It’s that time of year again. No, not that time of year where you are the only ones left in the neighborhood that haven’t been on vacation; it’s the annual rite of passage known at the BCP 9-Route 7-on-7 brought to you by BHSN at the Fishawk Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday. Although it is sans-heavy equipment, the competition is sure to get as heated on the field as the mid-July temperatures. There will be more action than just these match-ups, but here are ten games that catch the eyes and attention.
9:00am
Lake Wales vs. Tampa Catholic – Good game to get the juices flowing and the tournament rocking; both teams have firepower and it will be a nice to see QB Xavier Gaines from Lake Wales versus the two standout corners for the Crusaders.
Lake Gibson vs. Blake – Both teams intriguing for different reasons, however the Yellow Jackets are usually pretty stubborn come 7-on-7 season and this year shouldn’t be any different. The Braves have playmakers and both teams need to get off quickly before the heat sets in.
9:30am
Gaither vs. Brandon – Nothing too fancy about this game other than it is the defending champions who are in need of a quality replacement for Alex McGough and Brandon is this year’s newcomers to the BCP party. Let’s see if the Cowboys can make it repeat and the first game is the best game as any to make a statement.
11:00am
Spoto vs. Clearwater – You may be raising your eyebrows in confusion or curiosity (or both if you’re talented) at this mention, but you will be raising them in amazement and disbelief if all goes according to plan. Both teams can claim they have solid arguments as the perfect examples of; “If only they had just one or two…” and that’s changing. You will also get to see Garrison Bryant vs. Terrance Williams at the QB positions for their respective squads and that is going to NOT stink; at all.
11:30am
Strawberry Crest vs. Tampa Bay Tech – Ladies and gentlemen that sound you hear in the distance is more than just the Durant’s and Plant City’s or Newsome’s making noise, but teams like ‘Crest and East Bay (and even Spoto) are definitely looking to add their names to the reasons why you don’t want to get lost out there; even when you’re in the right spot. SC’s Tristan Hyde gets some serious testing versus some of the best talent in the entire tournament and it shouldn’t’ disappoint.
12:00pm
Tampa Catholic vs. Blake – Our first chance to “catch”-up (what I did there…you see it?) on the teams that started us off and a simultaneous opportunity to assess whether or not Blake is making the quiet (or possibly not-so-quiet at that point) run they could make, and to see what TC’s Nate Craig looks like once he’s had a chance to get into the flow of the day. This could also be an important game with implications for Sunday if both are either facing elimination or haven’t lost yet.
Lake Wales vs. Lake Gibson – This is also an important game if the same scenario is playing out as mentioned in the last matchup. Nothing but a good old-fashioned Polk Co. head-to-head with a promise for the dramatics I’m sure.
1:00pm
Lakewood vs. Clearwater – This game also promises to have some fireworks and by that time in the day you should be able to light them off by simply setting them in the sun for about five minutes no matches needed. The Spartans made it to the finals last summer and they are arguably the most-loaded team in the field this season, but that doesn’t mean you can just show up; ask Brazil. OOPS, wrong sport. You get the idea though. Lakewood doesn’t’ want to spontaneously combust against a team from just up the road.
1:30pm
Freedom (Tampa) vs. Pinellas Park – Scott Patchan getting some work in at TE against a team that always had (and has) talent on their roster and in their hallways; but without the proper direction. This is also Patriot-on-Patriot crime in a battle of common mascots, so let us try and forget that last weekend was the celebration of our independence.
Zephyrhills vs. Gaither – Might not sound like a night-out at the Opera with a little stroll through Central Park afterwards, (okay it is FARRRR from it), but don’t sleep on this matchup between teams that quite frankly many of you would rather see play this fall when the lights come on because of the AFC North-style of physical play, but will just have to settle for a little finesse for now.
– Doug Pugh