Amarillo High, Dumas, Hereford, Childress and Stratford make up the most schools from the Amarillo-area to ever compete at this growing event.
“I think with five Texas Panhandle teams going to the state tournament it shows that 7-on-7 is growing up here,” Dumas head football coach Aaron Dunnam said. “I’m a big fan of 7-on-7. We know it’s not real 11-man football by any means, but it gives the guys a chance to compete and work together during a slow time in the summer. We’ll always take that.”
The Demons are making a second straight trip to the state tournament after a run to the Division II semifinals last year.
“We had a great showing last year,” Dunnam said. “We did awesome in pool play, and made it all the way to the semifinals in bracket play. We just love getting here, being together and facing quality opponents. This will be another great experience.”
Joining Dumas at the Division II level is the Hereford Whitefaces. Hereford qualified earlier in June at the Dumas state qualifier to punch a ticket to the state tournament for the first time.
“We’re really looking forward to this,” Hereford head football coach Adam Naron said. “I think going to the state tournament gives your team time work together and gel before August. I’ve been around 7-on-7 for a longtime now and it’s something I’d like to see grow more in this area.”
Another squad making its first appearance in College Station is Amarillo High. The Sandies qualified at the Division I level in Lubbock a few weeks ago. Sandies head football coach Chad Dunnam is thrilled for his team. Like his younger brother Aaron in Dumas, Chad is a huge proponent of 7-on-7.
“It’s going to be great for us as a team,” Chad said. “We love 7-on-7. I feel it is a further investment into your season when the fall starts. I realize it isn’t 11-man football, but it has your guys competing and working together to develop. We are also getting players more exposure by playing in this tournament and getting to see teams you only read about or watch on film.”
Childress and Stratford round out the tournament playing at the Division III level. The Elks, who won the Class 2A Division II state championship last December, are continuing to show their dominance with a second trip to the 7-on-7 state tourney, while the Bobcats powered their way all the way to the championship game of the Division III finals last June.
“We were thrilled to get to go back,” Stratford head coach Matt Lovorn said. “It gives us a lot of reps in he passing game and we know what to expect this time around. We love getting to all hang out together also. It’s just a cool experience.”
First-year Childress head coach, Bo Helm, agreed with Lovorn’s comment.
“The biggest thing for us is just being together,” Helm said. We gain a lot from that. Plus, you see a ton of different teams from across the state you never see which is awesome.”
Dumas, Hereford, Childress and Stratford begin pool play Thursday with championship bracket play being held on Friday.
Amarillo High opens pool play on Friday with championship bracket play taking place on Saturday.
Texas Panhandle 7-on-7 State Tournament Schedules
All games at Veterans Park, College Station
Division I
Amarillo High Sandies pool play
Friday’s games
Amarillo High vs. College Station, 1:45 p.m.
Amarillo High vs. Coppell, 3:15 p.m.
Amarillo High vs. Houston Lamar, 4:45 p.m.
Bracket play Saturday, TBA
Division II
Dumas Demons pool play
Thursday’s games
Dumas vs. Rockdale, 1:45 p.m.
Dumas vs. Bay City, 3:15 p.m.
Dumas vs. Celina, 4:45 p.m.
Bracket play Friday, TBA
Hereford Whitefaces pool play
Thursday’s games
Hereford vs. China Springs, 1:45 p.m.
Hereford vs. Sealy, 3:15 p.m.
Hereford vs. Lindale, 4:45 p.m.
Bracket play Friday, TBA
Division III
Childress Bobcats pool play
Thursday’s games
Childress vs. Chilton, 1 p.m.
Childress vs. Henrietta, 2:30 p.m.
Childress vs. Santa Rosa, 4 p.m.
Bracket play Friday, TBA
Stratford Elks pool play
Thursday’s games
Stratford vs. Miles, 1 p.m.
Stratford vs. Lexington, 2:30 p.m.
Stratford vs. Garrison, 4 p.m.
Bracket play Friday, TBA
