EVANSVILLE — Let’s put this out there first. I like the general idea of this event.
The inaugural Reitz Rumble 7-on-7 was scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Goebel Sports Complex. A whopping 36 high school football teams from Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois to comprise what could be the largest event of its type in the state. It would have been a quasi preview heading into practices in August.
The key word is ‘was’. Roughly 70 minutes of football was played before multiple lightning delays, rain and the looming threat of more put an early end to everything. Unfortunate luck considering the principal idea. It’s never a bad thing to get a sneak peek ahead of the season.
High school programs get five competition days during the summer for 7-on-7 or scrimmages. Reitz coach Cory Brunson found a willing and ideal facility to host multiple teams at once. Everyone was scheduled to play seven times. Why not have this in Evansville?
Mother Nature remains undefeated. Brunson said there are plans to continue this in the future, including the possibility on a Friday with Saturday as the backup date.
“A lot of schools and colleges do this,” he said. “This is really a great setup to put this together and get a lot of teams action. We get five competition days in the summer. Some schools may scrimmage all five or mix it up. It’s something fun that all the kids like to do. I liked the setup and the stuff we ran. It’s just Mother Nature.”
What did we learn from the inaugural event?
A full disclaimer: 7-on-7 isn’t close to normal football. It’s a fancier version of practice, or as one coach put it, ‘fantasy football.’ No running or tackling. No linemen. Some teams might throw more here than the entire regular season.
But it does offer additional reps and seeing coverages, offense and defense, at a crucial junction in the offseason. There’s nothing wrong with additional practices almost a month from Week One. So, what did we learn on Saturday?
Not much. Of course, that’s because weather wiped out most of the schedule. I only managed to watch snippets of Heritage Hills, Mater Dei, Memorial and Gibson Southern before the day was called. Getting a glimpse of Reitz, Jasper and Central, at minimum, was also on the schedule.
Heritage Hills vs Mater Dei was close on the scoreboard ― no running really changes both offenses ― with Jett Goldsberry and Tate Mallory, respectively, both having their moments. Memorial has potential with several skill position players back. It will be interesting to see junior quarterback Luke Brown adjust to varsity football, but he made a couple of strong throws to the sideline.
Gibson Southern probably was the sharpest given the limited time and how 7-on-7 works. Zach Foster had a great throw over the middle past two defenders for a touchdown. Already looking forward to the Titans against Heritage Hills in September.
At least this gets the appetite going for football. The first official practice is August 4. We’ll have a couple of preseason items next week with the bulk of coverage beginning Monday, July 28. Should be another interesting fall.
