The Abilene Cooper Cougars lead a group of eight Big Country high school football teams gearing up for the 2026 Texas State 7-on-7 Tournament. This marks the Cougars' return to the state tournament for the first time since 2024 and their second appearance since 2018. They earned this opportunity by performing well in State Qualifying Tournaments (SQTs), alongside other qualifiers including Stephenville, Sweetwater, Albany, De Leon, Goldthwaite, Hawley, and Hico. The tournament takes place from June 25 to June 27 in College Station and features teams divided into three divisions based on student enrollment. Abilene Cooper stands out as the sole Division I representative from the Big Country, having topped Pool A in the recent Abilene SQT.

By the Numbers
  • Abilene Cooper's 17th all-time appearance at the State 7-on-7 Tournament.
  • Stephenville, fresh off its seventh UIL football state title, will make its eighth appearance.
State of Play
  • The State 7-on-7 Tournament will include 32 teams competing across three divisions.
  • As the lone Division I team from the Big Country, Abilene Cooper is among several strong regional competitors.
What's Next

The upcoming tournament will see Abilene Cooper and seven other teams participate, each looking to secure a title in their respective divisions. Given their past successes, Cooper's experience could prove advantageous as they face off against fierce competition. The tournament format offers multiple paths for teams to showcase their skills and potentially elevate to higher-tier rankings within Texas high school football.

Bottom Line

The diversity of competition and the return of established teams signal an exciting State 7-on-7 Tournament ahead. Abilene Cooper's experience and the enthusiasm of newcomers like Sweetwater suggest potential for unexpected outcomes, making this year's tournament one to watch.