Wednesday, June 16, 2010

2010 Shootout of the South Preview

One of the Natural State’s biggest 7-on-7 tournaments begins Friday, June 18 with some of the best teams and most talented skill players from across the state.  The tournament will also feature teams and players from other states with none carrying a bigger name than Heritage Hall’s Barry Sanders, Jr.  Sanders is the son of the former Oklahoma State and Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, considered by many as the greatest NFL running back of all time.

The sixth annual Shootout of the South presented by Baptist Health will begin Friday at 11 am at the Mighty Bluebird Complex in Little Rock.  Twenty-four teams will compete in the tournament with 19 from Arkansas, three from Oklahoma, and one each from Texas and Louisiana.  Each team will play five pool play games on Friday with the guaranteed-two game format tournament beginning Saturday at 10 am.  The finals will begin at 4 pm on Saturday.  The tournament champion will qualify for the 7-on-7 National Championship in Hoover, Alabama in late July.

Making the trip across the state lines will be Afton, Stigler, and Heritage Hall from Oklahoma, Allen from Texas, and Cenla Christian Academy out of Pineville, Louisiana.  Allen won the tournament in 2006 and Heritage Hall defeated Allen for the 2007 Shootout Championship.

The in-state teams are Central Arkansas Christian, Conway, Dumas, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fountain Lake, Greenbrier, Lake Hamilton, Lakeside (Hot Springs), Magnolia, Nashville, Parkview, Pulaski Academy, Rogers Heritage, Russellville, Shiloh Christian, Warren, and Watson Chapel.  Fayetteville is the defending champion and Lake Hamilton won the 2008 title.

Four of the state’s top quarterbacks will be on display.  Shiloh Christian star and Auburn commit Kiehl Frazier and Fayetteville’s signal caller and Arkansas commit Brandon Allen are the two most highly regarded. Allen won the Top Gun Award at last year’s shootout, given to the tournament’s top quarterback.  Taylor Reed of El Dorado is a talented lefty who holds an offer from Arkansas State, and Darion Griswold from Dumas is a 6’5” 240 pound signal caller who also stars in basketball.

The receiving group will be highlighted by Fayetteville’s Demetrius Dean and Allen’s Jonathan Lee.  Dean has committed to Arkansas, and Lee committed to Baylor while turning down offers from Arkansas, Nebraska, and several others.  Sterling Shepard, son of former Oklahoma Sooner and Dallas Cowboy receiver Derrick Shepard, will play receiver and free safety for Heritage Hall.  Watson Chapel will feature a pair of 6’2” receivers in Mitch Lane and Kyle Coleman.  Warren, who is known for producing great receivers, will display Allen Tatum who has an offer from Louisiana-Monroe and junior Jalen Cobb, who has an offer from Arkansas and Arkansas State.  Two of the state’s leaders in receptions from a year ago, Garrett Lamb and Zac Reyna, will be playing for Pulaski Academy.  Barry Sanders, Jr. from Heritage Hall and Dylan Hale from Fayetteville are two division one caliber running backs who will be splitting out and catching balls out of the backfield.  Sanders will also play cornerback.

Defensive backs usually carry all the hype in 7-on-7 defense, but linebackers may be stealing the show this year.   Michael Johnson of Little Rock Parkview, Marc Robinson of Heritage Hall, and Melvin Spears of Allen are all top prospects at linebacker.  At defensive back, two juniors may be the best in the state at their position in cornerback Ajalen Holley from Lakeside and free safety Aum’Arie Wallace of Pulaski Academy.

Mighty Bluebird Complex is off Highway 10 West on Pinnacle Valley Road.  Admission to the tournament is $5 per car each day.  Concessions will be available.

List of all 24 teams:
  • Afton HS (OK)
  • Allen HS (TX)
  • Cenla Christian Academy (Pineville, LA)
  • Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock)
  • Conway HS
  • Dumas HS
  • El Dorado HS
  • Fayetteville HS
  • Fountain Lake HS
  • Greenbrier HS
  • Hall HS (Little Rock)
  • Heritage Hall (Oklahoma City)
  • Heritage HS (Rogers)
  • Lake Hamilton HS (Pearcy)
  • Lakeside HS (Hot Springs)
  • Magnolia HS
  • Nashville HS
  • Parkview HS (Little Rock)
  • Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
  • Russellville HS
  • Shiloh Christian (Springdale)
  • Stigler (OK)
  • Warren HS
  • Watson Chapel HS
The tournament is sponsored by Baptist Health Orthopedic Center, Chenal Heights Nursing and Rehab, Windstream Communications, SportStop, 2B Partners, LLC., Hatcher Insurance Agency, Nike, Gatorade, OneBanc,  and Roller Chenal Funeral Home.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

2010 ASPC Summer Showdown

The 2010 Arkansas Sports Performance Center 7-on-7 Summer Showdown will be Thursday at Robinson High School in Little Rock.  Headlining this year's event will be the 2009 Showdown Champion, Bryant Hornets, and last weekend's Sonic Air Raid Champion, Pulaski Academy Bruins.  Making what we believe to be their first 7-on-7 tournament appearance ever are the Hope Bobcats and Mena Bearcats. 

Pool play will begin at 1:30 with each team playing four games in a single round-robin format against the teams in their pool.  The pool play results will seed the tournament which is a single-elimination format that will begin at 5:15.  The tournament finals will be at 7:30.


POOL APOOL B
MenaLakeside
CentralEngland
JacksonvilleBryant
Puaski AcademyRobinson
JA FairHope


Time
Teams
Field
1:30Menavs.CentralWest
Lakesidevs.HopeEast
2:00Lakesidevs.EnglandWest
Robinsonvs.BryantEast
Jacksonvillevs.Pulaski AcademyPractice
2:30Robinsonvs.HopeWest
Menavs.Pulaski AcademyEast
Jacksonvillevs.JA FairPractice
3:00Lakesidevs.BryantWest
Jacksonvillevs.CentralEast
Hopevs.EnglandPractice
3:30Pulaski Academyvs.JA FairWest
Jacksonvillevs.MenaEast
Bryantvs.EnglandPractice
4:00Robinsonvs.LakesideWest
Centralvs.JA FairEast
Bryantvs.HopePractice
4:30Robinsonvs.EnglandWest
Centralvs.Pulaski AcademyEast
Menavs.JA FairPractice

B1_______
A4________________
5:45 West
5:15 West_________
B5_______
6:50 West_________
A2_______
6:15 West_________
B3_______
7:30 West_________
A1_______
B4________________
5:45 East
5:15 East_________
A5_______
6:50 East_________
A2_______
6:15 East_________
B3_______

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Sonic Air Raid Results

Pulaski Academy won its second consecutive Air Raid championship on Saturday and third title in four years by finishing 7-0 and defeating Conway, 35-33 in the finals.  The Bruins held on in some very tight pool play games to earn the top seed from their pool that consisted of Lake Hamilton, Watson Chapel, and Greenbrier.  Lake Hamilton would advance to the finals of the winner's bracket before being downed by Pulaski Academy, then by Conway in the loser's bracket finals. 

Greenbrier defeated Watson Chapel for the consolation championship.  Those two teams hooked up four times on the day with Watson Chapel winning the first two, first in pool play, then in the finals of the winner's bracket.  Greenbrier then came out of the loser's bracket and defeated Watson Chapel twice for the consolation championship. 

Results and Standings
Pool A
Searcy 26, Conway 21
Harding Academy 17, Pine Bluff 12
Harding Academy 13, Searcy 8
Conway 36, Pine Bluff 9
Conway 23, Harding Academy 14
Searcy 14, Pine Bluff 2

Searcy (2-1), Conway (2-1), Harding Academy (2-1), Pine Bluff (0-3)

Pool B
Watson Chapel 28, Greenbrier 18
Pulaski Academy 21, Lake Hamilton 20
Lake Hamilton 14, Watson Chapel 10
Pulaski Academy 30, Greenbrier 20
Pulaski Academy 28, Watson Chapel 20
Lake Hamilton 36, Greenbrier 19

Pulaski Academy (3-0), Lake Hamilton (2-1), Watson Chapel (1-2), Greenbrier (0-3)

Pool C
Lonoke 12, Bald Knob 2
Pulaski Academy JV 15, Greene County Tech 12
Pulaski Academy JV 22, Bald Knob 14
Greene County Tech 27, Lonoke 12
Lonoke 28, Pulaski Academy JV 14
Greene County Tech 19, Bald Knob 12

Greene County Tech (2-1), Lonoke (2-1), Pulaski Academy JV (2-1), Bald Knob (0-3)

Pool D
Conway Christian 17, Rose Bud 8
DeWitt 22, Des Arc 14
Des Arc 25, Rose Bud 0
DeWitt 22, Conway Christian 8
DeWitt 23, Rose Bud 12
Des Arc 15, Conway Christian 14

DeWitt (3-0), Des Arc (2-1), Conway Christian (1-2), Rose Bud (0-3)

Consolation Bracket
1st Round
Greenbrier 21, Harding Academy 0
Rose Bud 24, Pulaski Academy JV 16
Watson Chapel 26, Pine Bluff 2
Bald Knob 35, Conway Christian 20

2nd Round (Winner's Bracket)
Greenbrier 37, Rose Bud 0
Watson Chapel 20, Bald Knob 14

Winner's Bracket Final
Watson Chapel 21, Greenbrier 16

1st Round (Loser's Bracket)
Harding Academy 24, Pulaski Academy JV 8
Conway Christian 6, Pine Bluff 2

2nd Round (Loser's Bracket)
Harding Academy 34, Bald Knob 24
Conway Christian 35, Rose Bud 14

3rd Round (Loser's Bracket)
Harding Academy 24, Conway Christian 14

Loser's Bracket Final
Greenbrier 21, Harding Academy 0

Tournament Finals
Greenbrier 18, Watson Chapel 13
(if necessary) Greenbrier 19, Watson Chapel 0

Championship Bracket
1st Round
Pulaski Academy 28, Searcy 8
Lonoke 28, DeWitt 20
Greene County Tech 19, Des Arc 6
Lake Hamilton 33, Conway 0

2nd Round (Winner's Bracket)
Pulaski Academy 34, Lonoke 20
Lake Hamilton 32, Greene County Tech 12

Winner's Bracket Final
Pulaski Academy 34, Lake Hamilton 14

1st Round (Loser's Bracket)
DeWitt defeated Searcy
Conway defeated Des Arc

2nd Round (Loser's Bracket)
Greene County Tech 27, DeWitt 22
Conway 16, Lonoke 8

3rd Round (Loser's Bracket)
Conway 20, Greene County Tech 8

Loser's Bracket Final
Conway 25, Lake Hamilton 14

Championship
Pulaski Academy 35, Conway 33

Fenter Physical Therapy Air Devil 7-on-7 Results

McGehee won the 4th Annual Fenter Physical Therapy Air Devil 7 on 7 by defeating host West Memphis, 20-12 in the finals.  Both McGehee and West Memphis were undefeated in their respective pools, earning them each a top seed on their side of the bracket.  McGehee used a strong defense all day to carry them to the finals as they relinquished an average of just one-and-a-half touchdowns per contest, and never allowed more than two in a game.  Below are the results.

Pool A Results and Standings
West Memphis 13, Forrest City 6,
Valley View 16, Nettleton 6
Nettleton 8, Forrest City 2
West Memphis 7, Valley View 4
Valley View 10, Forrest City 2
West Memphis 20, Nettleton 0

West Memphis (3-0), Valley View (2-1), Nettleton (1-2), Forrest City (0-3)
Pool B Results and Standings
Osceola 22, Clarendon 10
McGehee 17, Gosnell 14
Gosnell 10, Osceola 6
McGehee 16, Clarendon 2
McGehee 15, Osceola 12
Gosnell 17, Clarendon 0

McGehee (3-0), Gosnell (2-1), Osceola (1-2), Clarendon (0-3)
Tournament Results
First Round
(B1) McGehee 16, (A4) Forrest City 14
(A2) Valley View 16, (B3) Osceola 0
(A1) West Memphis 19, (B4) Clarendon 4
(A3) Nettleton 14, (B2) Gosnell 12

Second Round
(A1) West Memphis 27, (A3) Nettleton 0
(B1) McGehee 22, (A2) Valley View 6

Finals
(B1) McGehee 20, (A1) West Memphis 12

Friday, June 4, 2010

2010 7-on-7 Arkansas Schedule (Updated June 4)

We have been looking high and low for 7-on-7 events scheduled for this summer.  Here is our best guess at the schedule for Arkansas 7-on-7 in 2010.  We are pretty sure that we have missed a couple of events. So, if you know of one that is left out, please let us know.

-----

June 2010
  • June 5: Sonic Air Raid 
    • Harding Academy in Searcy
  • June 5:  Air Devil 7-on-7 Tournament
    • West Memphis High School
  • June 9-11:  Steve Roberts Individual and Team Camps
    • Arkansas State University in Jonesboro 
  • June 10:  Arkansas Sports Performance Center Summer Showdown 
    • Pulaski Robinson
  • June 11-12:  Harding University 7 on 7 Team Camp
    • Harding University in Searcy
  • June 13:  Steve Roberts Junior/Senior Elite Camp
    •  Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
  • June 14-16:  Steve Roberts Youth Camp
    • Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
  • June 17:  Hoxie 7-on-7 Tournament
    • Hoxie High School
  • June 18-19:  Shootout of the South Presented by Baptist Health 
    • Mighty Bluebird Complex in Little Rock
Arkansas Activities Association Dead Period for 2010
  • June 20-July 3
July 2010
  • July 9-10:  Southwest Elite 7 on 7 Showcase Presented by Right Guard
    • Shiloh Christian School in Springdale
  • July 10:  Fountain Lake 7 on 7 Tournament
    • Fountain Lake High School 
      • This is the oldest tournament in the state.
  • July 13:  Hustlin' Hermit Shootout
    • Hermitage High School
  • July 15-16: Vype 7 on 7 Tournament
    • Held on the campus of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville
  • July 17: Perryville 7 on 7 Tournament
    • Perryville High School
  • July 17: Arkansas - Missouri Border Battle 7 on 7 Camp
    • Harrison High School
  • July 17: DeWitt 7 on 7 Tournament
    • DeWitt High School
  • July 24:  Steve Roberts Junior/Senior Elite Camp
    •  Arkansas State University in Jonesboro
 -----

That's what we have for now.  We will try to get you participants and results of these events as soon as they are available.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

2010 Air Devil Preview

The 4th Annual Air Devil 7-on-7 tournament will be held this Saturday at West Memphis beginning at 9 a.m.  There will be a large school and small school division.

Large School Division:
  • Forrest City
  • Nettleton
  • Valley View
  • West Memphis
Small School Division
  • Gosnell
  • Rivercrest
  • Osceola
  • McGehee
  • Clarendon (if they have the numbers)
Each division will play a single round robin to seed the tournament.  They will then break for a one hour lunch and come back for the single elimination tournaments.

Previous tournament winners
  • 2007 White Station High School, Memphis, TN
  • 2008 Horn Lake High School, Horn Lake, MS
  • 2009 Desoto Central High School, Olive Branch, MS.
NOTE:  Tennessee schools are no longer allowed to participate in June 7 on 7 events.  They have a two-week dead period, and are not allowed to play 7 on 7 the other two weeks.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

2010 Sonic Air Raid Preview

Over the last few years, the Sonic Air Raid in Searcy (hosted at Harding Academy) as been the unofficial kick-off to the 7-on-7 season.  In fact, last year we named this tournament (the state's 3rd largest) the first leg of the Arkansas 7-on-7 Triple Crown. The Shootout of the South and Vype Select tournaments complete the state's triple crown competition.

Once again, this one day tournament on June 5 boasts a very impressive field.  The field is divided into 4 sections for Division or Pool Play.  The top 2 teams from each pool advance to the Land O' Frost Championship double elimination bracket.  The lower 2 teams from each division will participate in the Sonic Consolation double elimination bracket.

Here are the divisions for this Saturday:
  • Division A
    • Conway
    • Pulaski Academy Blue
    • Pine Bluff
    • Searcy
  • Division B
    • Greenbriar
    • Lake Hamilton
    • Pulaski Academy Gold
    • Watson Chapel
  • Division C
    • Bald Knob
    • Greene County Tech
    • Harding Academy
    • Lonoke
  • Division D
    • Conway Christian
    • Des Arc
    • Dewitt
    • Rose Bud
We look for a very competitive day of 7-on-7 football in Searcy with division games starting  at 10 am.  The double elimination bracket play will begin at 1:30 pm.  The bracket championship games are scheduled for 5:15 pm (with an "If Necessary" game at 6 pm).  We hope that you get a chance to take in the action on Saturday.