Shootout of the South 7 on 7 to feature 24 teams beginning play on Friday morning
BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON
One of the state’ biggest and best 7 on 7 passing tournaments will get underway Friday morning in Little Rock.
The 19th annual Shooutout of the South has a loaded field of 24 teams that will have pool play from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday at the Mighty Bluebird Soccer fields with bracket play happening on Saturday.
The event is hosted by Pulaski Academy, whose head coach Anthony Lucas notes that they try to make it more than just a football competition.
“I think the best things that we try to provide in the hospitality, atmosphere and the safety part of it,” Lucas said. “We just try to do it first class and try to give money back to the teams come and participate.
“…We just try to prepare and all the coaches do as much as they can to make it the best it can be for all involved. We try to make it like Disney World with teams and players coming from different states and playing against the best.”
The level of team and individual talent has always been top notch at an event that began in 2005 per Lucas, the former Arkansas star and NFL player.
“Yes, it is loaded again,” Lucas said. “I don’t know the exact percentage of the kids that have D-I offers and go on to play college football, but I know it is really high.”
Pool A has Arkadelphia, Bryant, Harding Academy, Hot Springs Lakeside, Maumelle and Miami, Okla.
The teams competing in Pool B include Little Rock Catholic, Jonesboro, Pulaski Academy Gold, Texarkana, Fairlane, Miss., and Warner, Okla.
Texas teams Keller and Trinity are in Pool C along with Mississippi power MRA, Marion, Pulaski Academy Blue and El Dorado.
Pool D is comprised of Conway, Greenbrier, Hot Springs , Little Rock Christian, Sylvan Hills and Stigler, Okla.
“All these kids are going to get a chance to compete a high level while still having a great time,” Lucas said. “Those are two of of main focuses each year.”
