This week along with Waco Midway, Plano is hosting a SQT for the first time and all action will take place at Clark Field in Plano. Two spots are on the line for the 7 on 7 State Tournament July 11-12 at Texas A&M.
POOL A
Plano: The Wildcats went to a more wide open attack last year and utilized the attack with great success and that extra work in 7 on 7 action has to be a small part of the Wildcats success. However, the main reason for Plano Senior’s request is that they flat out have winners who take pride in wearing the maroon and white. RB/DB Rex Burkhead is an absolute terror on both sides of the ball and WR Kris Lott is a big time deep threat and QB Carson Meager is the consummate leader of the offense. Plano who has made three straight State Tournaments is a strong bet to make it four in a row this week.
Mabank: The Panthers made a big run in the Division 2 State Tournament advancing all the way to the Semi-Finals before being ousted. However, now MHS is back in Class 4A and they’ll have to qualify against schools in many cases four times as large as they are. QB Kolton Browning is one of the top QB’s in the SQT, but the talent around him isn’t there and at this level it’ll take a super-human effort from Browning to get MHS to qualify in this SQT.
Rowlett: The Eagles have never qualified for the State Tournament, but the Eagles this year have enough skill talent to make a little noise. WR Marquise Goodwin is as good as a depth threat as anyone in the tournament. RHS is led on defense by S Dexter Imade.
Dallas Skyline: No one in the SQT has more talent than the Raiders (South Grand Prairie will have a strong case against that notion) but it is very difficult for a newcomer to qualify for the State Tournament in their first try as Duncanville learned last week. How Skyline does will depend on QB Chris Frazier, if he plays well Skyline can make a run. Top offensive weapons for SHS are all 2010 guys in WR’s Michael Davis, Demarcus Burks and Joseph Powell. Skyline has several big time DB prospects including Oklahoma commit Steve Williams, but James White, Chazz Paris and Kerry Nation give the Raiders wonderful depth in the secondary. Skyline might not qualify this week, but look for the Raiders to make a strong push in a future tournament.
Little Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano
Big Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano
POOL B
Plano East: The Panthers have qualified for the last two State Tournaments but their performance in the 2007 tournament was very disappointing. PESH is expected by many to have a down year, but a strong summer effort could begin to turn non-believers around. RB Toben Opurum and 2010 WR Brandon Lewis are the top weapons on offense while on defense DB Josh Peprah anchors things. Overall, there is still plenty of talent for the Panthers but they are young. The weak pool will help PESH gain confidence as they eye a potential semi-final showdown with arch rival Plano.
Dallas Jesuit: The Rangers don’t look to be quite as active in SQT play as they usually are as this will likely be their only shot to advance to the State Tournament for the first time since 2001. Jesuit doesn’t have a ton of speed or talent and they’ve had trouble making any noise in the past few years in 7 on 7 play and I expect their struggles to continue this week.
Rockwall Heath: The Hawks who are switching to a spread offense this year are making their first big push in SQT play this year. Heath has some major talent on offense and it starts with QB Drew Hollingshead. RB Kendial Lawrence and WR/RB Everett Gilbert both have major speed and can give defenses problems. The defense will be anchored by LB Austin Moss who transferred to Heath from South Garland.
Hebron JV: Hebron has an interesting quandary, their Varsity squad is playing at Frisco Liberty SQT this week and only one team can qualify per school. Hebron however has enough depth that their second squad could possibly advance out of pool play. What if both teams advance out of pool play?? This will create an interesting scenario if it plays out and could require communication between the two SQTs.
Little Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano East
Big Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano East
POOL C
Plano West: The Wolves are seeking their first ever trip to the State Tournament and although most of their talent is in the trenches their pool looks to be very favorable and I look for them to advance out of pool play with little trouble. DB J.T. Thomas is the player to watch.
Mansfield Legacy: The Broncos who are playing their first season at the Varsity level will likely take some serious licks in SQT play, however this week’s pool is going to be fairly kind to the Broncos. Keep an eye on Terry Franklin, he’s committed to Oklahoma as a DE but he will likely see time at TE.
DeSoto: The Eagles are playing in their first ever SQT and talent wise DHS is as good as anyone. The Eagles are looking to get sophomore to be QB Ryan Polite some extra summer work as he looks to mature. Other players to watch are RB Marcus Murphy, WR Darius Terrell and DB Adrian White. DeSoto will likely battle Plano West for pool supremacy and I’ll give the edge to West based on SQT experience.
Plano John Paul II: John Paul struggled mightily during the season and I don’t expect them to have much luck this week in SQT play, however the experience of playing tough competition will likely help in the fall.
Little Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano West
Big Matt’s Pool Pick: Plano West
POOL D
Allen: The Eagles have not made the State Tournament since 2005 and last year the Eagles basically abandoned SQT play only sending a squad of JV players to the Wylie SQT. However this year Allen looks to be taking SQT play more seriously as they are entered in two SQTs. WR Uzoma Nwachukwu is the top offensive play maker but QB Matt Brown is the straw the stirs the drink for AHS. If Brown plays well Allen has a chance to win a tough pool.
Rockwall: The Yellow Jackets have qualified for the past three State Tournaments but this year might be tougher to make it four in a row. RHS will have to find a leader at QB with the graduation of Braden Smith who led RHS to a runner up finish in 2006. WR Adam Dingwell who at 6’4 can go up and make plays in the passing game.
South Grand Prairie: SGP is making their SQT debut and much like Skyline the Warriors are simply loaded with talent. WR’s Dewayne Peace and Will Adams are both suberb playmakers but the Warriors will have to get good play at QB in order to have any chance at getting out of the tournament’s toughest pool. SGP has playmakers on the defensive side of the ball with Thomas Ferguson, Vincent McDaniel, Ashton Macrus and Texas commit Patrick Nkwopara.
Plano Prestonwood: The other private school in this SQT will likely be simply overwhelmed in a pool with literally three giants.
Little Matt’s Pool Pick: Allen
Big Matt’s Pool Pick: Rockwall
SEMI-FINALS
Little Matt’s Picks: Plano over Plano East and Allen over Plano West
Big Matt’s Picks: Plano over Plano East and Plano West over Rockwall
FINALS
Little Matt’s Pick: Plano over Allen
Big Matt’s Pick: Plano West over Plano