Big finish carries Trojans at 7-on-7

Given their late entry to the ranks of eight-man football last year, Parkers Chapel hasn't had the opportunity to experiment with team camps or 7-on-7's under the new format.

That changed on Tuesday with the Trojans traveling to Woodlawn for a 7-on-7 that also featured Rose Bud.

Parkers Chapel coach Josh Willeford said the Trojans got off to a rocky start, but finished with a flourish.

“Early on, we had our struggles,” Willeford said. “We did kind of a controlled scrimmage-type setting for the first part of it. I just think that our kids were a little unsure of the format. We had some bugs to work out and things like that, so we struggled pretty bad early on.

“We got into a groove when we played a live team situation, a 20-minute game situation, and we went 2-0 in those games. We beat both Woodlawn and Rose Bud.”

Willeford said there were two big plays that got the Trojans going.

“Dyson Dougan had an interception for us on defense, and then we hit Ethan Mayweather on a little crossing route that he broke for a big gain.

All of a sudden, the lights came on and we came to play,” Willeford said.

Dougan was one of several players Willeford singled out for their play.

“Maybe even more (on defense) than quarterback,” Willeford said of Dougan. “He did a heck of a job playing free safety for us. Ethan Mayweather made a few plays for us. Dakylan Hampton made a couple of really big catches, Chandler Boykin did some good things for us. We had a lot of kids that showed up, especially in that 20-minute team period.”

Willeford said the Trojans had to make some adjustments before settling in.

“This is the first 7-on7 that we've done since entering eight-man, so a lot of these kids have never been to anything like this,” Willeford said. “They were just a little unsure of the format and how things worked. I remember we completed a pass and once you catch it, you can run, but it's like two-hand touch.

“We had receivers blocking downfield, which is a great thing, except it's against the rules. We didn't know that, but I love to see the fact that kids turned and were try

Southern Sass/Special to the News-Times Room to move: In this file photo, Parkers Chapel quarterback Dyson Dougan carries the ball during the Trojans’ clash against Spring Hill at Victor Nipper Stadium during the 2022 season. The Trojans competed against Woodlawn and Rose Bud in a 7-on-7 event at Woodlawn on Tuesday.