Gold Win 7 on 7 Tourney over Marion, 37-33
The Canyon Lake Gold squad advanced through the winners bracket and beat the Marion Bulldogs on a last minute score. Playing at the Canyon Lake field on Tuesday June 28th.
Marion scored first on just three plays. Canyon Lake knew the Dogs were not going to be a cake walk.
The 7 on 7 tournament started with eight teams and the losing clubs in the first round went to the Consolation bracket and the winners played until their was only one team standing.
Both Marion and CL Gold teams were not challenged until they played in the Championship game.
CL Gold team answered the first Marion score going the distance taking four plays. Gold took a brief lead when they were good on the extra point.
The games have two 20 minute halves with a running clock. So, with this being the third game, both teams were running on fumes in the end.
“Towards the end we just needed to get down and score,” Quarterback Branson Belcher said.
The see/saw game had Matt Magness go down with cramps after scoring the go ahead score with about five minutes left in the game. That is where he watched the rest of the game.
“I feel relaxed,” Senior Magness said. “Experience wise we have a big drop off, but with this game and a lot of practice, practice, and practice we (receivers) will be ready when the season starts.”
The ReSporter had to check Magness for glue on his hands since there were not many passes that were dropped when thrown to him.
Belcher did not feel pressure when Magness wasn’t on the last winning drive with less than two minutes on the clock.
“We still had a lot of receivers, so losing one doesn’t effect us,” Belcher said with confidence.
The Hawks have a little over four weeks before tackle football starts. If there is one thing learned by the State qualifying team last year, winning 7 on 7 does not guarantee wins when the game becomes tackle.
The Gold team had contributions from the whole team.
Tyler Potts stopped an extra point with an interception and had another pick that would of given the Gold team a lot of momentum early. The play was called dead however when the Marion QB took too much time for the pass.
Daniel Camarillo had several great receptions playing opposite of Magness.
Isaac Pruna clogged up the middle using his height and lateral speed to shut down several Bulldog plays.
Doug Hubnik had many a play thrown in his direction in which he won more than he lost.
You get the idea, the Hawks Gold team played good enough to be called Champion for the event.
Something that will go unnoticed by many people in attendance.
While the games were going on most of the offensive and defensive lineman were going through there daily workouts and watching the quickness and size combined with their enthusiasm, will help the Hawks become good at passing and running.
Keep reading for more coverage as we introduce you to as many players as possible.