 yards Quaterback Mike Jones led the Tigers with 17 carries for 85 yards and completed eight catches for 33 yards Jason Tennyson and Hall each added rushing touchdowns for Malakoff Thursday marked the first loss for the Tigers "It was a tough matchup for our guys," Malakoff coach Jamie Driskell said "Our motto was to empty the tank and I think we emptied the tank We had that first good drive and then they changed some stuff up They went to a different coverage and got us on our heels but I couldn't be any more prouder of our kids." Malakoff (15-0) vs Columbus (14-1) Thursday at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium:  Defending 3A-Division I state champion Malakoff holders of the state’s longest winning streak at 31 games will look to bring another title home to Henderson County as the Tigers tangle with the explosive offensive juggernaut of Columbus Malakoff looked to be in trouble last week after Paradise opened the second half with a near 10-minute drive to go up 19-7. However Jamie Driskell’s squad showed championship DNA by answering with a massive scoring drive punctuated by Jason Tennyson’s touchdown run to cut its deficit to 19-14 Malakoff’s defense then answered the bell as Jack Hustead returned a Paradise interception for a score to give MHS a 20-19 lead Tennyson added another scoring run late and Malakoff’s defense came up with another stop to seal the 27-19 win Columbus didn’t have near the drama in its semifinal game to book its first trip to the state title game CHS led Edna 42-0 late in the second quarter and downshifted in the second half to walk away from Rice Stadium with an easy 49-6 win Wyoming RB commit Grayson Rigdon ran for four scores, while TCU QB commit Adam Schobel tossed a pair of touchdown passes You’ve got two MVP type candidates calling the shots in this one in Schobel and Malakoff QB Mike Jones. The key here is Schobel has a better supporting cast and a more healthy supporting cast Columbus was hit with the injury bug in October and despite losing some guys they’ve had time to develop replacements but the Tigers are a beat up football team with a lot of guys gutting it out late in the year Malakoff doesn’t have the depth last year’s team had so they are having to get a lot of mileage out of players running on fumes at this stage The fresher and more talented team in Columbus should win this game but Malakoff has the state title game experience and Jones is an elite talent capable of carrying his team to incredible heights.  the Offensive MVP from last year’s state championship is just as dangerous through the air as he is on the ground He’s completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,537 yards Jones also has 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing LB/TE Parker Poteete - Poteete is in on almost every tackle from the middle linebacker spot Poteete meeting Columbus running back Grayson Rigdon in the hole is one of the game’s top matchups He’s also Malakoff’s leading receiver with 34 catches for 564 yards and 11 touchdowns SR OL JaMyron Walker - Walker has paved the way for two 1,000-yard rushers in quarterback Mike Jones and running back Jason Tennyson Malakoff will need to extend drives and keep Columbus’s high-powered offense off the field Walker may draw matchups with either John Schobel or Anthony Shorter QB Adam Schobel - The engine that makes the Cardinals hum Schobel consistently displays pinpoint accuracy on all of his throws and rarely makes mistakes ATH Grayson Rigdon - Football fans across the state were anxious to find out how one of the all-time great six-man players would transition to 11-man football He's a walking touchdown anytime he touches the ball He'll play both football and basketball for Wyoming LB John Schobel - The 6-foot-4 215-pound TCU signee has been the leader on Columbus' defense for years and is also a sure-handed tight end 4's name called a lot inside AT&T Stadium We've been the Bible of Texas football fans for 64 years By joining the DCTF family you'll gain access to all of our exclusive content and have our magazines mailed to you Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff quarterback Mike Jones looks downfield after running through a gaping hole in the line Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff’s James Studley is knocked out of bounds after making a first-half reception Dec Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff linebacker Parker Poteete celebrates after stopping the Columbus quarterback Dec Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonTiger running back Jason Tennyson (left) makes a move toward daylight during the State title game Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff running back Jerrion Hall fends off a Columbus Cardinal defender at the State title game Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonTiger quarterback Mike Jones gets momentum as he races downfield against Columbus Dec ARLINGTON—The Malakoff Tigers’ 31-game winning streak came to an end Dec 19 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington at the Class 3A Division I State championship game where they lost 48-14 to the Columbus Cardinals and finished their season at 15-1.Columbus dethroned Malakoff as State champion and won their first title in school history in their first-ever championship game appearance Columbus scored touchdowns on all five first-half possessions then scored two more touchdowns on their first two second-half possessions.The Cardinals struck first with a 3-yard Grayson Rigdon touchdown run with 9:24 left in the first quarter Malakoff responded on their initial drive on offense as Jerrion Hall had a 4-yard touchdown run with 6:35 left in the first quarter tying the game at 7-7 after Jacob Padron’s extra point kick.Columbus then went 68 yards in nine plays including a 39-yard Cardinal pass which helped set up a 2-yard Rigdon touchdown run for a 14-7 Columbus lead scoring a touchdown on the last play of the quarter a 32-yard Adam Schobel touchdown pass to take a 21-7 lead was the Defensive MVP.In the second quarter Adam Schobel added a 2-yard quarterback keeper touchdown with 6:23 left before halftime to give the Cardinals a 28-7 advantage Rigdon scored a 13-yard touchdown run to increase their lead to 34-7 (the extra-point kick was blocked by Malakoff) Adam Schobel converted a fourth-and-5 for a 14-yard gain.The Columbus scoring continued in the third quarter Rigdon scored his third touchdown run of the night with 4:18 left in that quarter Columbus scored their final touchdown of the night on a 15-yard Adam Schobel pass to take a 48-7 lead.Malakoff got on the board again with 2:39 left in the game as Jason Tennyson ran in for a 3-yard touchdown to account for the 48-14 final.“Man they’re a full package,” Malakoff head coach Jamie Driskell said at the postgame press conference Read Cedar Creek Lake Area Monitor Read Lake Area Leader publisher@themonitor.net Copyright ©2025 Mabank Monitor and Lake Area Leader Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff’s James Studley runs after catching a third-quarter 54-yard pass from Mike Jones Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff middle linebacker Parker Poteete tries to stop Liberty-Eylau’s quarterback in the open field Dec Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff running back Jason Tennyson who rushed for 96 yards against Liberty-Eylau Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff running back Jerrion Hall is upended by a Liberty-Eylau defender during Dec Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff’s Michael Elliott Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff quarterback Mike Jones the Malakoff Tigers defeated Liberty-Eylau 35-0 in the State Quarterfinals to win the Region II championship and advance to a Class 3A Division I State Semifinal matchup with the Paradise Panthers who won the Region I title by beating Shallowater Dec 12 (today) in the State Semifinal at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco Malakoff enters the contest 14-0 for the 2024 season while Paradise is 12-2 The other State Semifinal matches the 13-1 Columbus Cardinals with the 14-0 Edna Cowboys.That game is Dec Columbus won the Region III championship over Franklin while Edna defeated Llano in the Region IV Final The winners of the two State Semifinal games will face off Dec 19 for the State Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.Against Liberty-Eylau Malakoff’s Bugg Jones recovered the fumbled opening kickoff at the Leopards’ 33-yard line Jerrion Hall scored Malakoff’s first touchdown a 1-yard run.Malakoff running back Jason Tennyson added a 14-yard touchdown run with 1:16 remaining in the first quarter to extend the Tigers’ lead to 14-0 after Jacob Padron’s extra point Mike Jones scored a quarterback keeper touchdown covering 6 yards to increase the Tigers’ advantage to 21-0.Malakoff’s defense stopped a Liberty-Eylau scoring drive 2 minutes before halftime when Michael Elliott sacked for a 9-yard loss Leopard quarterback Trip Baysinger on a third-and-13 play at Malakoff’s 27-yard line forcing a punt.With 9:15 left in the third quarter this time a 1-yard run that built a 28-0 advantage another Leopard scoring threat was stopped on fourth-and-4 from Malakoff’s 24-yard line when the Liberty-Eylau pass fell incomplete with 5:34 left in the third quarter.With 3:51 left in the game Malakoff’s Davion Johnson ran 2 yards for a touchdown as the Padron extra point accounted for the 35-0 score a Liberty-Eylau fourth-and-6 pass from Malakoff’s 14-yard line was incomplete.Mike Jones also completed 4 of 6 passes to total 84 yards Tiger middle linebacker Parker Poteete led Malakoff with 13 tackles Courtesy Photo/Mabank ISDMabank Lady Panthers fans cheer on their hometown team at Mesquite Horn High School Feb 17 as the Lady Panthers defeat the Lake Dallas Lady Falcons in the Class 4A Division I Regional Semifinal basketball game to advance to the Regional Finals Feb the Mabank Lady Panthers defeated Lake Dallas High School to win the Class 4A Division I Regional Semifinal basketball game at Mesquite Horn High School and advance to face Kennedale in the Regional Finals at 6:30 p.m also at Mesquite Horn.The winner of the Mabank-Kennedale Regional Final advances to the State Semifinals later this month After that State Semifinal contest is the Class 4A Division I State Championship game at The Alamodome in San Antonio Feb 28.The Lady Panthers (30-6 after the win over Lake Dallas) began their postseason run with a Bi-District victory over Longview Pine Tree Feb Mabank added an Area championship with a 37-22 win over Wills Point in Canton to set up their Regional Semifinal tilt with Lake Dallas.Meanwhile the Class 3A Malakoff Lady Tigers were defeated Feb 17 in their Class 3A Division I Regional Semifinal game at Rowlett Malakoff ends their season with a 31-5 record After winning the regular-season District 15-3A title the Lady Tigers won the Bi-District championship Feb 11 by beating Sabine to start the playoffs The Lady Tigers followed that with an Area title Feb 70-40.The Mabank Panthers boys’ team also made the playoffs with their first-round Bi-District game against Kilgore scheduled at The University of Texas at Tyler Feb The Malakoff Tigers boys’ team also played Feb The four touchdowns by Rigdon ties for the second-most in Class 3A in state championship history Quarterback Adam Schobel completed 15-of-21 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns as well as he scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter Columbus (15-1) held a commanding 34-7 lead at the half Jason Ternnyson and Jerrion Hall had rushing touchdowns for Malakoff (15-1) You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Malakoff ISD recognizes National School Counseling Week held Feb 3-7 by honoring Malakoff Intermediate School and Malakoff Junior High Counselor Laura Smith (from left) Malakoff Elementary School Counselor Michelle Dickens and Tool Elementary School Counselor Amanda Jones along with high school counselors Jerri Cheek and Natalie Preston (not pictured).  MALAKOFF-Malakoff ISD (MISD) trustees voted Feb 18 to approve by 6-1 the 2025-26 school year calendar which includes a fall break and finishes instructional activity before Memorial Day The district is currently in its 2024-25 school year.MISD Acting Superintendent Dr PJ Winters told the board that he presented multiple calendar options to the MISD District-Wide Improvement Team (DWIC) which the committee whittled to two options and then asked full-time staff members to vote for their choice among the two Winters said 86% of such staff responded to the survey with two-thirds of them choosing Version B a calendar which also aligns the school district’s spring break with Trinity Valley Community College.Dr Winters also gave a superintendent’s update which included a progress report on the Leo Orr Sr The acting superintendent said foundation and plumbing work was underway but workers discovered the electric connection is single-phase and not three-phase which has led the district to explore whether to make redesigns or get an easement across State Highway 31 to access three-phase electrical abilities Winters said simply wasn’t available on the south side of the highway.Dr Winters also told the board that temporary signs at Malakoff Intermediate School and Malakoff Junior High are being replaced for $6,700 that the intermediate school had passed its state-mandated intruder audit that the district was preparing for February’s Black History Month and that Malakoff Alternative Program Principal and MISD Human Resources Director Danielle Copeland had received “Remarkable Woman” recognition from The CW Network and affiliated Dallas television station Channel 33 which included an on-site interview filmed in Malakoff.In other business the board:• Approved updating the signature card for Texas Trust Credit Union to replace a former MISD superintendent and business manager with Dr Winters and MISD Chief Financial Officer Shannon Freeman.• Heard the first reading of Texas Association of School Board’s recommended localized policy manual Update 124 dealing with such items as financial ethics curriculum design in relation to special programs child abuse and neglect and community conduct on school premises.• Learned from Malakoff High School Principal Dr Jeff Lahey that the school’s boys’ basketball team beat Sabine that night Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonEustace first baseman Bryleigh Powers makes the putout to beat Malakoff’s Makayla Kijanowski in the teams’ April 1 District 15-3A battle Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff second baseman Kylie James flips the ball to first base during the April 1 District 15-3A contest versus the Eustace Lady Bulldogs Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonEustace shortstop Marissa Long looks toward third base for her next move in April 1’s 15-3A game Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff shortstop Kylie Miller conducts the forceout at second base during an April 1 double play opportunity against Eustace the Malakoff Lady Tigers softball team defeated the Eustace Lady Bulldogs allowing Malakoff to stay near the top of the District standings.Malakoff then beat Quitman April 7. Eustace took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning That started when Madilyn Andrews doubled to put Lady Bulldog runners on second and third base Abigail Warren hit an infield single with two outs to bring home Page Miller for the first Eustace run then Landrie Baker’s single to left field scored Andrews.Malakoff responded in the bottom of the first when Kylie Miller singled home Ava Perkins who had walked and stole second base and then advanced to third Brie Smith then doubled home Miller to tie the game at 2-2 Makayla Kijanowski then hit a fielder’s choice to score Smith for a 3-2 Malakoff lead.In the top of the second Bryleigh Powers singled and Eustace followed by loading the bases Andrews scored on a Malakoff wild pitch to give Eustace a 4-3 lead Kylie James and Perkins were on first and second base with two outs but Andrews (pitching for Eustace) coaxed a forceout at third to end the inning.In the top of the third Skylar Long reached first base on an error after batting with a full count with two outs but a Eustace groundout ended that scoring threat.Malakoff tied it in the bottom of the fourth when Kaitlyn Massingill doubled home Kylie James and then took a 5-4 lead on pitcher Alabama Anding’s sacrifice fly scoring Massingill.Malakoff’s Briana Mott doubled home Avery Austin in the bottom of the fifth to add another Lady Tiger run to secure their 6-4 win Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonJames Studley of Malakoff peers downfield as he begins his 61-yard touchdown catch Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonEustace’s Mason Patek attempts to work his way out of the end zone during a kickoff return Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonTiger linebacker Parker Poteete gets his paws on Eustace quarterback Rhett Dyer Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonKayland Davis of Malakoff returns a punt Oct Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff quarterback Mike Jones follows a Heath Piedra block for a gain in the red zone Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff receiver Jack Hustead (right) looks for the pass to arrive for his 66-yard touchdown Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonBulldog quarterback Rhett Dyer looks for an open receiver Oct MALAKOFF–The Malakoff Tigers defeated the Eustace Bulldogs Oct scoring six touchdowns in the opening quarter and easily outdistancing their visiting neighbors 77-0.Malakoff’s 23rd consecutive win makes them 7-0 for 2024 Eustace falls to 1-7 after the District 7-3A loss within which they are winless.On the game’s second play Malakoff’s Deairius Moore recovered a Eustace offensive fumble 41 seconds into the contest Malakoff running back Jason Tennyson scored a 3-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead following Jacob Padron’s extra-point kick with 10:05 left in the first quarter.Malakoff’s next possession saw quarterback Mike Jones connect with James Studley for a 61-yard touchdown pass with 7:42 remaining in the opening stanza Malakoff’s Evan Loper intercepted the Bulldog pass returning the ball to the Bulldog 24-yard line Jerrion Hall scored a Tiger rushing touchdown on the following play making it 21-0 Malakoff halfway through the first quarter.Next Jones heaved a 66-yard touchdown pass to Jack Hustead for a 28-0 Malakoff lead with 3:40 left in the first quarter Still in the first quarter (at the 1:42 mark) Hall returned a Eustace punt for a Malakoff touchdown moving the Tigers further in front at 35-0.After Malakoff’s Moore recovered his second Eustace fumble of the game Kayland Davis took a pitch and jogged 30 yards to push the Tigers ahead 42-0 with 44 seconds left in the first quarter Eustace quarterback Rhett Dyer found Jeremy Rummel with a pass that accounted for Eustace’s initial first down of the game Bulldog running back Mason Patek then carried the ball to Malakoff’s 37 but the swarming Malakoff defense stopped Eustace cold at that point capped off by a Michael Elliott sack of Dyer halfway through the second quarter.With 2:56 left until intermission Malakoff’s Parker Poteete caught a 2-yard touchdown pass for a 56-0 Tiger lead Eustace recovered a Malakoff fumbled punt at the Tiger 46 but the Bulldog offense came up empty.In the third quarter (with 8:30 left) Loper caught a 13-yard touchdown pass for a 63-0 Malakoff advantage Malakoff backup quarterback Jaxson Jedlicka completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Nasir Ross for a 70-0 Malakoff margin.Another Malakoff backup ran 5-yards for a score to make it 77-0 with 9:02 left in the game after Padron’s eleventh extra point of the contest Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff running back Jason Tennyson follows the blocking of James Studley against Tatum Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonAll eyes are on Malakoff receiver Jack Hustead who tiptoes down the sideline versus Tatum Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff receiver Kayland Davis turns through the end zone after a wide-open 57-yard touchdown Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff’s Michael Elliott (right who led the Tigers with five tackles) celebrates forcing a fumble Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff tight end Parker Poteete barrels down the field for a 42-yard touchdown reception Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff quarterback Mike Jones (who also ran for a 61-yard touchdown) outruns a Tatum defender TYLER–The 11-0 Malakoff Tigers football team defeated the Tatum Eagles 62-13 at Tyler’s Rose Stadium Nov winning their 27th game in a row and advancing to the Area round where the Tigers will face the Maypearl Panthers.To set up that contest 21 (tonight) at Ennis’ Lion Memorial Stadium.The winner of the Malakoff-Maypearl game will face the victor from the Jefferson-Grandview game in the Bi-District round in Corsicana for the Tigers’ first playoff step toward an undefeated Class 3A Division I State championship.Against the Tatum Eagles Malakoff quarterback Mike Jones started the Tiger scoring with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Parker Poteete on third-and-10 with 7:10 left in the first quarter Jones added a 61-yard touchdown run with 5:30 remaining in the opening quarter to extend the Malakoff lead to 14-0.The next Tatum possession recovered by Poteete at Tatum’s 24-yard line Jerrion Hall capped off the ensuing Malakoff drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0 Malakoff with 2:32 left in the opening quarter.Next which Daniel Norrell recovered at Malakoff’s 43-yard line toward the end of the first quarter the ensuing Tiger drive was helped by a late Tatum hit out of bounds a 15-yard penalty that put the ball on Tatum’s 12 early in the second quarter.Eventually Hall had a 12-yard touchdown run with 10:25 left in the first half An offsides penalty on Tatum before Malakoff’s extra-point attempt prompted the Tigers to try a 2-point conversion leaving the Malakoff lead at 27-0.Following that a Tatum drive aided by a Malakoff late hit out of bounds penalty ended when the Eagle running back fumbled before crossing the goal line with Malakoff recovering the ball in the end zone for a touchback with 4:50 remaining until halftime The Malakoff drive that followed led to another Tiger touchdown this time a 16-yard misdirection screen pass to Jason Tennyson with 2:22 left before intermission for a 34-0 Malakoff lead.Malakoff added another first-half touchdown at the 1:05 mark of the second quarter – a Jones 57-yard pass to a wide-open Kayland Davis for a 41-0 halftime advantage.In the second half Tennyson had a 5-yard touchdown run that moved the Malakoff lead to 48-0 before Tatum scored on a 40-yard touchdown pass (the 2-point conversion run failed) that made it 48-6 Tennyson answered with another touchdown run this one for 1 yard to increase the Tiger lead to 55-6.Tatum scored from midfield late in the third quarter (55-13 then Malakoff’s Hall had a 1-yard touchdown run with 9:02 remaining in the game that upped the Tiger advantage to 62-13 after Jacob Padron’s extra point.Malakoff’s offense totaled 515 yards including 239 passing yards by Jones (with three touchdowns in the air and one on the ground) Tennyson ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns How to watch Texas high school playoff girls basketball: Jefferson vs 14Data SkriveWe have an exciting high school game -- Jefferson High School vs How to watch Malakoff vs. Jefferson playoff high school girls basketballMalakoff and Jefferson will face off on Friday, Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. CT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Watch Jefferson vs. Malakoff on NFHS! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at www.NFHSnetwork.com and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU Columbus Cardinals Dominate Malakoff Tigers 48-14 for State Title 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 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 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 putting Columbus ahead 21-7 by the end of the quarter and Rigdon sprinted 13 yards for his third score of the game Columbus held a commanding 34-7 lead at halftime Rigdon’s fourth touchdown came in the third quarter with a 2-yard run 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 The Columbus Cardinals finished their season with a 15-1 record showcasing balanced offensive and defensive performances throughout the year 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 You must be logged in to post a comment Copyright © 2003-2018 Lone Star Gridiron - The AUTHORITY on Texas high school football ™ Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff first baseman Brianna Mott gets the ball back to the mound after checking the Jacksonville runner Monitor Photo/Russell SlatonMalakoff’s Alabama Anding pitches a no-hit shutout Feb 10 to start her team’s 2025 softball season MALAKOFF–The Class 3A Malakoff Tigers softball team started their regular season Feb 10 with a 9-0 shutout victory over the Class 5A Jacksonville Maidens two in the second and four runs in the fourth to secure their win.Alabama Anding threw a complete-game no-hitter for the first win of the season “We played really good defense behind her and a good team win,” Malakoff coach Matt Wittram said.In that first inning Bri Smith was struck by a pitch (bringing home another Malakoff player) and Jacksonville committed an error to allow a third run.Malakoff extended their lead in the second when McKayla Kijanowski singled followed by another Jacksonville error (there were five Maiden errors during the game) that let the fifth Malakoff run cross the plate Malakoff cinched the contest by tacking on four more runs.Malakoff was led at the plate by Miller who as the shortstop went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in The Tigers also drew six walks during the game two of those by Anding and another two by Saylor Cartlidge The Lady Tigers also stole five bases against Jacksonville The Columbus running back ran for four touchdowns to help spark the Cardinals to a 48-14 win over defending state champion Malakoff in the Class 3A Division I title on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium A crowd of 10,166 fans watched Columbus win its first state title and Malakoff saw its 31-game winning streak come to an end as it looked to repeat as the state champions Malakoff coach Jamie Driskell said his team battled and exerted a lot in playoff wins against Jefferson and Paradise the Tigers struggled to keep pace with the Cardinals after the game was tied 7-7 in the first quarter The Cardinals scored 41 consecutive points from the final 3 minutes of the first quarter until the final 3 minutes of the fourth quarter Columbus (15-1) played lights out on offense — scoring on seven of eight drives The exception came in the game’s final seconds when the JV offense was in while TCU signee Adam Schobel ran for a score and was 15-for-21 for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns Schobel is the son of head coach Matt Schobel The play of the offensive MVP impressed Driskell “He’s something else,” Malakoff’s coach said He’s got a great arm and he’s really good at buying himself time We thought we could get to him a little bit and then he bought himself time Schobel kept Rigdon from making it four in a row in winning the MVP award He was MVP at both Strawn (2021) and Benjamin (2022 which gave up a season-high in points by the first half The 48 points were the most Malakoff has given up since ceding 56 in a loss to Cedar Hill Trinity Christian in 2020 That Cedar Hill team was coached by Deion Sanders and the quarterback was Shedeur Sanders — who threw six touchdowns that game The defense also made life rough for the Tigers The six sacks tied a Class 3A record and half of those came from John Schobel 3 tackles for loss and was named the defensive MVP played at TCU as well before a nine-year career with the Buffalo Bills For the second year in a row and for the third time in program history The Tigers won the Class 3A Division I state title last year with a 14-7 win against Franklin and enter this game winners of 31 in a row the Tigers’ defense has allowed a touchdown or less with five shutouts QB Mike Jones has completed 70% of his passes with 2,537 yards and 38 TDs RB Jason Tennyson has 1,748 yards and 25 scores on the ground for Malakoff The Cardinals are making their debut in the state finals after winning its first semifinal game in its third try — a 49-6 romp over Edna Columbus features a pair of Division I players in QB Adam Schobel and RB Grayson Rigdon The latter is a two-spot signee at Wyoming who helped Benjamin win a 6-man title last year Rigdon ran for four scores in the semifinal win had three touchdown passes in the semifinal game Rigdon has been in a championship game every year of his high school career As a freshman at Strawn and the two previous years at Benjamin Follow along below for live updates from the Class 3A-Division I state finals between Columbus and Malakoff There was a moment of silence held for Columbus football player Aleks Medrano. The senior died on Oct. 2 from a sudden illness, according to The Houston Chronicle QB Adam Schobel -- TCU signee -- with a 49-yard strike to Braylon Fisher to move the Malakoff 21-yard line Columbus calls a timeout with 10:05 left in the first Grayson Rigdon with 4-yard TD run with 9:25 left he had a wick stiffarm on a Malakoff defender Touchdown Grayson Rigdon! Columbus leads 7-0 #UILState #txhsfb @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/oGl6Vwr5F2 Jerrion Hall with a 4-yard run and the Tigers answer right back Big passing play from Schobel to Elijah Usher Adam Schobel finds Elijah Usher for a big gain! #UILState #txhsfb @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/hqpgcCDxiv Rigdon went over the 2,000-yard mark for the season Schobel to Braylon Fisher for a 32-yard touchdown pass Rigdon with a hurdle into the end zone on a 13-yard TD run TOUCHDOWN COLUMBUS!@graysonrigdon1 with his 3rd tonight13 carries 88 yardsColumbus 34Malakoff 7Late Q2Grayson over 800 yards rushing and 18 TD in 4 games at AT&T for state! #txhsfb #UILState pic.twitter.com/6bKzZ7Es86 This is the most points Malakoff has given up this year; also the most since giving up 35 to Dallas Parish Episcopal in 2021 Malakoff goes for it on 4hth and 18 and QB Mike Jones is sacked for a 12-yard loss Rigdon with 2-yard TD run at the 4:18 mark Mike Jones with a 45-yard run and the Tigers are at the Columbus 27-yard line A 24-yard gain by Malakoff negated by a replay review Camdon Pitchford with a 15-yard TD catch from Schobel Columbus 48, Malakoff 7, 8:37 4QThe Cardinals keep pouring it on. Adam Schobel to Camden Pitchford for another TD. #txhsfb #UILState @usatodayhss pic.twitter.com/gWp7qA8D9i Jason Tennyson with a 3-yard run with 2:39 to play The Tigers finally on the board for the first time since the first quarter Attendance announced as 10,166 for Game 3 today at AT&T Stadium Top Players to Watch in the 2024 UIL Texas high school football championships Vote: Who should be Texas Offensive High School Football Player of the Week? (12/15/2024) Vote: Who should be Texas Defensive High School Football Player of the Week? (12/15/2024) CODY THORNCody Thorn is a veteran journalist who covers high school sports across the state of Texas and Missouri He is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and has covered sports and news since 1999 © 2025 ABG-SI LLC - SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Making the championship even sweeter is his son was named the game’s MVP and his nephew Adam Schobel competed 15-of-21 passes for 261-yards with two touchdowns which is his father’s college alma mater John Schobel led the team with ten total tackles with three sacks The loss snapped Malakoff’s 31-game win streak Both teams finish the season with 15-1 records CLICK HERE for High School Football Scores TX — The Columbus Cardinals battled the defending 3A Division I Champion Malakoff Tigers on Thursday Ex-Benjamin Mustang Grayson Rigdon and the rest of the Columbus offense scored early and often to win in dominant fashion Rigdon transferred to Columbus over the past year and now plays running back for the Cardinals Rigdon had an excellent first half against the Tigers He carried the rock 13 times for 88 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first two quarters Columbus and Malakoff traded opening touchdowns before the Cardinals completely took over the game While Malakoff punted the ball three times scored a touchdown every time they touched the football Malakoff showed flashes of explosiveness on offense but Columbus continued to stonewall the Tigers on the Cardinals' half of the field Columbus scored three more touchdowns in the final two quarters Malakoff managed to score a final touchdown with under three minutes to play in the 4th quarter View Past Issues indie web and mobile news platform with a local audience larger than all the San Angelo TV stations Advertising here can transform your business We understand that seeing some stories may be difficult for some readers Our goal as a news organization is to report on matters of public interest with accuracy and fairness While we recognize that certain stories can be sensitive or unsettling we are committed to providing transparent and factual reporting to keep our community informed If there are specific inaccuracies or additional context you believe would enhance the story, we encourage you to share those with us for consideration. 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