Sports
Belton 7-on-7 for junior high to begin in April-May
Friday, 23 March 2012 by Keith Bahlmann
A Belton 7-on-7 Football Junior High Spring League is getting underway for its sixth season. All sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are invited to join in. It all starts April 10th and teams are getting organized now. The 8th graders are learning basics in the athletic period and sixth graders are a little less formal right now.
This league is used to introduce 7-on-7 football to youngsters in the spring and help all improve at throwing and catching, pass coverage, defense and just becoming a better all-around football player. Youngsters will learn how the league works and, hopefully, it will get them to practicing the skills and things that will help them to later be successful. It's all FREE. No registration is required and anyone ---boys who don't usually play football, girls, anyone who wants to participate --- it's all-inclusive.
This program was started in the spring of 2007 with about a dozen teams. Last year, there were 38 teams, as the program almost quadrupled in five years. This year, the Junior High League expands again, made up basically of teams from Belton's three middle schools and other invited schools. Salado, Academy and others have competed in the past.
468 youngsters had signed up as of Tuesday of this week and they will be divided into 36-40 teams for the league play..
All players get a T-shirt to wear at all games and all the participant needs is cleats and red or black shorts. A mouthpiece is recommended but is not required.
There is no limit on the number of teams or participants. All teams will have a sideline sponsor (adult or high school student) and BISD coaches will be present for all games. Although coaches aren't allowed to coach, provide transportation or money for activities, they are allowed to help organize, supervise and even officiate when needed.
There's something new this season. A Lineman's Challenge has been added to the junior high league, just like high school. It is basically a series of events like tug-o-war, tire flip, bench press, farmers' walk, etc. where the different teams compete against each other and score points for each event, much like a track meet. The team with the most points at the end of the challenge is the winner.
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The Junior High League will play in April and May, ending with a tournament and lineman's challenge on May 4.
The high school varsity will travel to Lake Travis for a state qualifying tournament; host our own state qualifying tournament in Belton June 9; play in the Under Armor Throwdown in Cedar Hill; and host the First Annual Lone Star Shootout June 15-16. Also, all of the Belton High School 7-on-7 teams will play in the Centex League with most of the other schools in 8-5A.
Since UIL rules do not allow BISD to fund any portion of 7-on-7 Football, it is critical that the program receives help from business and private sponsors. Your donation will help purchase uniforms, pay entry fees, officials, travel expenses. etc. All donations will be recognized in the full page color ad in the 2012 Belton Tiger Game Magazine and listed on the Belton 7-on-7 website (www.belton7on7.com). More importantly, your donation will help get nearly 500 Belton Tigers involved in summer activities that will benefit them for years to come.
A family donation can be made for any amount and will be greatly appreciated.
