It’s a hot spring day, and players are anticipating the game’s kickoff, hoping to get noticed by recruiters or college coaches. Fans are excited for the players, and coaches are giving key advice. All the players can hear is the sound of the fans and coaches. Fans will lose their voices because of how loud they are screaming and the smell of grass. While the fans scream they will also be eating hotdogs and other things.
This is 7on7.
7-on-7 is similar to touch football. In touch football, the ball carrier can only be stopped by touching them, while in 7-on-7, the ball carrier is often stopped by pulling their flag. Sometimes, in these games, players will get into really bad arguments. This is bad for the players because they can get kicked out of the game.
There is a 7-7 team in the Cincinnati area called Charles Johnson Elite. Charles Johnson is an ex-NFL (National Football League) player for the Minnesota Vikings and he has picked people around the area to be on his team like a student here at Highlands High School Kevin Reynolds.
In 7-on-7, some teams want to participate in a big tournament, called OT7(Overtime 7on7 Football League). This tournament consists of teams around the United States to compete with the teams and see who will win the tournament. It has been gaining more popularity around Fort Thomas because Highlands High School students have been playing on a team to work on their skills and improve once it comes to football season.
“It gets me ready for the season because there are better people and it will help me get better,” Charles Johnson Elite player Reynolds (9) said.
Another reason it has had so much momentum is that the football season is over and athletes need more time on the field and have better competition. Some of the players that they will be facing have college offers from a lot of good schools.
“I have more competition and seeing other players around the country and facing people that have offers,” Reynolds (9) said.
7 on 7 is an opportunity to travel and show their skills as a player around the United States. But making a 7-on-7 team can be difficult due to all the athletes trying to get onto the same 7-7 team.
“The tryout was a three-day process, and you showed up and just did what you can do best, and if you are not good enough, then you don’t make the team,” Charles Johnson Elite player,also Highlands High School Quarterback Rio Litmer (11) said
With football being a team sport, team chemistry can have a big impact on the roster. In this 7-on-7 team, players get custom gear like a jersey, a soft shell helmet, and other things that represent the team.
“The people on the team also got cool gear like some shirts,” Reynolds (9) said.
There are also ways athletes prepare before each tournament. Athletes can take care of their bodies by eating nutritious foods and staying loose. Being prepared and taking care of their body is a huge part of it and it takes time to do the things they need to do. When players take care of their body they can also be stronger in the weight room and that also plays a big role as well.
“We Stretch 30 minutes before I play and I prepare mentally by listening to music.” Charles Johnson Elite player,also Highlands High School Running Back Gabe Williams (10) said.
If a player is on the team they can possibly get their name out to colleges and if a player is really good they might have a good chance of going to college and playing football for their team.
“The best tournament I have traveled to is Ole Miss because it was supposed to be a college visit but there was track stuff going on but it was still an amazing experience to go there.” Charles Johnson Elite player,also Highlands High School Running Back Williams (10) said.
At the end of the day, 7-on-7 is about a lot more than just wins and losses. It’s about teammates pushing each other, players finding their confidence, and the love of the game growing with every rep. As long as players are willing to show up and put in the work, 7-on-7 will always have a place in the heart of football.
