Main as much as the 2024 Texas State 7on7 Match, Dave Campbell’s Texas Soccer Insider Matt Stepp referred to as pool H, the one Graham was set to play in, “simply the pool of loss of life.”
Pool H of Division II, an accumulation of all 4A colleges, 3A Division I and a few personal colleges, “pound for pound is likely to be the most effective pool in the whole event,” Stepp stated.
Whereas it might have been an unfortunate draw, the Graham Steers went 1-2 in pool play and salvaged a win within the first spherical of bracket play earlier than they finally noticed their event run finish within the second spherical.
The pool of loss of life was an apt description for Graham and its rivals. The Steers went up towards the Kilgore Bulldogs, the Dallas Kimball Knights and the Hamshire-Fannett Longhorns.
Though 7on7 is a distinct beast than common 11-man soccer with pads on, many abilities translate and might result in success and failure on the sphere. All 4 groups in pool H have been not too long ago given preseason high 25 rankings by DCTF for the 2024 season.
Kilgore got here in ranked the very best as fifth place in 4A DI, Dallas Kimball earned a Twentieth-place choice in 4A DI, Graham was positioned ninth in 4A DII and Hamshire-Fannett got here in barely additional again at thirteenth in DII.
Graham and Dallas Kimball each fell within the spherical of 16, typically known as the “Candy 16,” however Kilgore and Hamshire-Fannett each reached the Remaining 4, the place the Longhorns took down the Bulldogs and proceeded to win the 7on7 DII championship.
Not solely was Graham confronted with a gauntlet in pool play, however after the Steers defeated Robinson within the first spherical of bracket play, they matched up with the Dumas Demons, who have been the state runners-up after later dropping to Hamshire-Fannett within the championship.
Suffice to say the chances could have been barely stacked towards the Steers on this yr’s competitors. The extent of competitors, mixed with climate issues which pressured the third recreation of pool play to be performed early Friday morning, made issues troublesome as Graham seemed to win their first 7on7 championship since final doing so in 2017.
Coming into the 2024 state event, the Steers had flashed brilliance all through their state qualifying event (SQT) season. Graham competed in 4 SQTs and completed with an total report of 12-1 whereas qualifying for state of their first competitors.
The crew had almost two weeks from their final SQT to the beginning of the state event, however the Steers seemed assured in each recreation all season, together with their one loss to Stephenville.
Graham kicked off pool play Thursday, June 27 with a rematch towards the crew that knocked them out of the event final yr in Hamshire-Fannett. The Longhorns got here reloaded and in an offensive battle, the Steers took a 40-27 loss.
Not lengthy after that, the offense slowed as Graham and Kilgore’s defenses battled it out with the Bulldogs taking a 19-14 win which moved the Steers to 0-2. Faculty Station noticed lightning storms which pressured the postponement of the third video games of pool play to the morning of Friday, June 28.
On that morning, Graham did simply sufficient to safe at the very least one win in pool play with a 12-7 victory over Dallas Kimball. The Steers completed pool play 1-2 and in third place as groups moved to bracket play.
Graham matched up with the Robinson Rockets and returned to type with a 28-14 win to maneuver into the Candy 16, the place they met the Dumas Demons.
These two groups knew one another properly, because the Steers had defeated the Demons within the championship recreation of their first SQT this season to punch their ticket to the state event.
Dumas bought the higher of Graham on this spherical two match-up in an 18-7 win that ended the Steers’ event hopes.
Whereas 7on7 outcomes haven’t any actual influence on the autumn season, it’s a chance to follow and formulate chemistry amongst teammates. Though Graham’s run ended prematurely, the Steers improved in lots of areas and located issues to work on as they put together for fall camp and a shot at a real state championship this yr.
