7-on-7 team qualifies for state tourament
By Sam Waller
Albany’s summer 7-on-7 program qualified for the 7-on-7 State Tournament by winning its side of the Abilene State Qualifying Tournament Friday, June 9 at McMurry University.
Albany qualified in Division II, which includes Class 1A (six-man) through Class 3A Division II. Albany qualified for state for the fifth time in its history, following Division II berths in 2015-16 and Division II berths in 2019 and 2021.
“I’m proud of the guys for competing,” 7-on-7 coach Kevin Hill said. “They really wanted to qualify for the state tournament, and they achieved that goal. These kids just love to compete, and even though this isn’t their style of offense during the football season, they want to win.”
Hill credited community support with making the success possible.
“It was pretty hot out there, and I appreciate all the help from parents with water, Gatorade, fruit, and snacks,” he said. “I appreciate all those who have donated to the 7-on-7 program this year and past years and the time volunteers have put in to help these kids represent Albany. The community of Albany is always so generous to help the kids at all levels.”
The Division II state tournament is scheduled for Thursday-Friday, June 22-23, at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station. Teams will play three pool games on Thursday. The top two teams in each pool advance to Friday’s championship bracket with the rest playing in the consolation bracket. Both brackets will be single-elimination.
At Abilene, Albany opened pool play with a loss to Jacksboro, which had already qualified for state, then beat Gold-thwaite, another qualified team, and Coleman. In the qualifying game, Albany defeated Odessa Compass Academy.
Against Goldthwaite, a 39-6 win, Chip Chambers passed for six touchdowns. Adam Hill had two scoring receptions with Cason Fairchild, Calhan Fairchild, Branson Beal, and Zane Waggoner each grabbing one. Beal, Cason Fairchild, and Slade Windham each caught a conversion pass.
“Our defense played really well only giving up one score that came late in the game,” Kevin Hill said. “Slade joined us this week and contributed both offensively and defensively.”
Against Coleman, a 27-13 win, Albany faced a must-win situation as neither team was qualified for state. Chambers completed passes to seven different receivers with Calhan Fairchild catching two TD passes while Adam Hill and Beal caught one each. Cason Fairchild caught two conversion passes, with Waggoner and Beal each having one.
“Branson had a big game and was able to get open at will,” Kevin Hill said.
Waggoner and Jaxson Street each had an interception.
“Jaxson is a young guy who hasn’t seen this much speed especially against older kids,” Kevin Hill said. “He made some really good defensive plays and has great range, batting down several balls in games.”
Waggoner, who was playing inside linebacker, made an athletic play on his interception, reaching and tipping the ball to himself.
“Zane’s interception was pretty amazing,” Kevin Hill said. “The Coleman quarterback was trying to drop it in over his head. It was at a crucial time in the game right after Coleman pulled within two scores. Zane’s play helped us regain the momentum.”
Albany left no doubt in the qualifying game, beating Compass Academy 32-6.
“This was the best game we played, controlling the game from the first drive,” Kevin Hill said. “We went up 20-0 before Compass was able to score.”
On Albany’s opening drive, Chambers connected with Adam Hill for both the touchdown and the PAT. Beal followed with an interception return to score, then Chambers and Hill hooked up on a long pass down the sideline.
A pass interference penalty gave Compass first down at the 2-yard line, but Adam Hill’s interception ended the threat. Albany responded with a 45-yard TD from Chambers to Calhan Fairchild on a deep post.
Cason Fairchild took over at quarterback from there, hitting Beal for the last score. Fairchild served as the second quarterback in place of Lute Wheeler, who was injured during Albany’s first tournament of the summer.
“Cason made several good reads picking up some crucial first downs,” Kevin Hill said. “On the final play of the drive, Cason dropped the ball into Branson on a corner route. It was a great route and a great throw.”
