Albany 7-on-7 team plays at state tourney
By Sam Waller
Albany’s summer 7-on-7 program wraps up its short season this week at the Division III State 7-on-7 Tournament.
The 32-team event will be played Thursday, June 22 (today), and Friday, June 23, at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station.
“The importance of this is the kids get to compete together, get new team components working together,” Albany 7-on-7 coach Kevin Hill said. “This will be the core of the group going in the fall. It helps with guys like Chip Chambers joining us as a quarterback and new teammate.”
While two rising seniors – tackle Zane Waggoner and guard Lanxton Vier-tel – are forced to play out of position, Hill said both will benefit from their participation.
“They’re athletic, and they like to run around and compete,” Hill said. “I think a lot of it is just the teamwork aspect and camaraderie.”
Albany will be in Pool B with Ganado, Gilmer Harmony, and Sudan. Game times are 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.
“It’s a war of attrition,” said Hill, who expects 11 players to make the trip. “We won’t have everybody because of work commitments, doctors appointments, and other conflicts. The goal is to keep people as fresh as possible, but a lot of it is managing their hydration and rest.”
The situation is made that much more difficult with the heat and humidity expected in College Station.
“That humidity makes it hard to breathe,” Hill said. “It makes the air feel heavier. It’s different.”
The top two teams in each pool after the round-robin pool play advance to Friday’s 16-team championship bracket with the other two teams playing in the consolation bracket. Bracket play will be single-elimination.
Albany’s success in spring sports curtailed its participation to two state qualifying tournaments, which was one more than last year. The team qualified Friday, June 9 with its finish at the Abilene State Qualifying Tournament.
“The thing about these kids is they’re doing everything – Fandangle, work, going on vacation, competing,” Hill said. “I’m just glad they want to play, want to be successful and reach their goals.”
Two opponents on Albany’s 2023 schedule are also in the 32-team field. Defending Class 2A Division I champion Hawley, which hosts the Lions on Sept. 15, will play in Pool C with Elkhart, Sonora, and Sunray. Reigning Division III 7-on-7 champ Miles, which visits Albany on Oct. 6 for the District 6-2A Division II opener, will play in Pool F with Jacksboro, Poth, and Rogers.
This will be Albany’s fifth appearance in the state tournament, following Division II berths in 2015-16 and Division III berths in 2019 and 2021. Division III was added in 2018.
Hill said the team has received a lot of community support in its quest to return to the state tournament after falling one play short last year.
“I’d like to thank Tony Wheeler for helping me coach and Anthony Ceder for helping get us entered,” he said. “Also, thanks to the anonymous donor who covered the entry fee, as well as parents who have helped with water, Gatorade, and food.”
