The Texas State 7-on-7 Championship pools are out! Here are the predictions for the order of finish in each group, plus a mini-preview for each pool.

Pool A Predicted Order of Finish

1. Lexington
2. Stratford
3. Garrison
4. Miles

This is a very balanced pool with four teams who are veterans of the State Tournament. Lexington has some intriguing young talent and they blend it with above average athleticism. Stratford made a great run a year ago in their first 7-on-7 and then won a state title in the fall, but they were hit by some key graduation losses. Garrison and Miles will be right in the mix as well, don’t be surprised if all four of these teams challenge in the single elimination bracket Friday.

Pool B Predicted Order of Finish

1. New Waverly
2. Dublin
3. Alpine
4. Tidehaven

Despite it being their first trip to State 7-on-7 New Waverly gets the edge over Dublin in this pool, the Bulldogs were very impressive in two qualifiers and could be a real force in their first appearance at the State Tournament since 2008. Dublin is a regular in College Station and will be a solid contender. Alpine and Tidehaven are regulars at state, but both may just be happy to have qualified.

Pool C Predicted Order of Finish

1. Marlin
2. Poth
3. Gilmer Harmony
4. Brady

Marlin is back at the State Tournament and the Bulldogs when locked in are as talented as anyone in the small school ranks, they’ll present some real matchup problems in this pool. Poth and Harmony will be a real battle for the second seed in this group, while Brady looks to play the role of spoiler.

Pool D Predicted Order of Finish

1. Daingerfield
2. East Bernard
3. Wink
4. Tolar

If you are looking for a “Pool of Death,” in Division III, this would be it, what a loaded pool. Defending champion East Bernard will be tested in a major way by Daingerfield who made the semifinals in 7-on-7 a year ago. The Tigers are absolutely loaded with skill talent, while Wink and Tolar are perennially underrated and are absolutely good enough to make some noise.

Pool E Predicted Order of Finish

1. Gunter
2. Flatonia
3. San Angelo TLC
4. Dawson

Perennial power Gunter gets the nod in this pool as the Tigers depth and overall talent top to bottom makes them one of the favorites to win it all. Flatonia has been very strong this summer in qualifying and the Bulldogs won’t be a cakewalk for anyone. Newcomers TLC and Dawson got a tough draw and may be fighting for third.

Pool F Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hawley
2. Hearne
3. Stamford
4. Three Rivers

Hawley is the Big Country’s best hope for a title in Division III and they’ll get a test on where they stand right off the bat as they open with Hearne who is as dynamic as anyone in Division III. Both teams will be in the mix Friday to win multiple games once the single elimination round ramps up.

Pool G Predicted Order of Finish

1. Childress
2. Chilton
3. Henrietta
4. Santa Rosa

Childress ran all the way to the championship game a year ago and much of the core of that team returns for an encore run in 2022. They’ll be heavy favorites in this pool, while Chilton should have enough to hold off a pair of newcomers in Henrietta and Santa Rosa.
 

Pool H Predicted Order of Finish

1. Eastland
2. Millsap
3. Crane
4. Ganado

This is a tough pool to get a read on, I think any of the four teams in this group could potentially win the pool or finish fourth, there’s that much balance. Expect a lot of close games and maybe even some tiebreaker scenarios that could come into play.