The second day of the 2022 State 7-on-7 Tournament in College Station is in the books, and the Dave Campbell's Texas Football staff was there to witness all of the action. Here's what we thought of the action in Aggieland.
Greg Tepper, DCTF managing editor
It's important to remember that 7-on-7 is not the same as the 11-man game in the fall, and perhaps that's why it is so unpredictable. Any predictions for the Division I bracket were promptly and efficiently inserted into the nearest woodchipper once the opening whistle blew. Consider who isn't in Saturday's championship bracket, instead relegated to the consolation bracket: defending champion Hebron, defending runner-up Lake Travis, perennial power Austin Westlake, pre-tournament favorite Alvin Shadow Creek, among many others. And check out who's crashing the party in the title bracket: the Rio Grande Valley's own PSJA North, capitol city standouts Austin Anderson, private school juggernaut Bellaire Episcopal. The action was fierce out in the blazing College Station sun, and while it may not have gone the way the experts (ahem) thought, it was certainly worth watching.
My MVP: Allow me to dip down one last time to the Division III bracket, where Childress receiver/defensive back Lamont Nickleberry really popped for me. A two-way dynamo, he made his presence felt on both sides of the ball, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does when the autumn rolls around.
Ishmael Johnson, DCTF assistant managing editor
Maybe it should’ve been an easy call to see Hitchcock winning Division II in retrospect. Sophomore quarterback Lloyd Jones III flashed arm strength and ball placement to stars Damien McDaniel and Bryce Dorsey all weekend and nothing stopped them en route to the title. When it came to Division I, Dripping Springs’ Austin Novosad was by far the most impressive player of the day. The zip, the technique, the decision-making was all on-point from the jump. Harker Heights’ speed up close and McKinney’s incredible 20-point comeback against Westlake was easily the highlight of the day.
My MVP: The day’s MVP could either be Novosad, but I’m going to give it to Hitchcock’s Dorsey who caught multiple touchdowns as well as some picks on defense. Keep an eye on this rising junior.
Matt Stepp, DCTF high school insider
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