At the Bright House Sports Network 9 Route 7 on 7 Tourney presented by BCP, there were so many observations over the 2 day event that it was hard to remember them all. But I put something together and I think you’ll like it. With no further delay, I give you the …
9 Route Awards
Disclaimer: some of these awards are comical.
Best Dressed
Tampa Bay Tech: The Titans made a 7 on 7 splash with some fresh uniforms. Red sleeveless compression tops, navy shorts, tastefully inked with white text – “Titans”.
Loudest Coach
Dale Caparaso, Spoto: Coach Cap can be heard from any location within a half mile radius. In my best Coach Cap voice, “No no, go Friday, Friday (defensive play call)”.
Yap Yap Game (Most Trash Talk)
Tarpon vs. Lakewood: The Pinellas County schools went at it on Friday. No love lost in this game. Tarpon was in no way intimated by Lakewood and Lakewood made every effort to try and display Pinellas County dominance. This game was exciting from start to finish and the offense that missed on a scoring possession was going to lose this game. Each time a team made a play, they let the other team know it. Plenty of times players were noise to noise in competitive fashion barking at each other. Lakewood eventually won this game.
Surprise Team
Tampa Bay Tech: TBT came into the tourney without much 7 on 7 tournament experience being in a double wing based offense the past 3 seasons under previous head coach CC Culpepper. But they made sure their presence was known this weekend. Tech advanced to the semifinal game without a 1000 plays or complicated playbook. QB, Aaron Midthus played well allowing his multiple playmakers to make plays. On the defensive side, the Titans were up and down, but mostly up with very athletic skill players and 2 of the best CBs (Tre Stewart and Major Bloom) at 9 Route.
Best Team Camp Tent Set Up
Plant: Next time we have National State of Emergency, we need to notify Plant High. The Panther crew set up a diner, infirmary, gymnasium and learning center in 15 minutes. The Panther coaches arrived hours early, scouted the area, marked their territory and then popped the smoke signal for the Panther Parent Helicopter to drop the survival supplies. Ok Ok, well maybe they didn’t build the gym, but they sure did pop up about 4 or 5 tents and made a nice camp site for their squad.
Best Team Chant
Wharton: The wildcats do this chant where they “Boom” and everybody falls on the floor. Seen it before, but still kind of cool.
Fan Support
Gaither: No Gaither parent works on Friday. The Cowboys faithful were out Friday and Saturday cheering on their boys.
Most Coaches
Gaither: The Cowboys invaded FishHawk with at least 23 coaches – ok, for real, about 10 or so. They had all the position coaches, even the offensive line coach to watch the center snap the ball. They had the team Chaplin, equipment manager, PTA president and the head custodian. Cowboys came DEEP!
Work The Ref Award (Staff that stayed in the referee’s ear)
Gaither: Has anyone ever seen Gaither head coach, Jason Stokes, turn a bright rosy red? You gotta see it. Stokes and staff made the officials earn every penny. They quoted all 62 rules in the rule book, never stayed behind the sideline and I think I saw the defensive coordinator attempt to slide one of the officials a few bucks (not for real), haha! Dang Gaither guys!
Speed Kills Award
Lakewood: The Spartans flew around and they were fast. They put pressure on every defense they played. Plenty of YAC (yards after catch) for the receivers.
Most Versatile Player
Shug Oyegunle, Gaither QB/WR: Shug may start the game as the Gaither QB, but when they need a play, enter the rising sophomore QB (Alex McGough) and slide Shug to the slot. Now you got something as Shug made plays inside and outside and gave defenses fits.
Code Black Award (Lock Down Corner)
Tre Stewart, Tampa Bay Tech.: Stewart had a great tournament and made a name for himself with the BCP staff. When the ball was in the air, 9 times out of 10, Stewart either came down with it or defended it. He has excellent ball skills, good hips and gets off the ground in a hurry.
Game to Watch
Plant vs. Gaither: “Plant Plant Plant”, that dang chant haunts me from my days coaching at Hillsborough High, but Gaither loved it and wanted to take down the Panthers in the worst way. About half way through the game, you knew, whatever team had the ball last would probably win the game. The field was packed with spectators, it was the 3rd playoff game of the day and both schools wanted some of each other. Lots of emotions were displayed and the coaches coached their butts off. Plant won this game 14-13.
Gunslinger
Louie Pappas, Tarpon Springs: Pappas showed every ball in his tool box. He threw rockets, he squeezed in balls between defenders and he displayed magnificent touch. He was so cool and fun to watch.
Scrappers
Strawberry Crest: This award could have gone to Bloomingdale or Newsome, but The Crest took down the defending Champ, Spoto Spartans which ultimately earned them this recognition. They were never the biggest, fastest or most athletic, but they fought and scrapped every game.
Duplicate Award
Bloomingdale: This award goes to the school that has the most coaches that look alike. Bloomingdale has 3 coaches that look just like head coach, John Booth. Scruffy beard, white, and bald. A few times, I went to call “Coach Booth” and had to hold back at the last second saying to myself, “that ain’t him”.
Past the Roster Limit Award
Tampa Bay Tech.: Each Team was allowed 25 players on their roster for the tournament. TBT decided to bring the JV team and Nuccio Jaguars Youth organization varsity team. Giving them an even 60 player roster all dressed in the TBT sleeveless compression shirts. Seriously, coach Roberts tried to pull one over on me bringing more the 25 kids. I will bill him for that, haha.
On Arrival Award
Plant City: The Raider showed up only as Plant City can…Pickup trucks full of kids in the back. The PC boys jumped out the trucks with their bright orange, iPods and cleats in hand focused for a good showing.
Overlooked Award
Newsome: Because Newsome is primarily an option offense, you don’t really expect them to kill anyone in 7 on 7. But QB, Will Worth and the boys made teams earn their pay. The Wolves won their first 2 games Friday, tied the third game and lost last game due to forfeit (team left during a lightning delay assuming the day was over).