Bucks are still alive in 7-on 7

mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com

After losing close decisions in the first two games at the El Paso 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament Saturday, the Alpine Bucks won four straight games to advance to the consolation championship game.

The Bucks were scheduled to play Mercedes - a 5A team - in the final but weather forced officials to cancel the game. Tournament officials tossed a coin and declared Mercedes the winner.

However, Alpine Avalanche officials tossed a coin at noon in the newspaper office and declared the Alpine Bucks the winner. Questioned about the validity of the unofficial coin toss, an Avalanche official said, "So sue us."

Saturday, June 16, at Texas State University, the Bucks have one more chance to qualify for the State 7-on-7 Tournament. The Texas State University tournament - in San Marcos - is billed as 2A/3A qualifier.

Felipe Fierro, the Alpine coach, says Alpine is the only school from this area expected to participate in San Marcos. He said they received word Monday that they had been invited to the invitation-only tournament. The top four teams at San Marcos will qualify for state, which will be held at College Station,

Last Saturday in El Paso, Alpine was the only Class 2A team participating. Two Class 3A schools were in the 16-team tournament; the rest were Class 4A and 5A teams.

In the first Saturday morning game, the Bucks lost a 30-25 heartbreaker to Anthony.

Later in the morning, the Bucks dropped another close game to Class 5A El Paso Hanks, 40-33. Hanks got off to a 16-0 lead early but was dominated by Alpine the rest of the way.

A few minutes later, the Bucks squared off against Socorro, winning easily, 41-6.

Alpine played four games in the afternoon, winning all four. The first afternoon game was the only laugher, a 41-6 mashing of Socorro. In the other three games, the Bucks defeated Pecos, 25-21; Mountain View, 13-6; and Weslaco, 27-22.

"We were very competitive," Fierro said. "In fact, we got a lot of compliments. Several refs went out of their way to the team that they showed a lot of discipline and character."

Fierro praised quarterback Moises Estrada and receivers Marcos Ramos, Andrew Barragon and Sklar Green.

He said three freshmen, who had been playing on the JV, stepped up with significant contributions: Sawyer Saenz, Anthony Olivas and Taylor Moore. Saenz and Olivas both scored. In fact, Olivas intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against Mountain View.

"The guys were gassed at the end of the day," Fierro said, "But they performed well."

A couple of days before the El Paso tournament, Alpine went to Pecos for a small tournament. The Bucks tied Fort Stockton, 48-48; defeated Pecos, 21-20; and defeated the Fort Stockton JV, 42-7.

Alpine hosts its own tournament on June 21, starting at 6 p.m. at Buck Stadium. Competing will be Alpine, Pecos, Fort Stockton and Sierra Blanca.

Bucks are still alive in 7-on 7

mikeperry@alpineavalanche.com

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