Hill Country Elite returns for more reps, wins
CAPTION: Hill Country Elite defensive back Clayton Thompson, a Marble Falls resident, is the Central Texas Holiday Bowl’s Most Valuable Player. Courtesy photo
The Hill Country Elite youth football team is back to the gridiron after playing in one event before enjoying the Christmas holiday.
The Elite participated in the Central Texas Holiday Bowl Dec. 14-15 where it won all three of its games: Fort Hood Cadets 28-0, Central Texas Falcons 30-0, and the Belton Storm 30-0. Marble Falls resident Clayton Thompson was named the event’s Most Valuable Player because of his four interceptions, two pass breakups and nine tackles.
“We mercy-ruled every single team we played,” head coach Ray Gurley said, adding his squad played in the 14-and-under division. “We don’t know those teams. We weren’t going to do the event. We were asked to play in that event. But they had shorter games, and we didn’t play too many snaps.”
Contests had 10-minute quarters with a running clock and no special teams.
The Elite consists of players who have aged out of youth football and still want to play the sport during the winter. Athletes live in Burnet, Lampasas, Llano and Gillespie counties.
“They know some of the players on the team,” Gurley said. “They all have different goals.”
Some are playing because they want to vie for a roster spot on their varsity teams. Others are playing because they want to improve their skills and believe getting another football season is beneficial.
Gurley said he has had conversations with coaches in San Antonio and Belton, who all decided to have a four-team league that meets the goals of giving athletes plays and reps while enhancing safety.
They decided each game would not have kickoff and punt returns, opting for fair catches instead. In addition, practices have less contact.
“We’ll play one game a weekend and rotate who hosts,” Gurley said. “Everyone gets to host one weekend. It’s travel ball, and we’re playing at home. It’s whomever wants to come and watch. We’re helping their athletes get more development.”
The Elite will compete in the Battle on the Prairies in Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, Canada Jan. 11-14. It’s a four-day tournament featuring teams representing Canada and the United States.
CAPTION: Hill Country Elite defensive back Clayton Thompson, a Marble Falls resident, is the Central Texas Holiday Bowl’s Most Valuable Player. Courtesy photo
