By JOE DODD
The 6th annual Buckeyes’ Booster Club 7-on-7 Tournament will be held Saturday, May 19, at Buckeye Stadium and the adjoining practice fields northwest of the stadium. Eight schools are scheduled to participate at the varsity level including Gilmer, White Oak, Pine Tree, Pleasant Grove, Spring Hill, New Boston, Elysian Fields and Sulphur Springs. All varsity level games will take place on the Buckeye Stadium field with two games being played on each half of the field every hour starting at 9 a.m. The championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The same eight schools also plan on participating at the junior varsity level, with all games played on the main practice field.
Gilmer won both the varsity and junior varsity championships last year, but head football coach Jeff Traylor said winning isn’t the reason the Buckeyes play 7-on-7.
"We don’t get to have spring ball," stated Traylor. "So this is our turn to get a good look at some guys getting to try to make plays. Obviously there are no pads on, but at least we’re getting to evaluate them."
Although Traylor is more interested in evaluating his players, the Buckeyes still value success, as their 15-1 record in 7-on-7 play last summer indicated. But while many teams completely change their offensive and defensive schemes to compete at 7-on-7, Traylor’s Buckeyes do not. "We do the same thing we do in the season. We don’t change anything. What you see on 7-on-7 is the same plays that are run on Friday."
Traylor notes that fan attendance has increased every year of the tournament, mainly due to the interest in seeing which new players might contribute to the Buckeyes’ success in the fall. "Every year we have more, and more, and more. That’s why I like doing it at home. The fans can come and watch all the new kids play. We lost 26 seniors, so they can really watch a lot of different kids out there. I know everybody is interested in watching the quarterbacks, and the new inside receivers, and we have a whole new defense. Basically 7-on-7 will be all new."
The tournament is open to the public, and attendance is free. The home-side concession stand will be open to provide snacks and drinks to fans, with all profits going directly to the athletic program.
The 6th annual Buckeyes’ Booster Club 7-on-7 Tournament will be held Saturday, May 19, at Buckeye Stadium and the adjoining practice fields northwest of the stadium. Eight schools are scheduled to participate at the varsity level including Gilmer, White Oak, Pine Tree, Pleasant Grove, Spring Hill, New Boston, Elysian Fields and Sulphur Springs. All varsity level games will take place on the Buckeye Stadium field with two games being played on each half of the field every hour starting at 9 a.m. The championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The same eight schools also plan on participating at the junior varsity level, with all games played on the main practice field.
Gilmer won both the varsity and junior varsity championships last year, but head football coach Jeff Traylor said winning isn’t the reason the Buckeyes play 7-on-7.
"We don’t get to have spring ball," stated Traylor. "So this is our turn to get a good look at some guys getting to try to make plays. Obviously there are no pads on, but at least we’re getting to evaluate them."
Although Traylor is more interested in evaluating his players, the Buckeyes still value success, as their 15-1 record in 7-on-7 play last summer indicated. But while many teams completely change their offensive and defensive schemes to compete at 7-on-7, Traylor’s Buckeyes do not. "We do the same thing we do in the season. We don’t change anything. What you see on 7-on-7 is the same plays that are run on Friday."
Traylor notes that fan attendance has increased every year of the tournament, mainly due to the interest in seeing which new players might contribute to the Buckeyes’ success in the fall. "Every year we have more, and more, and more. That’s why I like doing it at home. The fans can come and watch all the new kids play. We lost 26 seniors, so they can really watch a lot of different kids out there. I know everybody is interested in watching the quarterbacks, and the new inside receivers, and we have a whole new defense. Basically 7-on-7 will be all new."
The tournament is open to the public, and attendance is free. The home-side concession stand will be open to provide snacks and drinks to fans, with all profits going directly to the athletic program.
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