KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer
SAN BENITO — After their state qualifying tournament was pushed back to this weekend due to weather, the Hounds will get their shot at reaching the state 7on7 tournament next week in College Station.
The Hounds will be at the Sam Brown state qualifying tournament in Houston starting this afternoon. There will be 32 teams and only two of those teams will punch their ticket to College Station.
“I think consistency will be the key for us this weekend,” said Hounds linebacker AJ Garcia. “We will need an all-out effort from every one of us in order to have a successful tournament.”
Despite the recent rain fall, Mother Nature hasn’t slowed down the Hounds.
“We have prepared for this weekend through the 7on7 leagues and tournaments,” said Hounds quarterback Jacob Cavazos. “After our strength and conditioning, we will go out and work on something’s together.”
The Hounds will be in Pool G and will play on field three. San Benito will square off against Richmond George Ranch, Huntsville and Conroe Oak Ridge. Another Valley school that will be at the tournament is Mission Veterans.
The Patriots will be in Pool D and will play on field four. The Patriots will meet Alief Taylor, Sam Houston and John Cooper.
Game times are slated for 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. and the quarterfinal games set to begin at 8 p.m.
“We’re not familiar with the teams in our pool, but we’re not taking any of them for granted,” Cavazos said. “Our plan is to take it one game at a time.”
Division I schools will kickoff the state tournament Friday June 29th at the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station. The Hounds are looking to reach the state tournament for the fourth time and for the first time since the 2007 season.