Tomball to West Point: the hometown ties behind Cale Hellums’ 223-yard day

Before Cale Hellums ran for 223 yards against Tulane, his name sat next to Tyler Lee’s on a Tomball High signing-day list. Tomball ISD’s February 2022 announcement gave both football players the same destination: West Point. Tomball ISD signing announcement Army game recap

On October 10, Hellums carried 38 times for 223 yards and two touchdowns in Army’s 20–⁠17 win. His 58-yard fourth-quarter touchdown, followed by the extra point, tied the score at 17. Dawson Jones finished the comeback with a 25-yard field goal as time expired. Official Army–Tulane box score Army game recap

That old signing list still connects to the current roster. Army lists Hellums as a senior quarterback and Lee as a senior offensive lineman, both from Tomball, Texas. Their biographies also record a 2022 season at USMAPS, the U.S. Military Academy Preparatory School. Cale Hellums’ Army bio Tyler Lee’s Army bio

The hometown backdrop includes Tomball’s 2021 run to the Texas 6A state semifinals. The Cougars finished 11–⁠4 under Kevin Flanigan, who had led the program since 2017. In May 2022, the district announced his move from head football coach to director of athletics. Tomball ISD coaching history

Army’s next game is at home against Florida Atlantic on October 17. For Tomball readers, Hellums and Lee are two names from the same high-school signing class to keep following. Army game recap Tomball ISD signing announcement Cale Hellums’ Army bio Tyler Lee’s Army bio

Follow Army’s season, or nominate another college player from your hometown for a future story.