Pearland serving early notice this summer State 7-on-7 berth gives Oilers chance for to get ready for fall

Pearland's Connor Blumrick has taken on a leadership role with the Oilers during 7-on-7 action. Pearland's Connor Blumrick has taken on a leadership role with the Oilers during 7-on-7 action. Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance Photo: Diana L. Porter, Freelance Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Pearland serving early notice this summer 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

For a team that never has emphasized 7-on-7, Pearland seems to be doing pretty well every summer.

For the second year in a row and for the ninth time since 2001, Pearland has qualified for the 7-on-7 state tournament. The Oilers next week will head to College Station with more than 125 other teams in Division I and Division II fields.

Pearland qualified in its first try, all the way back on May 21.

Coach Tony Heath said 7-on-7 is a great way for the players to compete with one another during the offseason. They can develop chemistry and bond off the field. The Oilers view 7-on-7 as an extension of what they do in the fall.

"Anything you compete in you want to win so we go out there to win and to put our best performance out there," Heath said. "It is not the end of the world if you don't qualify for state, but you want to see your kids play disciplined, have respect for the other team and work as a group. If they do all those things and they don't win then it's still OK."

Pearland has a decent history of winning at the state tournament. Last year the Oilers qualified for the championship bracket and beat Coppell in the first round before losing to Fort Worth All Saints. They also qualified for the championship bracket in 2013 and 2010. In 2009 Pearland played all the way to the consolation final.

This summer's group has been led by quarterback Connor Blumrick, who Heath said has matured and taken on a big leadership role. Safety Blake Parrish has been a leader on the defense. Senior wide receiver Tristan Gibson has played well after recovering from an ankle injury. He could be a breakout player in the fall.

"This is a totally new group from the year before," Heath said. "You play your pool and you hope to get into the winner's bracket. When we see them out there we want them to compete hard."

Pearland is not the only local team headed to state. Dawson qualified in its last chance Saturday. It is the Eagles' second consecutive year and fifth since 2009.

More Information Summer state A yearly tradition: The popularity of 7-on-7 football has been growing over the last two decades. Next week in College Station more than 100 teams will compete in the 18th annual state tournament. Local flavor: Five area teams have qualified. Manvel is in for the fifth year in a row and is coming off back-to-back semifinal appearances. Pearland and Dawson are in the Division I field for the second year in a row. Lutheran South has qualified in Division II in consecutive seasons. Clear Brook is in for the first time. Schedule: The Division II tournament will be July 7-8. Division I teams will compete July 8-9.

Manvel has a tremendous 7-on-7 history. The Mavericks are headed to state for the fifth year in a row and sixth time in school history. They lost to Austin Westlake in double overtime of last year's championship game. In 2014 they advanced to the semifinals of the championship bracket.

Clear Brook this year qualified for the first time. Lutheran South Academy will be in the Division II field for the second year in a row.

The Division II tournament is July 7-8. The Division I tournament is July 8-9. Once the tournament is over all teams across the state will look forward to what Heath calls "real football" in the fall. Next week, however, Heath is happy that his team gets to participate in a competitive environment.