Three takeaways from Iowa 7v7 football's Back 2 Ballin' tournament in Cedar Falls
Iowa 7v7 Football hosted its annual Back 2 Ballin’ tournament this past weekend, and some of the top players in the Midwest were there to compete.
Aside from standout performances from individual players, there were some lessons to be learned – especially for this Des Moines Register reporter taking in her first 7-on-7 tournament.
Here are three takeaways from the Back 2 Ballin’ 7-on-7 football tournament.
It’s amazing what defensive skills stick out in 7-on-7
Everyone loves a good, hard-hitting tackle. That’s the nature of football, after all. But an entirely different area of the defense is on display when tackling is replaced with two-hand touch.
Interceptions – and the ability to read opposing quarterbacks and receivers – are celebrated in 7-on-7. Teams get two points for each interception they haul in.
A player’s ability to lock down an opponent in coverage also stood out, because taking away a target is one of the most important parts of the game.
There was a stark difference between good and great quarterbacks
It’s clear that 7-on-7 football is meant to help the skill positions, and possibly the biggest emphasis is on the quarterback. Those players have just four seconds to throw the ball, and the quarterback occasionally needs to evade free-rushing defenders before attempting a pass.
Some quarterbacks stood out because of their ability to let off quick but accurate passes. There was no shortage of strong arms and deep passes on display.
But some quarterbacks showed room for improvement. Some players threw strong darts downfield, but those passes weren’t on target. Others frequently went high or low. Some quarterbacks attempted passes into heavy coverage, putting their receivers at risk.
This isn’t to say that those quarterbacks are bad – and it’s difficult to judge that outside of a game situation. But 7-on-7 football is set up in a way that highlights the good, while also shining a light on areas of improvement.
The future is bright for Iowa high school football
This tournament featured players from all around the Midwest, and there were plenty of athletes from several states who stood out. Iowa was no exception, with dozens of players across several squads who impressed.
Rising seniors like Bobby Bacon (Iowa City High), Dallas Miller (Iowa City Liberty), and Dante Sciorrotta (West Des Moines Valley) showed why they are considered among the top high school football players in Iowa.
But there were current freshmen – and even a few eighth graders – who made their mark. If athletes like Taylen Alford, Jaxx DeJean, and Pryor Reiners continue to develop, high school football fans will be in for some fun-to-watch football for years to come.
Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Three takeaways from Iowa high school football 7-on-7 tournament
