BELTON — Playing without their star quarterback Josiah Monroe, who was taking the ACT college entrance exam, the Bastrop Bears failed to qualify for the state 7-on-7 Tournament Saturday.
Going with backup Dillon Becker, Bastrop went 1-2 in pool play at the Belton State Qualifier, losing to Abilene Copper and Waco Midway.
In their first game, the Bears struggled with one of the Texas’ most storied high school programs.
Cooper led 21-0 at halftime and went on to take the 35-7 victory.
Bastrop rebounded in their second game, but had to come from behind to defeat Temple 18-13. Temple led 7-6 at halftime.
In their final game of the day, Bastrop lost to Waco Midway 28-18 and trailed 21-12 at halftime.
Bastrop’s only hope of returning to the state 7-on-7 tournament weighs on if the Bears can get into the Hays state qualifying tournament on June 26.
Bastrop will continue with its own 7-on-7 league, which plays on Monday nights and includes Bastrop, Elgin, Del Valle and Akins.