Dave Campbell’s ranks Cards first

The Columbus Cardinals are the defending Class 3A State Champions, and Dave Campbell’s Texas High School Football has them ranked 1st in their preseason rankings.

Not only do they have the Cards ranked first, but they also have predicted the Cards to win the State Championship again in 2025.

After putting up a 15-1 overall record and a 3-1 district record in 2024, the Cardinals stormed their way to a State Championship victory. The problem for 2025 is trying to replace the likes of Adam and John Schobel, Gray Rigdon, Anthony Shorter and Camdon Pitchford who all signed to Division 1 Colleges is not going to be easy.

Texas High School Football does not think this is a big problem for the Cards at all. The Cards will have some big names returning to the team like Braylon Fisher and Brennan Hicks as well as Brody Vinklarek, Keyon Hemphill-Woods and Jack Schobel.

There are big expectations for Fisher and Hemphill-Woods this season, as well as they were listed on Dave Campbell’s preseason All-State team.

Fisher will see his role increase as he is now the undisputed number one receiver in the offense. Last year he put up 1,338 yards and 16 touchdowns and was an All-State player in his own right.

On the defensive side of the ball Rylan Carruthers and Brody Vinklarek combined for 336 tackles six sacks and one interception. Their role in the defense will also increase, and they will do everything they can to help Columbus get back to the big game.