The Texas Panhandle once again showed it can compete with the state's elite as Palo Duro and Dumas each advanced to the championship brackets of the 7-on-7 State Football Tournament before seeing their impressive runs come to an end.
The two programs combined for five victories over three days at Veterans Park, battling some of Texas' top teams and giving fans an early glimpse of what could be in store this fall.
Palo Duro continued its rise as one of the Panhandle's premier programs by earning its second straight trip to the Division I state tournament. The Dons relied on a suffocating defense during Friday's pool play, posting back-to-back shutouts to secure a spot in Saturday's championship bracket.
The Dons opened with a dominant 34-0 victory over Tyler before blanking North Forney 25-0 in their second game. One of the biggest defensive plays of the weekend came when senior linebacker Keanan Posey intercepted a tipped pass and returned it for a touchdown, helping Palo Duro seize control against North Forney.
Palo Duro's only blemish in pool play came in a one-point thriller, falling 25-24 to College Park. The 2-1 finish, however, was enough to move the Dons into the Division I championship bracket.
Awaiting Palo Duro was perennial powerhouse Allen. The Dons battled throughout but were unable to overcome the eventual Division I runner-up, falling 28-19 to conclude another successful appearance on the state's biggest offseason stage.
Dumas once again demonstrated why it has become one of the most consistent 7-on-7 programs in the region.
Making a Texas Panhandle-best seventh consecutive state tournament appearance, the Demons rolled through Division II pool play behind the steady leadership of quarterback Colton Mills.
Dumas opened with a 26-12 win over Van Alstyne before grinding out a defensive 13-6 victory against Bay City. The Demons completed an undefeated day by defeating Chapel Hill 21-14, finishing 3-0 to win their pool and advance to the championship bracket.
The Demons' tournament ended in dramatic fashion Friday morning, as Somerset escaped with a narrow 21-20 victory in the opening round of bracket play.
While neither Panhandle squad advanced beyond the championship bracket, both programs left College Station with momentum heading toward the 2026 high school football season. Palo Duro showcased an opportunistic defense capable of slowing some of the state's top offenses, while Dumas continued its tradition of postseason success with another deep run against elite competition.
