Now that the 2025 Texas 7-on-7 State Championships are in the rear-view mirror, we take a look at who caught our eye as we gear up for the TXHSFB season.

Ganado’s Young Gunslinger

After winning the Class 2A Division I state title last fall, Ganado graduated a star-studded group of seniors led by QB Bryce Ullman. Fans of the Indians will be happy to know that they'll be just fine under center as sophomore Landyn Arriaga broke out this weekend. He had great chemistry with his veteran receiving corps led by Austen Pena, and Arriaga showed the leadership and take charge attitude you want to see from your QB as Ganado went 7-1 on the weekend before falling to Tidehaven in the Division III championship.

BIG East Texas Weekend in Division II

District 9-4A Division I is considered one of the state’s toughest districts, regardless of classification, and the two teams who have dominated the past four seasons showed they can also dominate in 7-on-7. Kilgore, who won the district a year ago and played in the 4A Division I state title game this past fall, posted a strong showing. In its state tournament debut in 2023, Kilgore went 6-1 before falling to eventual champion Hamshire-Fannett in the semifinals. This year, Kilgore went 7-1 as the Bulldogs got all the way to the title game before losing an overtime classic to Frisco Panther Creek, 32-26. Senior QB Kason Brooks and senior WR/S LaKeyleon Graves are headliners, but RB Isaiah Watters and WR/DB Jakalen Sheffield also had monster tournaments.

Tyler Chapel Hill got back to College Station for the first time since a quarterfinal run in 2022, and the Bulldogs posted an impressive 6-1 mark before a 27-23 loss to Panther Creek in the semifinals. Some have been quick to write CHHS off after losing a stellar senior class that led CHHS to a title game appearance in 2023, but 10 defensive starters are back and QB Malik Gee is returning after starting seven games as a junior. Junior WR Maliek Brown is a name to watch on the outside, and WR Damarcion Blaylock has a chance to be one of the state’s most explosive playmakers.

Rise of Benbrook

No one had thought much about the Benbrook Bobcats this time last year. Last fall, they made a name for themselves by posting the best season in school history after going 10-3 in 4A Division II and advancing to the regional semifinals. That momentum has carried into 2025, as Benbrook turned heads with a 6-1 performance in its State 7-on-7 debut before falling to Kilgore in the semifinals. The highlight of the day was a thrilling win over Austin LBJ in the quarterfinals on a Hail Mary pass at the horn. If you want a team to keep your eyes on in 4A Division II, it is definitely Cody Slater’s squad.

Jermiane Bishop Proves His Value

There’s never been any question about the player Jermaine Bishop is on both sides of the ball. After all, he’s often called the “TXHSFB Travis Hunter” by some (self-included). Bishop, again, flashed that elite talent as Willis went 5-2 this weekend before falling in a heartbreaker to South Oak Cliff in the semifinals. The Texas commit showed the intangibles that should have Longhorns fans excited about his arrival. There were rumors of Bishop participating in another event this weekend, but instead he choose to play with his HS teammates and was a true leader on both sides, encouraging teammates, setting the tone and making play after play in key moments. He wowed all that watched him and earned a lot of new fans this weekend with his performance.

South Oak Cliff Has a Smashing Debut

South Oak Cliff has played in four straight state championship games at the 5A Division II level, winning titles in 2021 and 2022, but 7-on-7 hasn’t been a big part of the Golden Bears overall summer plan. They did play in one qualifier in 2023 and 2024, but this summer, head coach Jason Todd and his staff decided to put more emphasis on playing in hopes of improving the overall passing game. The early returns are in and they look promising after the Bears went 7-1 on the weekend before falling to The Woodlands in the Division I title game. We know the SOC defense is going to be good. They return a ton of talent and it was evident all over the field in wins over 6A powers Shadow Creek, Harker Heights and Willis, along with TAPPS power Argyle Liberty Christian. The revelation was junior QB Jayden Williams, who emerged as the unquestioned leader of the Golden Bears' offense with a dazzling performance. He was the JV backup a year ago. “A program kid who has worked and worked,” is how one assistant described him. Williams showed he was ready for the big stage in the semifinal win over Willis. Trailing 28-24 with under two minutes left, Williams ripped an out-route at the sticks on third-and-15 to give SOC a key first down before the game-winning touchdown. Even more impressive for Williams is he did it all just a couple of days after having his wisdom teeth pulled!