Local football teams off to Wide World of Sports for 7-on-7

Posted Jul 20, 2010 by Eddie Daniels

Updated Jul 20, 2010 at 12:58 PM

The Pasco High and Wiregrass Ranch football teams will represent Pasco County this weekend when they compete in the Florida Premier 7s 7-on-7 competition.

The event, which will take place this Friday and end on Sunday, will also include Orlando Dr. Phillips, Miramar, Manatee and DeLand, among others.

“Wide World of Sports gave us a call probably around March or April and sent out some information,” Wiregrass coach Jeremy Shobe said. “They only invited what they called the top 100 teams in the state.”

The games will be played on a 40-yard field and each team is guaranteed five games; more if they advance.

Pasco coach Tom McHugh shares the sentiments of many coaches that believe getting out of the weight room and competing against someone else helps foster a willingness to improve.

“It’s been since the end of May they’ve been in the weight room and it does get kind of boring,” McHugh said. “You get to go out and play against guys you don’t know and guys you’ve read about on the internet.

“That also peaks these guys’ spirits. They’ll say, ‘Well, if that guys is supposed to be one of the top cornerbacks and I’m one of the better wide receivers, I want to see what the top cornerback can do.’ It’s that kind of thing. They like to compare themselves.”