HARLINGEN — Santa Rosa’s 7-on-7 team practiced Tuesday, a light practice, ensuring no one is injured before embarking to the Texas 7-on-7 state tournament for the first time in school history.
Santa Rosa, competing in Division III, takes on Childress, Chilton and Henrietta in pool play today in College Station. On Friday morning, the Warriors will play in a single-elimination bracket to decide the champion.
“Making it this far is an accomplishment, but we are not done yet,” Warriors quarterback Bryan Rojas said. “We are pushing for more, and we want to win this tournament. We are a small town with a lot of heart, we play with a lot of heart and that is what got us to the tournament.”
Santa Rosa’s opponents in pool play all made the playoffs in pads last season. Childress went 10-1 last season.
“I think it is going to be a cool little memory that we are going to have for the rest of our lives,” Santa Rosa receiver Julius Olmedo said.
Warriors cornerback Diego Cruz is ready to face good receivers at the tournament because it is a chance to work on his skills and technique.
San Benito returns to the state tournament after a 15-year absence. The Greyhounds, competing in Division I, begin their tournament Friday.
“Qualifying was a proud moment for all of us,” linebacker Troy Castillo said. “It is something we have not done in a while. We are very excited to go do what we have to do, go to work.”
Red Oak and Midlothian Heritage, two Class 5A schools from the Dallas area, will be the first two opponents for the Greyhounds. Aldine Eisenhower, the Greyhounds’ final group opponent, is an intriguing game because of wide receiver and cornerback Ryan Niblett, a four-star recruit committed to the University of Texas.
The Greyhounds revel in the opportunity to face talented players from up north.
“The competition we will see is definitely going to be different from the Valley,” wide receiver Ricky Perez said. “But we are ready.”
To qualify for the state tournament, San Benito’s defense allowed an average of 14.5 points during the four qualifying games.
Mariano Garcia, an outside linebacker, said the defense and the team were motivated by not qualifying for the tournament last season. Garcia and Castillo said the defense has a lot of seniors that have been playing together for years and know how to play like a unit.
