Pool A Predicted Order of Finish

1. Hitchcock
2. Lake Dallas
3. Lubbock Christian
4. Sabine

Two-time defending champion Hitchcock is primed to make a run at the first ever three-peat in State 7-on-7 history, but they did draw a tough pool. Lake Dallas, who made the Division I state tournament a year ago drops down to 4A and will pose a threat along with Lubbock Christian who is in their second straight appearance in College Station. Sabine out of East Texas is back at the state tournament for the first time in over a decade, but the Cardinals lack the firepower to keep up.

Pool B Predicted Order of Finish

1. Austin LBJ
2. Alvarado
3. Brookshire Royal
4. La Grange

This pool is super intriguing on paper as Austin LBJ enters as one of the pre-tournament favorites, while Alvarado enters as a real sleeper to make some big noise. They’ll play the opening game of the tournament and that could decide the pool winner, Brookshire Royal is dangerous because they have the dynamic athletes to keep up with LBJ and Alvarado, while La Grange is not to be overlooked despite being a late replacement for Hereford. 

Pool C Predicted Order of Finish

1. Celina
2. Little River-Academy
3. Somerset
4. West Columbia

Perennial powerhouse Celina is always listed among the tournament favorites, but the Bobcats will have to navigate a challenging pool that features two dangerous teams in Little River-Academy and Somerset. West Columbia was a surprise qualifier out of the Houston area, but the Roughnecks may struggle in what looks to be a strong pool.

Pool D Predicted Order of Finish

1. Ponder
2. Sinton
3. Robinson
4. Lumberton

I don’t have a good feel for this pool, in fact any one of these four teams winning the pool would not shock me, but I’ll give the slight lean to Ponder who had a strong performance in last year’s state tournament. Sinton and Robinson are newcomers to the State Tournament, but both have enough offensive punch to be a threat, while Lumberton was a surprise qualifier out of the Golden Triangle.

Pool E Predicted Order of Finish

1. Mineral Wells
2. Lorena
3. Beeville Jones
4. Needville

If you are looking for a deep sleeper at the State Tournament Mineral Wells fits the bill, the Rams are underrated across the board and have played well all summer. Lorena in a regular at the State Tournament but they weren’t able to qualify until the final week of SQT play in Division II play down at Rockdale. Beeville Jones is in their first trip to the State Tournament in quite sometime and will be a tough out along with a young and scrappy Needville squad.

Pool F Predicted Order of Finish

1. Dumas
2. Frisco Panther Creek
3. Glen Rose
4. West Orange-Stark

This one contender for “pool of death” as all four of these teams bring something unique and dynamic to the table, regardless of how things shake out on Day 1 all four of these teams could be threats when we get to bracket play Friday. Dumas has a wealth of experience across the board and they always play extremely well at the State Tournament, while Panther Creek brings maybe the top two WR threats in the entire tournament to the table. Glen Rose also features a wealth of experience and may have the best QB in the pool, while West Orange-Stark brings elite secondary play and athleticism to the party.

Pool G Predicted Order of Finish

1. Bay City
2. Whitney
3. Yoakum
4. Decatur

Bay City is another one of those teams that may not jump off the page as a favorite in the tournament, but the Blackcats showed just how dangerous they can be when they knocked off Hitchcock in the LaGrange SQT to get their spot in the State Tournament. Whitney was a surprise qualifier in the Brownwood SQT and the Wildcats were flat out dominant in that run. Yoakum and Decatur may be a step behind these two, but Yoakum’s got the athleticism to give teams trouble.

Pool H Predicted Order of Finish

1. Graham
2. Dallas Kimball
3. Hamshire-Fannett
4. Kilgore

My goodness what a pool!! This is easily the pool of death in Pool H and pound for pound might be the best pool in the entire tournament. Graham is back as a contender to win the entire thing after the Steers made a deep push a year ago with a young team, Hamshire-Fannett is the team that knocked the Steers out in the Round of 16 and although the Longhorns are much younger, they are still quite formidable. Kimball and Kilgore are relative newcomers to State 7-on-7 as each is making their first appearance, both teams are supremely athletic, but can they handle the big stage in 7-on-7 where the margins are quite slim.