Time to break out the dry-fit jerseys and lace up those cleats.
Football returns to the Bay area this weekend.
The annual Bright House Sports Network 9 Route 7-on-7 football tournament, sponsored by our partners at Big County Preps, begins Saturday and lasts through Sunday, with the championship game to be broadcast LIVE on BHSN (Ch. 47/1147) at 6 p.m. The contest will take place at the Fishhawk Sports Complex in Lithia, FL.
Last year's champion, East Lake, looks to defend their title without star quarterback Pete DiNovo, who is now enrolled at UCF, but there's a group of 29 other teams looking to unseat the defending champs. Here's a preview of what's to come this weekend:
SCHEDULE
Saturday, July 13th
Each team will play 4 pool play games
Wave 1 (14 teams) 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wave 2 (14 teams) 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 14th
Each team will play 1 pool play game 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Single game elimination tournament begins at 10:30 a.m.
Championship game time – 6 p.m. (LIVE on BHSN, Ryan Bass and Jeff Carlson calling the game)
LOCATION
Location: FishHawk Sports Complex (near Newsome High School)
16120 Fishhawk Blvd.
Lithia, FL 33547
TEAMS COMPETING
Plant, Lakewood, Armwood, Tampa Bay Tech, East Lake, Freedom (Orlando), Freedom (Tampa), Strawberry Crest, Middleton, Fort Meade, Gaither, Newsome, Boca Ciega, Durant, Countryside, Tampa Catholic, Spoto, Zephyrhills, King, Blake, Bloomingdale, Gibbs, Steinbrenner, Dixie Hollins, Cambridge Christian, East Bay, Frostproof, Alonso, Dunedin, Wharton
PAST TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS
2010 SPOTO
2011 PLANT
2012 EAST LAKE
PAST MVPs
2011 Dereck Mann (Plant)
2012 Pete Dinovo (East Lake) current University of Central Florida quarterback
MATCH UPS TO WATCH OUT FOR
Saturday
Armwood vs. Gaither, Wharton at 11 a.m., 12 p.m.
Gaither vs. Tampa Catholic, 12 p.m.
Plant vs. Strawberry Crest, 9:30 a.m.
Tampa Bay Tech vs. Newsome, 9:30 a.m.
Newsome vs. Boca Ciega, 10:30 a.m.
Gibbs vs. Alonso, 2:30 p.m.
Lakewood vs. Freedom Orlando, 3 p.m.
Countryside vs. Freedom Orlando, 5 p.m.
Sunday
East Lake vs. Armwood, 9 a.m.
Gibbs vs. Gaither, 9:30 a.m.
Boca Ciega vs. Alonso 9:30 a.m.
Newsome vs. Durant, 8:30 a.m.
Countryside vs. Lakewood, 9 a.m.
PROSPECTS TO WATCH OUT FOR
George Campbell, East Lake 2015 WR/DB - arguably the top prospect in the class of 2015. Has nearly 30 scholarship offers, including from Florida, Clemson, FSU and Georgia.
Artavis Scott, East Lake 2014 WR - the recent Clemson commit is an electric player, and starred in last year's title game.
Kyle Gibson, Armwood 2014 DB - showed off his skills at NIKE's The Opening this month, and has offers from Vanderbilt, Notre Dame and Miami, to name a few.
Aaron Covington, Armwood 2015 DB - had two interceptions in spring game. Currently has an offer from UCF.
Andrew Beck, Plant 2014 LB - the Texas commit is one of the top linebackers in the area. A 100-plus tackle machine.
Maurice Hall, Gibbs 2014 ATH - A UCF commit who should play both ways for the Gladiators.
Jaylaan Wimbush, Boca Ciega 2014 WR/FS - threw two touchdowns in spring game against Arcadia and has game-chaning speed.
Devon Brockington, Zephyrhills 2014 ATH - played a little bit of everything last year.
Marcus Mosley, Alonso 2014 TE - one of the top tight ends in the Tampa Bay area, with top offers from Kentucky, Illinois and Louisville.
Chris Oladokun, Alonso 2016 QB - a rising stud in the area who has a rocket arm and sky-high confidence.
Ish Witter, Alonso 2014 RB - don't let his size fool you, this 5-8 back packs a big punch. He has Syracuse, Rutgers and Missouri offers.
Amani Oruwariye, Gaither 2014 DB - talented defender who continues to make plays in the secondary. Nebraska, Louisville and Vandy all want him.
Alex McGough, Gaither 2014 QB - a tall, athletic quarterback committed to FIU. Let Gaither to the title game last season.
Tajee Fullwood, Tampa Bay Tech 2014 WR/DB - the recent USF commit is an instant playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Joc Ellison, Lakewood 2014 WR - a spark plug in a 5-10 frame that is said to be close to committing to USF.
Chase Litton, Wharton 2014 QB - yet another USF commit who can sling the ball.
T.J. Harrell, Tampa Catholic 2014 RB/LB - dude's a riot, on and off the field. He's a big-time prospect with offers from FSU and Michigan State, among others.
Alex Carswell, Strawberry Crest 2014 TE - he's as advertised at 6-4, 210, and has offers from Cincinnati, Iowa State and USF.