Lamar using state to cement squad
Young squad keeps Texans’ 7-on-7 tradition alive
Lamar head football coach Tom Nolen normally doesn’t put much of premium on summer 7-on-7.
While the veteran coach embraces the idea of his players getting as many snaps as possible and building camaraderie, winning is secondary.
“It’s not exactly football, but it’s a chance for kids to throw and catch the ball and work on a few things,” Nolen said.
But Nolen’s attitude toward 7-on-7 has shifted slightly – at least for this summer. Graduation hit the Texans especially hard, with only a handful of starters returning from last year’s squad, which claimed the District 20-6A crown and finished 10-2.
“Of our 20 (7-on-7) roster spots, only three of them are seniors,” Nolen said. “We’re young — actually really young. We had a couple of games this summer where we played as many as six sophomores.”
With so many rookies seeing their first significant action, Nolen wasn’t sure what to expect. Yet, Lamar survived the competition by tying Klein Collins for first place at the rainmarred AM Sports Park State Qualifying Tournament in late June.
As result, Lamar claimed a spot in the 64team Division I bracket at the Adidas Texas 7-on-7 Championships this week at the Veterans Park and Athletic Complex in College Station.
The Texans will be in action on Friday, July 10, in Pool L along with Lucas Lovejoy, San Antonio Alamo Heights and Tyler Lee. Bracket play will take place on Saturday, July 11.
Advancing to state 7-on7 is a summer ritual at Lamar. The Texas have qualified the past seven years and 11 times since 2002.
Nolen said it’s impossible to predict how Lamar will fare this week.
“In 7-on-7, it usually comes down to a play or two,” Nolen said. “Hopefully, we’ll have some close games and good competition.”
Regardless of the outcome, Nolen is thrilled with the progress the Texans have made.
Junior Owen Holt has strengthened his hold on the starting quarterback position. Holt replaces J.W. Ketchum III, a Baylor University signee.
“Owen has done well. He’s learned a lot this summer,” Nolen said. “Owen has a big arm, but, more importantly, he’s become a real leader that his teammates can look up to.”
Lamar’s receiving corps is relatively inexperienced, but junior C.J. Fletcher and sophomore Al’vonte Woodard have wowed their coach with their hands and overall athleticism. Woodard is a speedster who ran on the Texans’ track and field team in the spring
“They’ve made some nice catches,” Nolen said of Fletcher and Woodard.
Nolen also lauded the Texans’ running backs, senior Jairan Traylor and junior Dua’vadis Williams.
Lamar’s secondary has been a key to Lamar’s 7-on7 success. Senior cornerback Logan Latin, a threeyear starter, anchors a unit that features senior James Bell and junior Trey Lewis at safety and junior Jordan Stevens at the other cornerback spot.
“It’s hard to win 7-on-7 if you don’t have any defense,” Nolen said. “Our defensive backs have made some big stops.”