Marble Falls opens 7-on-7 football league by going 3-0
Marble Falls High School receiver Jacob Metcalf stretches to make a touchdown grab during the Mustangs’ 35-0 win against Lago Vista.
JENNIFER FIERRO • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School varsity 7-on-7 football team began the Highland Lakes 7-on-7 League by going 3-0. Llano finished the night with a 1-2 mark.
The Mustangs beat Lago Vista 35-0, Lampasas 26-21 and Llano 32-18.
The Yellow Jackets defeated Lampasas 19-12 but lost to Lago Vista 33-21.
Marble Falls head coach Matt Green said he enjoyed seeing his players begin the league with a shutout. In addition, he credited Lampasas for making the Mustangs work.
Both squads scored on opening drives, third and fourth drives. That gave the Badgers a 21-20 lead with about four minutes left in the contest.
Quarterback Cade Cool led the Mustangs on a six-play drive that ended with him hitting running back Daven Manning on a 10-yard touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Badgers had two minutes left to win the game. Instead, the Marble Falls defense forced a three-and-out to ensure the victory.
“They made plays,” Green said, “but we found a way to win.”
The Mustangs kept the momentum going against Llano. Again, both teams scored on opening drives. Cool found Micah Wise for a touchdown and hit Manning to score the extra point, while Jackets quarterback Wyatt Casey passed to Mason Greenwood for a touchdown. The extra-point pass was incomplete.
Marble Falls took the lead for good when Eric Cauble caught a touchdown pass and defensive back Jackson Cox intercepted a pass. Cool and Cauble converted that turnover into a 29-yard touchdown.
Green said that, as the Mustangs got more comfortable, there were fewer turnovers on downs. That’s important because 7-on-7 favors the offense thanks to 45-yard fields and no pass rush. If receivers can quickly find holes in the defense, passes are typically completed, especially since the defensive backs have to chase receivers.
“We’re getting better,” he said. “We’re starting to get rhythm, we’re getting kids lots of reps. We’re building team chemistry. Our team chemistry is getting better.”
Llano head coach Craig Slaughter was happy to see his players log some field time. Because of the May rains, the Yellow Jackets were only able to play in the Burnet 7-on-7 League once.
“It’s always good,” he said. “I’m glad to see them throwing, catching and competing.”
He noted Casey’s footwork and mechanics looked good as displayed by the fact he passed the ball to a variety of receivers. Other Jackets who scored touchdowns against Marble Falls were Airon Layton and Luke Snitkin. The coach said he’s pleased that Casey is demonstrating a desire to look for the open teammate. That shows the quarterback is not locking on one receiver, he said.
One area he’d like to see receivers improve on is their spacing. He wants them to get quicker at finding those holes and creating an area where Casey can safely launch the football.
Overall, Slaughter said, he saw plenty of positives that will help his players.
“I think we consistently moved the ball better,” he said.
jfierro@thepicayune.com