Columbus Turns Championship Stage Into a Showcase, Rolls Past Malakoff for 3A Crown

ARLINGTON — When the biggest moment of the season arrived, Columbus delivered a performance worthy of the stage. Under the lights of AT&T Stadium on Thursday night, the Cardinals unleashed a barrage of explosive plays and bruising runs, overpowering previously unbeaten Malakoff 48 to 14 to claim the Class 3A Division I state championship.

Rigdon Steals the Spotlight

No player shined brighter than Grayson Rigdon. The junior tailback spent the night slicing through the Tigers’ front, finishing with 119 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He punched in scores from close range, ripped off a 13 yard burst for another, and tied the second highest single game touchdown total in a 3A title contest.

Every time Columbus neared the goal line, Rigdon finished the job.

Schobel Picks Apart the Secondary

Quarterback Adam Schobel made sure Malakoff could not stack the box. The junior commandingly spread the ball around, completing 15 of 21 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. When the Tigers dropped deep, he kept it himself for a two yard score that helped break the game open in the second quarter.

Columbus marched to halftime with a 34 to 7 advantage, and the championship felt all but locked away.

Malakoff’s Sparks Not Enough

The Tigers entered at 15 and 0, but Columbus’ relentless tempo was a different kind of test. Malakoff got scoring runs from Jason Tennyson and Jerrion Hall, yet neither touchdown shifted momentum. Columbus’ defense met nearly every possession with physicality, forcing Malakoff into long fields and quick punts.

A Statement Finish to a Special Season

With the win, Columbus caps its year at 15 and 1 and leaves Arlington as a clear and convincing champion. Rigdon’s historic performance and Schobel’s precision passing powered an offense that never let off the gas.

Final score: Columbus 48, Malakoff 14. On Thursday night, the Cardinals didn’t just win a title — they owned the moment.