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When you read about 7-on-7, some of you—not all, of course—may be asking, “Why are tough high school players taking part in such a timid game as touch football?” Lineman and linebacker Kayden Gass and quarterback Connor Chauncy are not asking that question, but they’d love to give you some details in their answer.

On June 23, in Marble Falls, against Westlake, the two Llano boys collided with each other while on defense in the end zone. They probably felt the game should be known as 7-on-1. The sound from the spill—even on grass—matched that of a boxer hitting the canvas in one of those movies when the audio man increases the level enough so that you almost lose a portion of your five dollar box of popcorn.

We continue with the analogy, because the right side of Chauncy’s right eye took on a stream of Technicolor, as if he’d been nailed by a promising welterweight. Gass had a gash on his head. Neither youngster seemed seriously hurt, but athletic director David Yeager decided they’d experienced their final touches of the evening.

On the field, Preston Rabb was the quarterback for most of three games, and his first goal was to cut into a 20-0 Chaparrals’ lead.

He went to Clayton Maples for 42 yards of the 45-yard field and then to Raven Herron for the touchdown. The extra point was a superb connection with Estevan Aviles, who made the grab nine yards deep in the end zone.

“I certainly didn’t like seeing Connor get hurt and leave,” Rabb said. Those two are the main contenders now for the starting job in late August. He added: “I am feeling more comfortable out there,” and it would show.

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Westlake won, 28-8, and Marble Falls’ Zed Woerner threw two TD passes for a 14-0 advantage in game two. Zed is the son of head coach Cord Woerner, and while the Mustangs have had plenty of trouble winning the last 10 seasons, they’re on a roll of sevens this summer.

Rabb got cranking with completions to Russell Weihs, Aviles, Maples twice, Jordan Cavness and Maples for the six. Este collected the conversion again.

“We’re playing good ball,” insisted summer-league coach, Trey Brooks. “We’re hanging in there against these spread teams.” Brooks hung in there to lead the Jackets to 17 wins at quarterback in 2007-2008, and his enthusiasm remains on the gridiron, as he paces the sideline and yells instruction and encourage-