Tonight is the official end to Lake Highlands’ 7-on-7 football season, weather permitting, with games starting at 7 p.m. at Plano West’s practice fields.
The Wildcats have been playing in a weekly league against Sachse, Plano West and the new Wylie East. LH did enter one state qualifier, but did not advance to the state tournament which starts next weekend in College Station. The Wildcats could have entered another qualifier to earn a berth, but winning a touch football title is not the goal of LH’s 7-on-7 program.
“Our focus isn’t on being the best 7-on-7 team in the state of Texas,” head coach Scott Smith said. “We want to be a good one, but we want to use it to get better at what we do.”
Brian Dupree and Michael Ketchmark have been quarterbacking the summer team. Ketchmark is getting valuable experience after missing all of spring football while playing for the LH baseball team during its extended run through the playoffs. Trent Jones, another LH quarterback expected to get a shot at the starting job in August, is going through the summer conditioning program but has been held out of 7-on-7 while recovering from an injury.
Among the players catching Smith’s eye this summer is junior Randall Howard, who is projected to play defensive end and tight end in the fall. Yes, tight end – a new wrinkle to the spread offense this season.
Jacquille Myles has also looked good safety, while receivers such as Michael Wright and Devonte Sunwengham have also stood out. And it almost goes without saying that highly recruited running back/receiver Desmond Roland has had an outstanding 7-on-7 season.
There may be an additional night of 7-on-7 football because last week’s games were rained out, but Smith said nothing has been rescheduled so far.
The Wildcat football team will also be part of the annual Exchange Club Fourth of July Parade on Saturday.
