Posted 12:19 am Friday, July 10, 2009
Whitehouse Continuing Program Renewal
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
This summer, Whitehouse passed more than time.
Staff Writer
This summer, Whitehouse passed more than time.
Thanks to its aerial game, Whitehouse passed its way to the 64-team Division I 7-on-7 state championship, which begins today in College Station.
The trip to state marks Whitehouse's second all-time, and first since 2002.
The Wildcats won the Tyler Lee State Qualifier to gain entry. Whitehouse drew Pool F, which includes Austin Anderson, Plano East, and Cypress Fairbanks.
Today's schedule calls for games against Cypress Fairbanks (1 p.m.), Austin Anderson (3 p.m.) and Plano East (5 p.m.). Cypress-Fairbanks leads the group with 10 state appearances, followed by five-time qualifier Plano East and first-year participant Austin Anderson.
The top two finishers in each pool advance to the single-elimination championship bracket on Saturday, with the other two teams going to the challenger's division.
"It's a balanced pool," Whitehouse 7-on-7 coach Chris Conder said. "There are no weak links."
Having an explosive offense in a sport based on scoring serves as a confidence-booster for Whitehouse.
The team lost a familiar face at quarterback in Stephen F. Austin-bound Brady Attaway. Preston Conder, the coach's son who replaced Attaway, used the summer to get familiar to his fall targets.
A plethora of talented wideouts surround the younger Conder -- led by two-way threat Quincy Aldridge, Skip Caldwell, Trey Metoyer and Logan Newton. Metoyer went over 1,000-yards receiving last year to earn All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year honors. Newton and Caldwell teamed up for 60 receptions while Aldridge picked off 11 passes on defense.
Defensively, coach Conder considered the likes of safety Jermaine Kennedy and linebacker Logan Taylor as the quarterbacks on that side of the ball.
"We want to try and win it," Conder said. "We think we have the talent -- 7-on-7 is not real football, it's a different game. The game is meant to score and we think that favors us. On defense we've played well lately and I think they're starting to gel. It's going to be a tough chore but we think we're capable."
Whitehouse continues to improve its reputation on the gridiron, which includes three straight postseason appearances. Whitehouse returns 16 starters from a seven-win team and hopes to use the summer as a springboard for more fall success.
"This is a chance for a Whitehouse program that hasn't been an East Texas powerhouse -- with coach (Randy) McFarlin getting here it's getting better -- to make noise and step up to the next level and show they belong with better teams in state," continued Conder. "They're looking forward to the real season. This is a chance before the real season to show what they've got in front of the state."
Notes:
Arlington Lamar is making its tournament-record 12th straight appearance. Katy and Robert E. Lee are tied for second all-time with 11 state appearances each. Of the three, only Lee has won a state title (2004). Defending champ Richland is making its third straight trip to state.
Arlington Lamar is making its tournament-record 12th straight appearance. Katy and Robert E. Lee are tied for second all-time with 11 state appearances each. Of the three, only Lee has won a state title (2004). Defending champ Richland is making its third straight trip to state.
