Kenneth Guiton hasn't spent much time despairing over Eisenhower's 1-3 record at the Nike 7ON National Tournament last weekend.

Not only does the Eagles quarterback not have time — "I'm not taking it easy this summer," he said — but the trip wasn't all about winning anyway.

"Before we left (head) coach (Ray) Evans said he wanted two things out of this trip," Guiton said. "First, be a class act and let everyone know Texas is a great state for football and young men. Second, come together and be together when we come back."

Playing as "Team Strike Force" in Beaverton, Ore., the Eagles started with a shutout victory but lost their next three games. They lost 30-29 to Team Super Speed from Tampa, Fla., 42-30 to Team Vapor Jets and 26-0 to Team Field Generals of Santa Ana, Calif.

"These were eight of the best teams in the country," Guiton said. "It was a blessing to get to go."

Regular standouts got their time in the spotlight — Guiton threw for more than 1,200 yards and stud receivers Greg Timmons and Jazz Reynolds caught their share of touchdowns — but Guiton was more encouraged by the lesser-known players who shined.

 Washington Allen caught three touchdown passes in two games and Norman Darden added a 60-yard scoring catch and a conversion in the loss to Team Super Speed.

Craig Loston, the Eagles' defensive back and sometime receiver and quarterback who verbally committed to Clemson in April, stayed in Houston for schoolwork-related purposes.

"When you get Norman in the open field he can embarrass you. He's that fast," Guiton said. "Washington was on varsity his sophomore year and he did well. Not too many people know about him. Of course, then you have Greg Timmons and Jazz Reynolds and everyone knows what they can do."

Timmons, who was named to the event's all-tournament team, caught a 7-yard touchdown in Eisenhower's win and another against Team Vapor Jets.

Guiton's best statistical outing was against Team Super Speed, when Eisenhower trailed 26-8 at halftime but rallied to within a point behind Guiton's 14-of-21, 310-yard, three-touchdown second-half performance.

Darden caught his touchdown late in the game and added the conversion but the Eagles got no closer.

Guiton finished 21-of-32 for 466 yards and four scores in the game.

Another receiver, Curtis McGregor, spent the lion's share of last weekend at cornerback and led the defensive effort next to strong safety Terrence Fletcher.

With fall practices beginning in two weeks ahead of the regular-season opener Aug. 29 at Fort Bend Hightower, Guiton said he is forsaking a vacation in favor of weightlifting and plenty of work on his timing.

"I've been in the weight room and (been) trying to get stronger and faster," he said. "I did 7-on-7 and I've been working on getting the snap from center and on timing with my receivers.

"I want to go far this season. I'll do whatever it takes to get far at state."

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