Rebels Without Flaws

It wasn't the state title they are really after, but it's a step in the right direction. The Richland Rebels shocked many in the high school football world by claiming the 4A-5A division state 7-on-7 title in July.

Many observers expected that Richland might not even escape pool play, and then the team again defied odds by winning the championship game without Phillip Gonzalez, who was named the tournament MVP.

Of course, not everyone doubted the Rebels. "When we qualified we felt we had as good a chance as anyone else," said Richland head football coach Gene Weir.

The Rebels began the tournament, held at Texas A&M University, in a four-team pool consisting of Cy Falls, Tyler Lee, and Brady - a 2A school that qualified for the 4A-5A tournament. Richland made quick work of all three to emerge as the top team in the pool. In the first round of the knockout stage, the Rebs downed Rockwall Heath, 47-20, to set up a date with Coppell.

The Cowboys tested the Rebels, but Richland slipped by with a 43-37 victory before then edging Stephenville in the quarterfinals, 40-34.

Relative neighbor Colleyville Heritage was Richland's next victim, as the Rebels ousted the Panthers 42-24 to advance to the championship game against Mesquite.

While waiting for the final game, all-everything athlete Phillip Gonzalez began cramping and was admitted to the hospital with dehydration. His team, behind quarterback Tyler Cotton, rallied without him.

Richland was down 26-14 at halftime, but scored on every possession in the second half and got stellar play from the defense to win 35-32.

Weir can't officially coach the 7-on-7 team, but was in attendance to watch his players.

"7-on-7 does not in any way guarantee success for the season, but it does give you a good foundation to begin with," he said afterward." The boys were competitive all summer and that will help as well as they are put into situations of having to think on their feet as they go. Only time will tell how much it translates into the fall but it has made the summer beneficial."

Ten teams from the area participated in the final tournament. Arlington Lamar was close to facing Richland in the final, but was edged by Mesquite, 33-32, in overtime in the semifinals. The Vikings went for a two-point conversion in OT to win the game, but failed to convert. It was the second consecutive year the Vikings lost a heartbreaker in the semifinals. Lamar played stellar defense in the tournament, posting two shutouts.

Lamar's cross-town rival Bowie appeared set to make a serious run after going 3-0 on the opening day of the competition. However, the Vols' second day was cut short when defending state champion Georgetown ousted Bowie 34-20.

Arlington Martin also exited the tournament in the first round of knockout play, falling to Lufkin 34-27.
Arlington High School failed to advance beyond pool playing, going 1-2 on the tournament's first day.

Hebron cruised through pool play and knocked out Mercedes in bracket play. However, the Hawks couldn't get past its next opponent, Lake Travis.

Denton Guyer won its first game in pool play, but lost two straight to fall into the consolation bracket.