Football: Cougars set to play host Saturday

Seven of the 10 District 17-5A schools are set to play in this week's Cy Creek Texas Bowl 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament, and four of the co-members are in one pool.

District neighbors Cy-Fair, Cy Falls, Cy Springs and Cy Woods battle in Pool B in games at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday, May 28, with the top finisher moving into the 1 p.m. semifinals, and possibly to the 2 p.m. championship contest.

The event's other pools feature A&M Consolidated, Terry, Cinco Ranch and host Cy Creek in A; Jersey Village, Klein Oak, Langham Creek and Memorial in C; and Oak Ridge, Stratford, The Woodlands and Tomball in D.

The two finalists earn berths to the 7-on-7 Division I State Tournament for Class 5A and 4A schools on July 15-16 at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Langham Creek is already state bound and will not advance out of pool play, and Klein Oak and A&M Consolidated reached the Sunday semifinals last week.

"The field is pretty wide open and the two that are left standing go on to state," Cy Creek coach Greg McCaig said. "These 7-on-7 events are good as far as getting all of our quarterbacks work, along with our receivers and running backs, and pass coverage on the defensive side."

Cy Creek participated in the Houston Texans Sunday, May 22, SQT with senior Brandon Pryor, and juniors Cole Barbe and Dylan Pugliese taking turns at quarterback.

The Cougars didn't get out of a pool that included Clear Creek, The Woodlands and eventual finalist Langham Creek.

Manvel beat Langham Creek 27-21 in the Sunday finals, and Channelview stopped La Marque 26-20 in the Texans Saturday, May 21, SQT with all four teams qualifying for state.

Cy Creek is looking for a 10th trip to state after going last year, and in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

"We're also looking to play in 7-on-7 state qualifiers at Terry (June 4 in Rosenberg), The Woodlands (June 11) and Cinco Ranch (June 25)," McCaig said. "It will give us a good look at the quarterbacks and how they work with some of the spring standouts like running back Devan Demas and wide receiver Jarred Gipson."

Manvel and Second Baptist also host 7-on-7 SQTs beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 28.