NEW CHALLENGE
St. Pius X savors its opportunity at the state 7-on-7 tournament.
St. Pius X is heading to the 7-on-7 Division I state tournament next week in College Station for the first time.
Grant Gunnell intends to put on a show.
The 6-5 quarterback recently committed to Texas A&M, and he and his talented teammates want to demonstrate what they’re capable of doing on a more level playing field with the larger UIL schools.
“We love it,” Gunnell said. “It’ll be a lot of fun.”
The Panthers won the New Caney state qualifying tourney last week to secure their first appearance in the Division I tourney. They previously qualified for the Division II field in 2012 and 2014.
The 7-on-7 state tourney is June 29 to July 1 at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.
“It’s our guys’ first time, and they’re all super fired up about it,” coach Stephen Hill said. “They’ve never gotten to go experience it, and all their friends have, so it’s something they really wanted.” But first things first. St. Pius X is the reigning TAPPS 7-on-7 state champ, and it’s out to defend that title this weekend in Fort Worth.
Then it’s on to College Station.
Emphasis on 7-on-7
With Gunnell, an incoming junior, leading the way last week, the Panthers beat New Caney Porter (46-7), Atascocita (43-32) and Willis (41-34) in pool play, then defeated Belton 49-26 in the semifinals.
They jumped on Belton, a Class 5A stalwart, early and were in control by halftime.
“They played really well as a team on both sides of the ball,” Hill said.
Hill, gearing up for his fourth season, was thrilled.
His 2011 Kinkaid team rolled into the Division II 7-on-7 state championship game before falling 27-20 to Melissa at Kyle Field — contributing to the decision to elevate the private schools to Division I — so he knows a quality 7-on-7 squad when he sees one, and this group definitely is that.
“I place an emphasis on 7-on-7 because that’s what we do in the fall, and so for those quarterbacks and receivers to be able to get their timing down … it gives us an advantage going into the fall,” Hill said.
“Defensively, I understand it’s an offensive game, and we do a few things differently in the fall … but it’s all about our guys competing and trying to find a way to win.”
They’re already doing that — against much bigger public schools.
St. Pius, with roughly 600 students, beat the Ridge Point and Dawson 7-on-7 teams in an earlier state qualifying tournament, and the Panthers beat San Angelo Central 48-20 and nearly toppled Abilene at the Lubbock qualifier.
Those are all 6As with four times as many students.
“We can match up with anyone in the state at our skill positions,” Hill said.
“We don’t match up as well on the offensive and defensive lines, just because of sheer numbers and size, but when we’re playing 7-on-7 we can play with anybody.”
‘A man among boys’
Gunnell can match up with any QB in the country.
He threw for 4,973 yards and 65 touchdowns in 12 games last year, leading St. Pius to the TAPPS Division I semifinals.
He picked A&M out of dozens of offers from a who’s who of college football.
“He’s a man among boys out there,” Hill said.
“He stands at 6-5, throws the ball real well, and he’s an extension of me on the field.”
The towering signal caller is throwing to his top two receivers from last year, incoming seniors Bryson Jackson (69-1,607, 21 TDs), who has 36 FBS offers, and Jacob Jefferson (70-1,274, 15 TDs) a Northwestern commit, along with College Park transfer Chase Lane, a fellow Aggies pledge.
Linebacker Bruno Forestieri, their QB on defense, 6-3 free safety Ricky Lester, who holds offers from Abilene Christian and Northern Colorado, and cornerback Jarvis Johnson lead their 7-on7 defense.
Together, they’re aiming for two titles this month — and a weightier one in the fall.
“We’ve been one game away from the (11-man TAPPS Division I) state championship the past two years, so that’s the drive,” Hill said. “That’s our focus — on making sure we have a great season, win the district championship … get past that state semifinal and have the opportunity to play for a ring.”