Jr. high 7-on-7 competes in tourneys

By Sam Waller

Albany’s junior high 7-on-7 team made its first two outings this month, competing in tournaments at Celina and College Station.

The team closed out its short season Monday, June 26 with games against teams from Anson and Hamlin at Anson. Albany beat Anson 21-0 and also defeated Hamlin 14-7.

“This is not like high school 7-on-7,” said Anthony Ceder, who coaches the team with Clint Chapman. “This is more like travel all-star teams from cities.

The team is composed of nine rising eighth graders – Landrin Archuleta, Graham Ceder, Clay Chapman, Cash Edgar, Rush Kidd, Bennett Neece, Jakobi Roberson, Ace Vickers, and Aiden Vickers – and coached by Anthony Ceder and Clint Chapman.

At the Celina tournament, played Saturday, June 17, Albany defeated a Dallas team 27-6 in its first game before losing 14-6 and 17-3 to Academy Metroplex All-Stars.

At College Station on Saturday-Sunday, June 24-25, the team battled through four close losses to select teams from San Antonio, Amarillo, and Houston. Ceder said Albany was tied at halftime of all four games in College Station.

“The final scores were all like 28-21 or 28-20,” he said. “We played them all tough. We had a good time and got better at what Albany does.”

Ceder said the Albany players made significant progress in a short time, often competing against opponents a year or two older.

“We got a lot of work in,” he said. “We played seven games the last two weekends and made a lot of progress. The teamwork, camaraderie, and learning of the offense was superb.”