The Columbus Cardinals have turned heartbreak into heroics, honoring their late teammate Aleks Medrano with every snap. Medrano, a standout on and off the field, left behind a legacy of grit and camaraderie. With his number 62 proudly displayed, the team has rallied around his memory, turning their journey into a celebration of his vibrant spirit entering their first-ever state championship. They’ve shown that true teams rise when the chips are down. They’re transforming loss into purpose and cherishing Aleks’s vibrant spirit every step of the way.

It’s quite unfortunate for the Cardinals to witness their biggest achievement without their two-way star defensive end and offensive lineman by their side to enjoy the glory. But then the win was destined to do something with him as the Cardinals got the win on Medrano’s birthday, which made it even more special for them. After the game, head coach Matt Schobel said how important it was for them to win this game for Aleks. “It’s Aleks’ birthday, and he is 18 today. We miss him. We love him, thinking of his family, but we’re here for him,” he said. This shows the amount of love the team holds for him.

Talking about the Cardinals’ gameplay against the Edna Cowboys, this showed exactly how you enter the playoffs—with exceptional performance and impressive plays. They secured a decisive win against the Cowboys with a score of 49-6, showcasing their dominance. Moreover, it looked like a one-sided game where the Cardinals didn’t let the Cowboys even score in double digits in the entire game. Every player was in their best form during the game. Grayson Rigdon scored four touchdowns against the Cowboys and showed a remarkable performance.

The reason behind their massive success is the team’s extraordinary defense, which turns out to be a game-changer for the Columbus Cardinals. Even head coach Matt Schobel seemed quite impressed with the team’s defense as he said, “Our defense was fantastic in the first half and all night. And, you know, very, very impressive. But we’ll enjoy it a little bit. We’re going to get ready for more.”

Well, the defense racked up three turnovers, which allowed the offense to score points. Now you can understand what coach Matt is talking about. Next week it’s going to be the real test of their defense as they will face defending champions the Malakoff Tigers for the title. However, it was all for Aleks Medrano, whose sudden demise left an empty spot in everyone’s heart on the team.

Aleks Medrano’s unwavering kindness

Well, the unexpected loss of Aleks Medrano deeply saddened the Texas high school football community. Aleks, a cherished defensive end and offensive lineman for the Cardinals, showed a vibrant spirit and unwavering kindness. Aleks was one of those guys who always put others first. He’d go out of his way to check on friends, making sure they were okay, and he even did the same for his teachers.

Sadly, he suffered a seizure that abruptly ended his life on October 2. But his impact continues to resonate. Those who knew Aleks remember him as a selfless soul who always brightened the lives of those around him. He was all about the team. Moreover, his middle school coach Jordi Theut spoke about him in the Clear Eyes Full Hearts podcast.

He said, “Aleks Medrano was one of the most respectful, loving and fun kids I have ever encountered. I coached him for two years while he was in Jr. High. Even after those two years, any time I would see him around town he would make sure that he came by to “dap me up” and see how I was doing and give me an update on how he was doing.”

Aleks Medrano had a huge impact on the entire Cardinals squad. His teammate and quarterback, Adam Schobel, summed it up perfectly: “He had more energy than any other teammate I’ve ever had. Every day, he brought us out and fired us up.” Now, as the team chases their biggest goal, they’re playing for Aleks, keeping his spirit alive in everything they do.