HEMPSTEAD/COLUMBUS TO BATTLE IN DISTRICT 13/3A
The Hempstead Bobcats and Columbus Cardinals are expected to battle for playoff spots in District 13/3A Division I this coming football season.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine projects the Cardinals to make the playoff in 2018, while the Bobcats will battle to make the post-season.
DCTFM projects Hitchcock to take the district title, followed by: 2-Boling; 3-Columbus; 4-Rice Consolidated; 5-Hempstead; and 6-Palacios.
The Bobcats and Coach Royce Hill are coming off a 4-6 season in 2017, but were 2-3 in district and qualified for the playoffs. The team returns eight starters on offense and seven on the defensive side.
Returning quarterback Tom McDade and speedy receiver Trevon Carter are expected to lead the offense while Wyatt Bush and J.T. Howard will anchor the offensive line.
Hempstead travels to Tomball to face Tomball Christian Home School, Friday, August 31st.
The Cardinals, under Coach Mike Bonewald, return 12 starters from 2017, including eight on offense and four on defense. Columbus was just 3-7 last year, but a 3-2 district mark qualified them for the post-season.
Multi-dimensional quarterback Hayden Leopold is expected to flourish behind a strong offensive line that returns four starters: Clayton Courtney, Anthony Tamez, Alex Juarez and Colton Brod. The defense will be led by linebacker Brock Schobel.
The Cardinals open the 2018 season, August 31st at Goliad.