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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Parker Hale runs away from defenders to the endzone for a touchdown Saturday, May 24 against Benbrook in a 7on7 tournament. Hale erupted in the second half of that matchup with two scores on back to back drives. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Parker Hale runs away from the defense for a walk in touchdown Saturday, May 31. Hale was an elusive receiving threat in the passing game for Graham. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Jace Gill finds Brody Martin on a pass Saturday, May 24. Gill passed for four touchdowns in the Steers matchup against Benbrook. The team participated in the state 7on7 tournament Thursday, June 26 and Friday, June 27 at College Station. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) A portion of the Steers 7on7 team pose for a victory photo Saturday, May 31 after a 7on7 tournament. The Steers won all four of their matches in Brownwood and advanced to the state tournament.
At the end of last week, the Graham Steers football skill position players came back from a long break to participate in their 7on7 state tournament matches at College Station.
While they did not come out of the tournament as champions, they still had a strong showing overall and the team’s coaching staff is happy.
“The team has come a long way from where we started in the spring,” Coach Z.T. Burkett said. “With the success of the linemen over the summer in their competitions and the growth of the 7on7 guys, it’s going to be a lot of fun when they all get on the field together.”
When Burkett spoke of the linemen competitions, he was speaking of the state linemen challenge for which Graham also qualified for the state tournament and lost in 4A. However, they did finish the day as tug-of-war champions.
The Steers 7on7 team punched their ticket to the state tournament Saturday, May 31 in Brownwood.
They traveled to College Station for a fresh slate of games Thursday and Friday, June 26-27.
Graham opened the day against Hitchcock. Burkett said the team started fast in that contest and never looked back for a 28-13 victory.
After a two hour rain delay and playing against La Vega and losing, the team bounced back against Van Alstyne with a narrow 24-20 victory.
Finishing 2-1 on the day was enough to move the team into bracket play Friday.
The team dominated Lamesa 25-0 in an unprecedented one sided affair.
“Shutouts are rare in 7on7,” Burkett said. “Great game on both sides of the ball.”
However, their day came to an end going up against Panther Creek. The Steers lost 19-13 to the team that eventually went on to become state champions.
The frustrating thing about this loss for Burkett though was that the win was in the game’s reach. The team had the lead going into the second half of play but ultimately fell short.
While the team didn’t achieve their end goal, they still made strides from a development standpoint.
Burkett was impressed with how quickly the team learned concepts and assignments this summer season.
There are just a few more events, football camp and two-a-day practices standing in between Graham and the regular season.
