The State 7-on-7 Tournament in College Station gave us a first taste of Texas high school football in 2021. DCTF managing editor Greg Tepper takes a look at what players, units and teams stoo out to him over the weekend.

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THREE QUARTERBACKS THAT IMPRESSED
THREE RECEIVERS THAT IMPRESSED
THREE DEFENSES THAT IMPRESSED

THREE TEAMS THAT IMPRESSED

Kaufman
Last year wasn’t all sunshine and daffodils for the Lions — an inconsistent defense, a fair-if-average offense, a 3-8 record and a bi-district loss to Wilmer-Hutchins. But Kaufman looks anxious to prove this year is different, and the early returns are awfully promising. Quarterback Derek Clamon was sharp, the defense came up with timely plays, and more importantly, the entire team was brimming with confidence and swagger. Most notably, the Lions took down a pair of district rivals — Melissa in the Round of 16, Argyle in the title game — en route to the Division II championship, avenging a pair of fall losses that came by a combined 79 points. The 7-on-7 game and the 11-man game are much different, to be sure, and success in College Station doesn’t guarantee success in the autumn. But it’s hard not to think this Lions team is trending in the right direction.

Franklin
There’s plenty of pressure on Franklin in 2021 — the 3A Division II state runner-up were christened as the state’s No. 1 team by some dummies, and with all but three starters back from last year’s squad, it’s championship or bust for the Lions. The pressure didn’t seem to affect them in College Station, as the Lions both looked and acted the part of a state championship contender. Bryson Washington and Malcolm Murphy were the headliners, but it was the entire team that impressed. Keep in mind: Franklin is a running team, so the fact that QB Marcus Wade looked as sharp as he did should be a warning shot to the rest of 3A Division II.

Mission Veterans Memorial
Part of the allure of State 7-on-7 is seeing teams from different parts of the state go at it. Mission Veterans Memorial coach David Gilpin mentioned that to DCTF specifically, moments after his Rio Grande Valley boys got done beating a solid Dallas-Fort Worth squad in Prosper in pool play. Little did we know that was just the beginning, as Vets dominated a tough pool and advanced all the way to the Round of 16. Quarterback Ricky Reyna was sharp, and the defense played with an edge to power the Patriots. Coach Gilpin mentioned that missing reps from 7-on-7 last year may have hurt them in the fall, but if their performance in College Station is any indication, Mission Veterans Memorial can hang with anyone, regardless of where they come from.