by JASON GORDON
Hays junior Mason Cervenka (18) and the rest of his Hays 7-on-7 teammates will look to hone their skills in the passing league in preparation for the upcoming fall season. (Photo by Joel San Miguel)
Playing with very few athletes that have seen varsity football action, coach Ryan Shelton expects the Hays 7-on-7 passing-league team to improve in the weeks ahead.
The Rebels got off to a fast start during regular season play last Tuesday evening, beating Lehman, but a last-minute touchdown by Dripping Springs gave the Tigers a 25-19 win over Hays in the second game of the night.
Hays once again got off to a solid start in its first state-qualifying tournament Saturday at Lake Travis with a 22-21 win over Class 5A Anderson, but losses followed against eventual tournament winner San Antonio Warren and A&M Consolidated, two more class 5A schools.
“This is by far the youngest 7-on-7 team we’ve ever had,” Ryan Shelton said. “I think we’ve only got two guys we’re playing with right now that have varsity experience, and we’re playing four guys who were freshman last season. That said, I’m extremely proud of the way we’re competing right now and think we’ll definitely improve as the season progresses.”
Last Tuesday, Caleb Kimbro and Mason Cervenka both threw touchdown passes to each other, and Taven Mayberry, Ty Green, Kurt Timmons and Jackson Schaubhut also caught touchdown passes. On the defensive side of the ball, Mayberry returned an interception for a touchdown.
In Saturday’s tournament at Lake Travis, Hays beat Anderson 22-21 on a thrilling 30-yard touchdown pass from Kimbro to Taylor Hough on an out-and-up pattern late in the contest.
That still left Hays trailing by two points, but the Rebels went for the win and Kimbro hit Cervenka with a two-point conversion pass to seal the victory.
JT Sivils also had a big morning at Alamo Heights, catching two touchdown passes in the tourney.
“A few of the players we went up against Saturday have already committed to Division I schools, so there is definitely an adjustment period for a lot of our guys that only have freshman and JV experience,” Ryan Shelton said. “Our goal right now, as it always is in the summer, is to get these guys ready for the fall. Right now we’re trying out a few players at new positions to see how that works.”
Cervenka said he thinks despite the slow start, Hays will definitely be a team to contend with as the 7-on-7 season moves along.
“We’re just getting started, but I’ve seen a lot of positives already,” Cervenka said. “The defense is coming around, and the offense is starting to click. I think we just need to work out a few kinks.
Hays made the state 7-on-7 tournament in College Station last year and Ryan Shelton said he’s confident the Rebs will make a run at a repeat trip to state at one of their final two tournaments, either this Saturday at Alamo Heights or on June 26, when Hays hosts its own tourney. To advance, a team must finish in the top two at a state-qualifying tournament.
“I definitely think state is a realistic goal,” he said. “We’re young, but I think we have a chance to develop into one of the best 7-on-7 teams we’ve had here.”
Cervenka said the state tournament is already on the minds of many of the Hays players.
“Qualifying for state is a big goal,” Cervenka said. “Our goal is not only to qualify but to win a few games once we get there.”
In addition to tournament play, Hays will continue to play two regular season games each Tuesday night at Shelton Stadium through July 6. The 64-team state 7-on-7 tournament will be held July 9-10 at Texas A&M University.
