Teams keep 7-on-7's in summer — for now

NORWALK — The sights and sounds were commonplace. Seeing and hearing high school football teams go through a seven-on-seven passing scrimmage in late June is not out of the ordinary. Especially in recent years as the passing craze only grows. But will seven-on-seven events — where seven defenders and six offensive players (and a center to snap the ball) — become the norm year-round in Ohio? And if it does, is that the next step toward the Buckeye state joining many others across the U.S. that allow high school spring football practices? "I like what the state did by allowing seven-on-seven's throughout the year," Norwalk head coach Keith Mora said after his team hosted Elyria and Sheffield Brookside on June 20 at Contractors Stadium. "It kind of puts us at the same playing field that other sports have been able to do for years," the second-year head coach said. "Before, you couldn't even look at your football guys until May or June, and it was just the 10 offseason days. "So it gives you more time with your team, and I'm in favor and like them — but for what they are. It's a way to get a little bit better for a real game." Mora is referencing the Ohio High School Athletic Association's April 5 announcement that it will now allow football players to compete in more seven-on-seven showcase events beyond the previously sanctioned summer dates. That move also cleared the way for standout prospects to compete in seven-on-seven showcases before the previous start date of May 15. The changes are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2023. Much of the decision appeared to center around Shaker Heights' Trey McNutt, who was facing a possible suspension for participating in a passing event in January. McNutt is the top-ranked safety in the state for the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. But will winter passing events become the norm for area players? Both head coaches in the Maple City indicated it's too early to say. Mora and first-year St. Paul head coach Chris Doughty are among many to debate an age-old question in high school athletics: How much is too much? The new guidelines According to the release from the OHSAA, seven players per school are permitted on a non-scholastic team before June 1. Also of note, coaches are allowed to coach their players in the seven-on-seven tournaments or events. However, coaches still cannot do instruction with athletes during the no-contact period, which is the first 28 days after a team's last game of its previous season. Coaches can also put players through drills for showcases or tournaments from May 15-July 31, but the school must count it as one of their 13 allotted days for offseason instruction. There is no limit to the amount of seven-on-seven events a player can participate in prior to May 15. "We have been talking about the football seven-on-seven regulation for some time and we believe that football should be treated the same as our other team sports, essentially allowing football athletes the same opportunities as their peers in other team sports," OHSAA executive director Doug Ute said in the April 5 announcement. "Most other states already allow it, so there have been a growing number of situations when Ohio student-athletes have had to pass up opportunities in the winter and spring due to our regulations. We want to stress that hitting is still not permitted in the offseason, but this change expands what football players can do outside the season." Hot button topic The validity of the passing scrimmages and tournaments from a team perspective have been debated for years. Many head coaches will tell you they ultimately do little toward winning games in August and beyond. Yet almost every program also schedules several throughout each summer. In the case of the Truckers, they entertained the Pioneers and Cardinals last week under the umbrella of passing practice against kids in different helmets. "We were impressed with the way our kids played and competed today given the temperatures," Mora said." It's very hot outside, especially on the turf. We feel like we got one day better, which is what we wanted. "This was pitched to Elyria and Brookside as a practice. You could stop things in between, talk to your kids and fix some things that needed to be fixed. It was a seven-on-seven, but more so a learning opportunity to see something different." Mora noted it can get a little long in the summertime when facing teammates. "So this breaks it up to do something different with some other schools," he said. "We appreciated they were willing to treat it less as a fast-paced event, and more of an opportunity to learn and teach. The kids got better." The Truckers are slated to compete in passing tournaments at Crestview (July 11) and Lexington (July 23) before the first official practice for the 2024 season begins on Aug. 1. Further down the field house at Whitney Field, St. Paul will host three seven-on-seven scrimmages this summer. The Flyers host St. Mary Central Catholic on July 10; Sycamore Mohawk on July 18; and Margaretta on July 24. All three passing scrimmages start at 9 a.m. at Contractors Stadium. "I think any time you can give the kids an opportunity to compete, whether that be with teammates at regular camp days or seven-on-sevens — just having that opportunity for the kids to have competition is good," Doughty said. "The more competition you have factors into the overall season. "So just some offseason competition is a good thing. They don't equate into wins in the fall. But the competitive nature of them is overall good for the season." Why do them? "A lot of it is just, it's early season install stuff," Doughty said. "I'm sure we'll refer back to it some, but a lot of it is just some beginning stepping stones to the start of our regular practices in August." From Mora's view, he's a fan of seven-on-sevens at surface level for what they are. "Which is a good opportunity to work on passing concepts and defensive coverages," he said. "You have to kind of go backwards a little bit and re-teach some things. "Like with linebacker reads. Because they tend to bail out early in a seven-on-seven, as opposed to having to make a run read." What's next? While the change in the calendar is significant for the OHSAA, many things still remain the same. Contact football is still not allowed outside of the season, which begins officially with practices on Aug. 1. Helmets and cleats remain the only equipment allowed before then. But there is also a prevailing thought that the expansion of seven-on-seven dates could lead to more. Ohio is considered a "hot bed" state when it comes to football talent across the country. The only states that produce more five-star, Power Five conference recruits are California, Georgia, Florida and Texas among others. But those four states are also among those that have some form of spring football practice — much like a major college program has spring practices and a scrimmage. Bordering states, Indiana and Kentucky, also allow spring football. The OHSAA has long maintained that spring sports participation needs to be protected. Coaching at a small school, Doughty agrees. "Fifteen years ago I was in school as a three-sport athlete, and that was fairly common at a school our size, and it still is," he said. "I think there are less of them now, but it's one of those things where we really try to encourage kids to be multi-sport athletes. "I'm sure there are some benefits to it. But when you have a limited number of kids in the school and you want them to develop as an overall athlete with basketball, wrestling, baseball and track — that definitely takes a hit on participation in those other sports." Doughty said he doesn't envision St. Paul participating in spring activities anytime soon, including seven-on-sevens. "I think in our situation, we do enough things in June and July that I don't feel like we're falling behind by not participating in the spring if that were an option," he said. Still, with the seven-on-seven calendar greatly opening up, the argument and debates around spring football isn't going away. As Mora noted, teams need to use the expanded time to "keep up with the times." But where is the imaginary line drawn? "It asks the kids to do an awful lot," Mora said. "We ask them to do travel baseball or basketball in the summer, but also find a way to work football in. How much can you stretch the kids out? That part is always going to be tough. "But at the same time, if you're not doing it and the rest of your league is, then what are you doing? You have to do something to remain competitive. It's just kind of the name of the game."