Posted: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 08:08 AM - 7,742 Readers

By: Danny Davis

Five to watch in 7-on-7

Among the 125-plus 7-on-7 football teams that will compete this week in College Station are a dozen from Central Texas. Here are five local schools to keep an eye on at the state tournament:

Cameron Yoe The Yoemen have been participating in 7-on-7 competition for only two seasons, but the school has advanced to the state tournament each year. A year ago, Yoe advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division II tournament. Quarterback Jack Rhoades, the son of head coach Rick Rhoades, will lead the Yoemen.

Canyon Lake Junior Jeff Nabors takes over at quarterback for a Hawks team that made its first 11-man playoff appearance last year. An all-district first baseman, Nabors also helped Canyon Lake into the 3A baseball playoffs this spring. A good showing in College Station could send a message to the Hawks' rivals. Two other District 26-3A teams — Wimberley and Bandera — also are playing in the Division II 7-on-7 tournament.

Georgetown Georgetown won the Division I title of this tournament in 2007, and the Eagles have advanced to the second round of the championship bracket in three of the past four years. In June, at an Austin-area qualifier for the Red Bull passing tournament, Georgetown reached the title game before losing to Lake Travis 27- 18. Senior receiver Cal Spangler caught eight touchdown passes last year, when he earned all-district honors.

Lake Travis Lake Travis has won three straight 11-man state titles while passing for 14,512 yards and 150 touchdowns. During that same time span, the Cavaliers have failed to advance past the quarterfinals at the state 7-on-7 tournament. Quarterback Michael Brewer, a Texas Tech recruit, will lead a Cavaliers offense that has solid receivers in Conner Floyd and Tanner Gillette.

Stony Point The Division I tournament's defending champion will be looking to become the first team to win back-to-back titles. Senior Stephen Williams, a flex player who was the tournament MVP last summer, will be a favorite target of rotating quarterbacks Aaryn Sharp and Gus Barrera. In the past three years, Williams has accounted for 2,462 yards of offense and 20 touchdowns.

Other Central Texas qualifiers: Division I — Belton, Copperas Cove, McNeil, Pflugerville; Division II — Burnet, Lexington, Wimberley