To say it’s hot in Texas during the month of June is an understatement. The temperature in Austin was a blistering 102 degrees by the time it rolled around to the semifinal round of the tournament at 1 PM. It was so hot that the rubber parts of multiple cleats were melting and falling apart, leaving some quick shopping to do for multiple players before the premiere event of the summer: the State 7 on 7 Tournament.
Of the 16 teams attending, two had already qualified (Hutto and Round Rock Westwood). That meant out of the rest of the teams attending, which featured some perennial powers (Lake Travis, Austin Westlake, Waco Midway), there would only be two spots.
Out of the four pools, Waco Midway, Lake Travis, Austin Bowie, and Georgetown East View make it to those scorching noon finals, where it ceased to become about anything other than a war of attrition.
On the turf field of Cavalier Stadium, where the temperatures rose into the 110s, Lake Travis got out to an early lead over Waco Midway and kept the throttle open until the end, and Georgetown Lake View and Austin Bowie battled in a tight match that wasn’t fully put away until the last seconds. There was a lot of good football played on Friday, but for some, it was just out of their reach. This was Austin Bowie’s second time to make a SQT semifinal in two weeks, and they fell just short in both.
On the other side of the spectrum was Lake Travis wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was ecstatic to be taking the next steps towards the football season.
“I’m definitely excited, just knowing that we can all win together and everything like that. Hopefully we play well next week and that carries into the fall,” said Wilson.
The State 7 on 7 tournaments will begin on Thursday, June 29th with the 4A and under schools and will continue until Saturday, July 1st.
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