John Tyler + Alto Try for State Berths at Friday’s Rowlett D-I 7-on-7 Football State Qualifier Tournament

John Tyler came close to qualifying for the Division I 7-on-7 football state tournament this past weekend, but didn't quite nab a state berth.

The Lions, who lost 26-13 to Longview in a Saturday semifinal at Lindsey Park in Tyler, will try to remedy that Friday in Rowlett in another D-I 7-on-7 state qualifier tournament.

John Tyler joins Alto, which lost 34-20 to White Oak in a Division II state qualifier tournament Saturday in Gilmer, as the only East Texas teams in the 16-team event. If Alto qualifies Friday, the Yellow Jackets will compete in the D-I state tournament July 12-13 in Leander despite being a a Class A school. The D-II state tournament is July 11-12 in Leander.

Each pool winner advances to the semifinals early Friday afternoon. The winner of each semifinal matchup qualifies for the D-I state tournament.