Now a decade in existence, the OPS 7v7 Summit City Shootout is traditionally looked upon by Outside the Huddle as the unofficial kick-off of the high school football season.
This year, 24 teams competed in big and small school divisions, the most ever for the event.
Despite being disrupted by Wednesday’s storms and being called early, Blitz was able to take in a lot of football in the 7v7 and lineman challenge portions.
A closer look at some of the storylines:
BISHOP DWENGER
No one impressed more than the Saints on the day. Bishop Dwenger won all three of its matchups and picked off at least a half-dozen passes.
While the results are immaterial, what caught Blitz’s eye was just how prepared and confident Bishop Dwenger played. Senior quarterback Henry Jordan was crisp and on target with his throws in a new scheme under first-year offensive coordinator Jason Russell.
The defense played with just as much confidence and is looking to be a big part of a resurgent Saints program after two-straight years of 6-6 campaigns.
Coach Jason Garrett maximized the opportunities presented in spring practice time. Going in the early morning so kids in other sports could attend, Bishop Dwenger was able to practice a dozen times with nearly its full complement of players while other programs going in the afternoon and evening had players out for baseball, track and other conflicts. The Saints are ahead of schedule entering the summer.
CARROLL
It is going to take a little bit to get used to No. 1 no longer being behind center for the Chargers. No. 1 being, of course, Jimmy Sullivan.
The three-year starter is now in Iowa City with the Hawkeyes, leaving a void in Huntertown as to who is going to lead Carroll this season.
Leo transfer Grayson Esguerra got the nod for last week’s Shootout for Carroll. While he threw some good balls, especially down the seam, he was not on the same page at times with his receivers. That is to be expected, considering he has only been with the team a few weeks. Esguerra has plenty of talent to lean on, with leading receiver Jaidon Vanpelt (53 receptions, 789 yards, 14 TDs) back as well as Mason Baughman, Logan Heath and Harrison Scheele. Vanpelt was not at the Shootout, but is sure to be a big-play machine once again for Carroll.
With Hamilton Southeastern and Center Grove to open the season in the non-conference, Esguerra or whoever ends up being QB1 will need to hit the ground running.
HUNTINGTON NORTH
It is unknown if Huntington North can equal or eclipse last year’s nine-win campaign, but last fall has paid dividends in terms of interest in the program.
Kids like to play for winners, and parents like their kids to play for winners. Thus, the Vikings have had an influx of talent from inside the building and outside in terms of transfers. One transfer of note is senior Bradan Corbett, who saw significant action at quarterback for Concordia a year ago.
But perhaps most important for Huntington North is the volume of linemen it is set to deploy in 2025. Many outside the program didn’t know just how dire the situation in the trenches was for the Vikings’ offense. Due to injuries and lack of depth, it was a patchwork offensive front for much of last fall in front of quarterback Tony Decker.
The expectation is that added numbers, and some good luck on the injury front, with see Huntington North have depth up front this season.
LEO
What does the post-Landin Hoeppner/Brock Schott world look like for the Lions?
Well, a lot of it will revolve around running back Nathan Foster, so Leo fans shouldn’t worry too much about the 0-3 record at the Shootout, considering there is no rushing in the event. Yes, there is a quarterback battle going on between senior Titus Stoller and sophomore Luke Marquardt, but the offense is going to run through Foster, who rushed for 1,312 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago.
A player to watch offensively in addition to Foster? Senior Kellan Hulburt, who is primed for a breakout season at receiver.
NEW HAVEN
Coach Vance Shearer is entering his second season at the helm, but it may as well be his first.
Thrust into the role late last winter when Kyle Booher exited, it was a battle for survival for Shearer as the Bulldogs went 1-9.
After an off-season of recovery and preparation, Shearer is ready to really push forward. New Haven will need awhile to build back up, but it has 18 coaches on the sideline for this season, compared to just eight last fall. That in itself is a tremendous boost in practice. One of those new coaches is Sherwood Haydock, formerly of Wayne, who has joined New Haven as an offensive advisor.
The positive vibes have pushed away the negative energy from 2024 for the Bulldogs.
NORTH SIDE
The Legends’ athleticism was once again on display at the Shootout as the team went 3-0 in pool play. Perhaps most impressive was senior quarterback Jaydin Rivers, who looked silky smooth in his throws all day long.
Of course, every quarterback looks better when a defense isn’t coming at them, but Rivers showed an accuracy that is really going to get the ball in space to guys like senior Sebastian Moore and junior Maalik Moore.
There is no question that North has the play-making personnel to be a factor in the SAC. But does it have the boys in the trenches?
SOUTH ADAMS
This offense could be really scary this year.
A fully-healthy Wes Summersett along with guys like Derek McKean and Jax Wanner on the outside, coupled with 23 of the team’s 30 rushing touchdowns back from last year and QB1 back in Tytus Lehman gives the Starfires an embarrassment of offensive riches set to hit the field in the fall.
South Adams swept through its competition in the Shootout with a 4-0 record, including a convincing win over rival Adams Central.
The ACAC could be hyper-competitive this year with the likes of Adams Central, Bluffton, Heritage and South Adams all looking the part of contenders. The Shootout gave the Starfires confidence, but Coach Grant Moser knows how to pull his kids back and let him know that things are a lot different come August.
WAYNE
It’s always great to see good people get an opportunity. That’s the feeling for Darrion White, the new head coach of the Generals.
While Bishop Dwenger looked like a well-oiled machine, it was clear that White is still working to get his kids to play his brand of football and learn the schemes.
Jayce White, Darrion’s son, comes over from Bishop Luers where Darrion was a long-time assistant and will be QB1. After that, it’s anyone’s guess for an offense that lost its top six rushers and six of its top seven receivers.
But we will be rooting for Coach White, one of the nicest guys around.
These opinions represent those of Blitz and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Blitz on Twitter at Blitz_OTH
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