Katy won the Houston HS summer 7s this past weekend, defeating St. Thomas HS in the final.

Kingwood, Strake Jesuit, Lamar, and Bay Area also participated.

“The team played well,” said Katy Coach Ryan Marshall. “We still have a lot to work on in transitioning from 15s to 7s, but the team looked very strong for this season.” 

Halfback Lesedi Manthata was named tournament MVP, and he combined well with center/wing Alec Savoy, and center Jason Paul, Jr. Paul, who is reportedly headed to Davenport in the fall, scored the opening try in the final.

“We take 7s very seriously,” added Marshall. “Especially with the rising pursuit of 7s in the US, it's important to give ruggers their chance to shine at both 15s and 7s. We treat it the exact same as 15s in terms of competition within our organization.”

Marshall has been active in getting HS 7s going in South Texas. Four teams competed in 2014, and that number has doubled. Marshall hopes to keep seeing it grow and to rival the more established North Texas HS 7s efforts.

“I know they have a lot of interest in it,” Marshall said of the North Texas teams. “Katy went up to one tournament last year after winning the South and it was hands down the most competitive tournament we played in.”

Currently there’s no official state 7s championship, but that could change as the teams in the south continue to play.