POOL A

Southlake Carroll- The Dragons haven’t missed out on the State Tournament since 2004 but they are in some serious danger this year. According to the coaches SLC was going to be done after the Coppell SQT but due to the lengthy playoff run by the baseball team the Dragons were not at full strength most of the summer. With a fully loaded team, the Dragons are dangerous and a favorite to win the pool and also qualify.

Fort Worth Eastern Hills- The Highlanders are very young, but they showed signs of maturing at the Southlake Carroll SQT on June 7 when they posted a 2-1 record. Eastern Hills is in a much tougher pool this week and simply getting out of this SQT with a win might be about all they can expect. Everett Walker and Damon Barrett anchor the EHHS secondary.

Irving MacArthur- The Cardinals are playing in their one SQT this year, although usually they play in a SQT much earlier in the summer. Mac has made the State Tournament once and that was back in 2002. The headliners for the Cardinals are their LB’s in Tariq Allen and Jeremy Brown.

South Grand Prairie- The Warriors got close to qualifying on May 31 at Plano as they fell in the semi-finals to Plano West. Then they fell to a disappointing 1-2 mark at Coppell’s SQT two weeks ago, however with a full group back the Warriors are talented enough to knock SLC off. WR’s Dewayne Peace and Will Adams lead the way and a talented secondary with Thomas Ferguson leading the way will be a tough matchup for SLC and I think the Warriors will advance out of pool play.

Little Matt’s Pick: South Grand Prairie

Big Matt’s Pick: Southlake Carroll

POOL B

West Mesquite- The Wranglers were impressive last week at the Mesquite SQT posting a 2-1 mark bur failing to advance out of pool play. WR Skyler Scott leads an athletic and talented crew of athletes, and QB Treyvone Boykin continues to progress for the WMHS. With their talent West Mesquite is a strong bet to win the SQTs weakest pool.

Fort Worth Paschal- The Panthers took some major lumps at the Colleyville Heritage SQT on May 24 going 0-3 in a pool that was very tough. Although I don’t think PHS is as bad at seven on seven as some think, they aren’t a threat to win this pool either.

Arlington Martin- The Warriors made it all the way to the semi-finals at the Coppell SQT a couple of weeks ago in surprising fashion considering they were 0-3 at Colleyville Heritage’s SQT in May 24. Martin is athletic but they are also very young and that could come back to bite them as they take on an experienced West Mesquite bunch.

Grand Prairie- The Gophers are making their SQT debut this week for 2008 in fact GPHS hasn’t played in SQTs since qualifying for the State Tournament back in 2000. Grand Prairie has some good athletes but they lack depth, however this pool isn’t too tough and GPHS could escape with one maybe two wins.

Little Matt’s Pick: West Mesquite

Big Matt’s Pick: West Mesquite

POOL C

Colleyville Heritage- The Panthers along with Arlington Lamar are the only two teams to have qualified for every State Tournament, but that streak is in serious jeopardy for CHHS. The Panthers made the semi-finals at the Southlake Carroll SQT on June 7 before losing a heartbreaker to Duncanville, despite not having a full team. Expect all hands on deck this week as CHHS makes one last push.

Midlothian- This will be the fifth SQT for Midlothian this year and they have yet to even advance past pool play. Last week might have been the Panthers best shot at Brownwood but a loss to Fredericksburg ended those chances. QB Bryce Petty leads the way but he’s got a questionable supporting cast at best.

Arlington Seguin- The Cougars were a major disappointment last week at Mesquite’s SQT going 0-3. They have some good talent but QB questions continue to cloud the Cougars, if they get better play at that spot they have a chance to win some games but in what is a tough pool they could also go 0-3. WR Darian Hogg is the top playmaker on offense and DB Joseph Francis is the top defender.

Aledo- The Bearcats started back playing SQTs last year, but without do it all star Cole Loftin they might not threaten for a spot in the State Tournament like they did last year. QB Tanner McDonald is a good passer who can make all the throws but can his skill players make enough plays?

Little Matt’s Pick: Colleyville Heritage

Big Matt’s Pick: Aledo

POOL D

Plano East- Another team looking to make one final push for the State Tournament is the PESH Panthers. Plano East has some good young skill talent led by RB Toben Opurm and WR Brandon Lewis. On defense Josh Peprah anchors an athletic secondary group and with their backs against the wall I expect Plano East to come out strong and roll through this pool.

Arlington Sam Houston- Once a seven on seven power when now Bowie HC was at Sam Houston, the Texans are back playing SQTs for the first time since 2003. Sam Houston has some good speed with WR’s Jeremy Bailey and Jacolby Johnson, but with a lack of seven on seven experience and depth look for the Texans to struggle.

North Crowley- The Panthers played in their first SQT at Colleyville Heritage on May 24 and despite going 0-2 they were competitive. DB Eric Wilson has the potential to be one of the best in the state and WR Terrence Crumley is a dangerous deep threat.

Flower Mound Marcus- The Marauders are back in SQT play after taking 2006 off with the coaching change. RB Stephen Hopkins is a bruiser and likely won’t make an impact in the 7 on 7 game but keep your eye on WR Michael Gill who will be a thorn in the side of opposing defenses.

Little Matt’s Pick: Plano East

Big Matt’s Pick: Plano East

SEMI-FINALS

Little Matt’s Picks: West Mesquite over South Grand Prairie and Plano East over Colleyville Heritage s

Big Matt’s Picks: Southlake Carroll over West Mesquite and Plano East over Aledo

FINALS

Little Matt’s Pick: West Mesquite over Plano East