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Substitute Teaching: Lions sharpen their skills with 7-on-7 play
Photo courtesy of Monica Garza
By Andrew Snyder, asnyder@starlocalnews.com
McKinney gathered with schools from around the area at Frisco Centennial on Thursday to take part in league 7-on-7 play and keep something like football on the schedule in the downtime before the fall season arrives.
“More than anything it's getting a chance to play with one another during the summer,” said Jeff Smith, McKinney head coach. “We want our kids being around each other in the summer, whether it's through the performance course or 7-on-7 or whatever. You want them around each other and not sitting at home on the couch. Regardless of who's here, whether it's are starters or not, it gives us opportunity to play against good competition and as a team.”
Along with being a more enjoyable way to keep players in shape, 7-on-7 football allows them to refine more subtle skills than the business of simply getting bigger, faster and stronger takes into account, with communication foremost on the list. The rules of the sport, which prohibit football coaches from participating, make that an even greater focus, as players are left with the responsibility of running their own game.
Liberty will be looking for a new quarterback this season, and 7-on-7 football games are an opportunity for those in play to show off their skills. For veteran quarterbacks like Centennial's Lamar Jordan and McKinney's Robert Somborn, they're a chance to learn the tendencies of a new core of receivers.
And while it may be a poor representation of the kind of football they'll be playing in the fall, 7-on-7, which features only skill players and no pass rush, still gives participants the opportunity to build up a level of rapport and familiarity with one another in a more relaxed environment.
“[Somborn] has been through spring ball, but he's got a new group of guys that he's throwing the ball to that he's trying to find chemistry with,” Smith said.
McKinney has seen plenty of 7-on-7 action so far this summer. In addition to league play, the Lions have played in several State Qualifying Tournaments (SQT), including those hosted by Wylie, where they went 0-3, and Plano West, where they went 2-1.
McKinney went 0-2 on Thursday, losing to Trinity Christian Academy, 21-14, and Frisco, 25-22.
Centennial has also been an active and successful tournament participant. After a breakout 2011 campaign in which Jordan threw for 2,422 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 920 yards and 11 touchdowns, the incoming senior has already guided the Titans to a berth in the Division I FOX Sports Southwest 7-on-7 State Championship Tournament, which will be held July 19-20 in College Station.
“I think the biggest difference between this year and last year for him going into the season is just going to be his confidence level,” said Mark Howard, Centennial head coach. “It's a whole lot different than it was last year.”
But that impression is irrespective of how the Titans have performed this summer, which Howard said doesn't have much to do with what his team runs on offense or defense during the regular football season.
And while coaches may not be overly concerned with the outcome of a 7-on-7 game – Smith said it's just about going out, having fun and playing the game – they still want their players to be. Competition means winners and losers, and they want to see that even during the summer, their team cares about being on the former side.
“I think the most important thing is that we're competing and that we're lining up to play and keeping our mind on football,” Howard said. “It's a chance to stay active and busy.”
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