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History made mission accomplished
2024 UIL CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS
ARLINGTON — The Columbus Cardinals won the 2024 UIL Class 3A State Championship when they defeated the defending state champs, the Malakoff Tigers, 48-14 Thursday night, Dec. 19, at AT&T Stadium.
“It doesn’t feel real yet,” Cardinals head coach Matt Schobel said. “The reality will set in eventually but to win the championship here in Dallas is so special because Aleks was a big Cowboys fan.”
The combined final scoreline totaled 62 points, ensuring Aleks Medrano’s presence was in full force at the final game of the year, a befitting end to a season that saw so much heartbreak.
“I did not even know that,” Adam Schobel said while cracking a smile ear to ear. “That’s amazing.”
Schobel’s sentiments were echoed by teammate Camdon Pitchford.
“That means a lot to us, we lost our brother early in the season and there was 62 points in last week’s game too I think, and it was 262 miles to get over here, so it’s special,” Pitchford said.
Head coach Matt Schobel said it was hard to motivate his team after the news of Medrano broke. He said the thing that got them through it was a quote from Medrano’s mother, Dawn Medrano, when he visited them at the hospital.
Head Coach Matt Schobel hoisting the State Championship Trophy high above his head.
“When I went visited his parents at the hospital his mom must have told me five times, ‘Y’all have to kick ass for Aleks,’” Matt Schobel said. “Did I know at the time that we would be sitting here tonight? No. But I knew we just had to keep pushing forward for Aleks and I am just so proud of our kids.”
As for the game itself, the Cards simply handled their business like they have been doing since the start of playoffs. A strong first drive from the offense capped off by a touchdown from Grayson Rigdon, three-time State Champion MVP and second all-time in touchdowns scored in a State Championship game, and the Cards were up 7-0.
Malakoff answered back quickly to tie the game up, but the Cards never panicked.
“We were just all gritty, the fact that we accomplished all that we did this year is amazing,” Rigdon said.
Led by linebacker John Schobel, who won defensive MVP Thursday night, the Cards slammed the door on the Tigers allowing only one more touchdown for the rest of the game.
“It wasn’t just one individual person, we played together, and we won this game together,” John Schobel said.
As the game went on Rigdon continued to stack up touchdowns like he normally does while Adam Schobel torched the Tigers’ defense through the air. Elijah Usher made several big catches throughout the game to convert first downs, Camdon Pitchford ran mean and banged his way to a couple big gains and Braylon Fisher capped off first half with a spectacular touchdown catch.
The Cards were up by the end of the first the offense was just getting started. With Rigdon and Adam Schobel running in a score in second quarter.
Leading 34-7 the Cards came out of halftime one simple directive; finish the story.
The Cards defense continued to win at the of scrimmage and overwhelmed Malakoff forced a few punts. Cards offense continued to shine late in the game with Rigdon finding the endzone one more time before the final buzzer.
As the final moments ticked off the clock, the Columbus faithful counted down the last 10 seconds before erupting into cheers that filled AT&T Stadium.
62 total points were scored in the game, tying a symbolic beautiful bow on this season just in time for Christmas. Congratulations to the 2024 UIL Class 3A State Champions, the Columbus Cardinals.
