Football: Falcons enjoying summer season

Jersey Village qualified for the 7-on-7 State Tournament with a second place at the Cy Creek Texas Bowl last week to the surprise of many, including longtime Falcons football head coach David Snokhous.

"I was really pleasantly shocked by how well we played, and very excited that we did play that well in reaching the championship game," he said. "We were also missing two or three of our players who consistently make big contributions, like (senior) running back Victor Brown, so the performance by those players who were there was even more impressive.

"They just did a great job."

The Falcons advanced out of a pool that included Klein Oak, Memorial and Langham Creek, and then beat The Woodlands in the championship semifinals to earn their second state berth (the other was in 2009).

Jersey Village fell to Cy Falls 46-33 in the finals with the state berth already secured (top two finishers in every SQT advance to state).

"We as coaches know that 7-on-7 is not the cure-all for your problems, but it's a part of the big picture, especially when you're trying to improve and working new people into the lineup," Snokhous said, "and whenever you can go out and compete in something and win, it's a big positive."

That's exactly what Jersey Village is looking for following a 1-9 overall and 1-8 District 17-5A finish in 2010, and the Falcons will get an early start on fall practice on Aug. 1 after not going through full spring workouts.

"We lifted and ran and did everything except hit and tackle in the spring, and we feel like the extra week in August will really help us," Snokhous said. "That all leads up to our one scrimmage with Klein, and the season opener against Tomball.

Helping take the Falcons to a second state tournament at the Cy Creek 7-on-7 event were senior quarterback Clay Magnuson, senior receivers Kyle Survance, Connor Neagli and Will Carey, junior wide out Jamie Parker and sophomore receiver Bama Akinniyi, and defensive backs La Travien Gee and Ben Mosley, among others.

"Really, everyone played very well and it turned into a trip to state," Snokhous said. "That will be a great experience for these players, especially some of the younger one who are new to the varsity. They'll be able to see and compete with some of the best teams and players from around the state, and that will hopefully help us to improve."

Jersey Village's junior varsity was 8-1-1 last season, so along with the returning starters and lettermen, there's more talent on the way up.

"We're excited about the season, and the success of 7-on-7 only adds to it," Snokhous said. "It's all about getting better week in and week out, and putting yourself in a position to advance."

The Falcons' last trip to the postseason was in 2006 after a tie for third place resulted in a bidistrict playoff loss to Katy.

After scrimmaging Klein and opening against Tomball, Jersey Village jumps right into its 2011 District 17-5A schedule against Cy Ranch in the first of nine league outings.