Twenty-four teams will gear up for competition this weekend at the BHSN/BCP 9 Route 7-on-7 Tournament. The tournament championship game will be aired live, Sunday at 3:00 P.M. on Bright House Sports Network (Ch. 47/1147).

Just like any competition, there are a few favorites.

The Plant Panthers are back to defend their 2011 championship, but will be without head coach Robert Weiner. Weiner and senior quarterback Aaron Banks will be attending the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Stepping up in Weiner's absence will be the duo of assistants T.J. Lane (offense) and Bo Puckett (defense.)

“We have to work the early rounds to get to the big show,” said Coach Weiner. “Anytime the guys know they can be seen on Bright House Sports Network, there is always that extra surge of energy.”

But the Panthers are coming for more than just a chance to get some TV time. They are approaching it just as if it’s the state championship game. The expectations and the attitude is always to win.

Plant will play two quarterbacks; junior Colby Brown and senior Kyle Groh. Groh led the Panthers to a win in the UCF 7-on-7 Tournament earlier this summer.

The Gaither Cowboys were the 2011 FCA 7-on-7 Challenge champions and the 2011 USF Sling and Shoot runners-up. The Cowboys are also coming off a regional finals appearance.

“We want to win,” said head coach Jason Stokes. “The guys feel it pumping through their blood when they know they have a chance to be on TV in the summer.”

The Cowboys will turn to junior quarterback Alex McGough for leadership this weekend. McGough is a good two inches taller from last year, and with a solid twenty-plus added pounds on him, he is sure to make his presence felt.

“Vocally, he sounds like a leader out there,” said Coach Stokes. “He's acting like a quarterback.”

Lakewood is back for their second year, as they advanced to last year's quarterfinals. The Spartans have already faced some adversity this summer, due to Lakewood high school being without power until the second week of August, as fire systems are being updated at the school.

“We’ve adapted to it well,” said head coach Cory Moore. “We meet each morning at St. Petersburg High School to get in weights.”

This weekend will be the first time this summer the Spartans will break from the repetition of summer conditioning, with the focus on functioning as a unit.

“I think many times I put the emphasis on winning,” said Coach Moore. “Don’t get me wrong we want to win, but it’s a total team effort that I am most interested in seeing on the field.”

Leading the team will be two quarterbacks; senior Tracy Johnson and junior Jock Ellison.

The Tournament

FishHawk Sports Complex (Near Newsome High School), 1620 Fishhawk Blvd. Lithia, FL 33547

Day 1: Saturday, July 14 at 9:00am

Each team will play six games (20 minutes each) to determine the brackets for Sunday’s games.

Day 2: Sunday, July 15 at 9:00am (Bracket play, single elimination)

Championship Game will be televised LIVE on BHSN (Ch 47/HD 1147) at 3:00pm

Teams Participating

Anclote, Newsome, Strawberry Crest, Gaither, Freedom, Plant, Alonso, Lakewood, East Lake, Gibbs, East Bay, Chamberlain, Plant City, Spoto, TBT, Tampa Catholic, Wharton, Boca Ciega, Cambridge, Durant, Bartow, Calvary, Bloomingdale, Middleton