HAVE YOU GOT EVERYTHING? Diboll High School Assistant Principal John Burnett (far right) checks with 7-on-7 players as they prepare to leave for College Station last Thursday morning. Burnett, along with several athletic department personnel, accompanied the team to the tournament. (Staff pholto by Lois Cooper)
Lumberjacks clear path to semi-finals before loss
The Diboll 7-on-7-football team competed last Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the 7-on-7 state tournament at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The team clinched its spot at College Station during a State Qualifier Tournament held in June at Rice University in Houston.
Diboll High School Athletic Director Gary Martel said the 32-team state tournament included teams from Class 1A to Class 3A schools with a separate state tournament was conducted Friday and Saturday at A&M for Class 4A and Class 5A schools. The 32 teams were divided into eight, four-team polls, with pool play held at 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
The two teams from each of the eight pools advanced to the championship bracket, while the bottom two teams from each of the eight pools headed to the consolation bracket.
Diboll went 3-for-3 in the first day of competition defeating Celina 27-20 and 33-20; and in the third game put down Central Texas powerhouse Marlin, 41-13.
On Friday, with the teams whittled down to 16, Diboll faced Normangee and despite being behind most of the game, came back in overtime to take the victory 33-27.
On Saturday, only 16 teams remained in the fight for a state title with Diboll taking on Navasota. The Lumberjacks continued their winning ways by defeating Navasota 31-27 and advanced to the semifinal round. There, defending champions Celina sent the 'Jacks back to Diboll with a 25-19 win. Celina was the eventual winner by defeating Crane 28-21 in the championship game.
For the first time in the 10-year history of the event, there were separate divisions for Class 3A and below and Classes 4A-5A. Celina, which competes in 2A, is the only school lower than 4A to win the state tournament when it featured one division, taking the title in 2000.
Celina joins Baytown Lee as the only two-time champions in tournament history.
J.J. Hayes was named to the All-Tournament team following the conclusion of the tournament.
Members of the team included Alexander Castillo, Caleb Cauley, Nicholas Cortinex, Jefferson Hayes, Deantrey Loche, Jacolby Spencer, Joshua Odom, Jamie Palacio and Cornelius Polk.
Also, Cody Stifle, Mark Tamez, Kyle Prescott, Jesus Vasquez, William Tudmon, Albert Morales, Cutler Ruby, Vandel Rios, Ryan Rasbeary, J. R. Youngblood and Ketaraus Stanton.
RSS Feed
