‘Offensive-minded’ 7-on-7 football tourney a first-time hit on Bainbridge Island

Not all football games are played in stadiums, feature pads or helmets, or even require teams to compete 11-on-11.

“I have like six friends in my neighborhood,” South Kitsap junior quarterback Franklin Fox said, “and we used to play on my grandmother’s cul-de-sac. People would get messed up.”

Street football, backyard football, pickup football, whatever you want to call it — some elements of those informal gatherings that pigskin enthusiasts often play growing up were present Saturday as Bainbridge High School hosted the inaugural Battle of the Bay 7-on-7 football tournament. The event featured eight 40-yard fields spread all around campus: two on the main stadium field, two on the baseball field, and four on the grass area located behind the baseball and softball fields.

“It’s fun, isn’t it?” said Bainbridge head football coach and tournament organizer Dan Schoonmaker as he made his way between contests, making sure the event ran as smoothly as possible. The Spartans, who had a varsity and JV team competing, were joined by Central Kitsap, South Kitsap, Kingston, Decatur, East Jefferson, Meridian, Mount Rainier, Nathan Hale, Roosevelt (varsity and JV), Stadium, Sumner (varsity and JV), Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer.

Much like girls flag football, which had a popular high school debut at South Kitsap and North Kitsap andover the winter, Saturday’s tournament represented an energetic summer alternative to classic organized football, which is played in the fall.

Offenses featured a quarterback, a snapper, four receivers and a running back, while defenses consisted of linebackers and defensive backs. There was no running plays, just all passing (quarterbacks had four seconds to throw the ball and there was no pass rushing on defense). Tackling involved touching anywhere between a receiver’s neck and ankle. Most players…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/offensive-minded-7-7-football-134355898.html

Author : Kitsap Sun

Publish date : 2024-06-23 13:43:55

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