The Texas 7-on-7 State Championship has some serious competition now with the national Red Bull Gamebreakers 7-on-7 tournament on the scene. Where the Texas championships feature only high school teams from the Lone Star State, the Red Bull tournament showcases teams from across the country, with the finals held in the Metroplex the same weekend as the state tourney. Aledo and Arlington Martin have already opted to attend the Red Bull event instead of heading to College Station.
On Tuesday afternoon, Round Rock High School hosted a Gamebreakers qualifier, with a number of area teams in attendance. Unfortunately, Lake Travis did not attend, but Austin High's Cayleb Jones and Bastrop's Antwuan Davis were there, making the trip up I-35 from Austin worthwhile.
The Red Bull event also features several major rule differences from state 7-on-7. The major change is the length of the games -- 20 minutes instead of 40, leading to fewer comeback opportunities and less rhythm for the quarterbacks. Additionally, Gamebreakers also has a different scoring system, awarding points for interceptions, defensive stops, and first downs, and allowing the defense a pass rusher, who can begin pressuring the quarterback one second into the play. And instead of the the pool play format used in the state qualifying tournaments, followed by the semifinals and finals, the Red Bull event utilizes a double-elimination format with a winner's bracket and a loser's bracket.
Follow after the jump for some thoughts on Jones and Davis, as well as James Kirkendoll's younger brother, 2014 Round Rock WR Keyon Dilosa.
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