7on7 team heads to state tournament

By Nolan Davis

The Albany 7on7 team is looking to win big as they compete in the state tournament today and tomorrow in College Station.

The team qualified for the state level after going 3-0 in a qualifying tournament June 7 in Archer City.

The team, coached by Anthony Ceder and Spencer Newsom, has been very successful in its season so far, playing in two tournaments and many exhibition games.

While Albany has qualified for state before, the local players did not advance last year.

The Texas 7on7 state tournament is a two-day event held in College Station.

Teams that qualify for the tournament are divided into three divisions, with Division I made up of teams that compete in 5A or 6A, and private schools that compete in SPC or TAPPS Division I. Division II consists of 4A and 3A Division I schools, along with all other private schools. Division III consists of teams in Class 1A to Class 3A Division II.

Teams are allowed to bring up to 20 players.

The tournament is sponsored by Adidas, and players receive uniforms and other accessories provided by the brand.

Coach Spencer Newsom is optimistic about the team’s chances in the tournament.

“I’m feeling pretty confident heading into state,” said Newsom. “We have a senior quarterback who is a great leader and a bunch of guys who have been waiting their turn to prove how good they can be with an expanded role.”

 He added that this year’s senior class has a lot of good athletes who can help on both sides of the ball. 

“It makes defense a lot easier when you have guys who have been around and know a lot,” he said.

The team is expecting to take around 17 players to College Station, though that number has not yet been finally decided.

The tournament consists of pool play, which then leads to bracket play to determine each division’s champion.

Albany will play their first pool games on June 27.