The Industrial Cobras traveled to the Tidehaven State Qualifying Tournament on Friday, June 12, looking for redemption and a punched ticket to State.
Unfortunately for the Cobras, their path to the 7-on-7 state tournament came to an end after a hard-fought 27-20 loss to Agua Dulce in the semi-final State Qualifying Round.
Industrial entered the Tidehaven after a frustrating result at the Rice Consolidated tournament, where a misinterpretation of the official three-way tie-breaker rules cost them a spot. Friday’s pool play in Tidehaven proved to be a gauntlet.
Drawn into Pool B, the Cobras faced off against their cross-county rivals, the Ganado Indians, who had already locked up a state berth at their own tournament a week prior. In a tight, back-and-forth matchup, Ganado edged out Industrial 19-12. The Cobras then stumbled against a tough East Bernard squad, dropping their second game 26-9. However, the team bounced back in their final pool play game, routing Wallis Brazos 27-6.
Despite a 1-2 record in pool play, the bracket dynamics and Ganado’s previously secured qualification opened the door for Industrial to advance to the crossover State Qualifying Round. There, they squared off against Pool A’s Agua Dulce with a state tournament berth on the line.
The Cobras and the Longhorns traded blows in a competitive game, but Agua Dulce ultimately managed a late defensive stop to secure a 27-20 victory, punching their own ticket to State and bringing Industrial’s summer 7-on-7 run to a close.
The Texas State 7-on-7 Tournament is on June 25-26.
