The annual Optimum Performance Sports 7v7 Summit City Shootout has become a tradition of sorts for both area programs and Blitz alike. For this fuzzy bear, it is the unofficial kickoff of the upcoming season as coaches and kids continue preparations for the fall.
The event, now in its 11th year, also allows Blitz to see a multitude of area squads in one place – complete with a mix of old and new, as well as some emerging talents ready to step up and show out come August.
Today, we take a glance at what Blitz picked up on at Homestead on Wednesdays amongst the small schools…
FREMONT
The Eagles are coming off their first eight-win season in 24 years, so the arrow is definitely pointing up for Coach Trevor Thomas’ team heading into 2026.
And that is despite losing do-everything athlete Carmyne Moreno to graduation, who played multiple positions on both sides of the ball and is one of the most prolific rushers in program history.
While senior Jaret Laughlin could be the guy at quarterback, sophomore Kash Pillitiere definitely turned some heads on Wednesday, showing he is capable of making all the throws with some serious arm strength to get the ball downfield.
With Laughlin having run for a team-high 1,333 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Laughlin lines up in the backfield with Pillitiere at quarterback. While it may be truly impossible to replace Moreno’s impact, using Laughlin as a versatile offensive weapon like Moreno could be the best approach.
Regardless, there is true excitement around Fremont football that hasn’t been felt in some time.
BELLMONT
Is that optimism Blitz detects with Bellmont football?
The Braves went 2-1 in pool play, knocking off Southern Wells and Angola while falling by a single point against Adams Central.
Now, 7v7 isn’t football, but you can pick out positives or negatives for a team in the format. On Wednesday, there were a lot of positives for Bellmont.
“We have solid weapons and great depth right now,” said new head coach Blake Blaker. “We are returning almost everyone, and the hard work the team has put in since January is starting to pay off.”
Charlie Faurote was thrown into the fire as a freshman starting quarterback a season ago, but the struggles as a ninth grader are beginning to show dividends. Faurote looked much more confident and comfortable in the pocket on Wednesday, and spread the ball around to a variety of receivers. He hit Bellmont’s Z and X receivers for three scores each, the H receiver for a pair, the Y receiver for one and even checked down to the running back for a pair of touchdowns.
“Charlie is developing quickly,” Blaker said. “He is mastering the system and reads.”
Perhaps the most important aspect of Blaker’s program rebuild at Bellmont is depth. For a variety of reasons, lack of interest in playing football, transfers, etc., the Braves have struggled with numbers in recent years. A 42-game losing streak doesn’t help, either.
But on Wednesday, Bellmont had sufficient numbers to play just one player both ways. Overall, the program has been averaging 45 players at summer practices and workouts. And, says Blaker, “that commitment is building a lot of trust.”
Unprompted, one coach told Blitz on Wednesday, “Bellmont is going to win some games this year.”
ADAMS CENTRAL
With Wednesday’s event not allowing running plays, passing was forced upon everyone, even teams that are run-heavy like Eastbrook and the Flying Jets.
But it was tough not to notice when Adams Central went undefeated in pool play, led the small division with 89 points and aired it out considerably with senior Jamison Roach behind center.
The Flying Jets are never going to throw the ball 20-25 times on Friday nights as part of their game plan, but how do they take advantage of Roach’s stronger arm from a year ago while also staying true to their identity?
“I don’t think we will change what we do,” Adams Central coach Michael Mosser said. “However, I do hope to air it up a bit more than usual.
But of course, that means I will have to be willing to actually do it and feel confident in doing it as well. Time will tell.”
Basically, if Adams Central is mauling teams with its run game, as it has the tendency to do, what is the incentive to go to the air?
In previous years, the reasoning has been to prepare for teams in the playoffs that could neutralize the rushing attack. But that has been a struggle for opponents to do as well.
And if you call RPOs for Roach, he has no issue with taking off and running, evidenced by his 1,273 yards rushing last year.
But Mosser says he has more guys this year who can “go up and get the ball” downfield this fall, which is going to be bad news for foes who focus so much on bottling up AC’s rushing attack.
BLUFFTON
The next crop of studs at Bluffton are already making themselves known, with one entering Year 2 of varsity action and the other just one snap away from being under center.
Sophomore Maddox White showcased his athleticism, coming down with a couple of jump balls for touchdowns on Wednesday. The 6-foot-2 wideout is set to take the next step after Bluffton’s top three pass catchers on the outside all graduated. White started as a freshman last year for the Tigers, hauling in 16 balls for 202 yards and a pair of scores.
And while Axton Beste is back for one more season at QB1, the potential heir apparent in 2027 was impressive in this week’s event, with all of Bluffton’s touchdowns coming from the arm of sophomore Ethan Ribich.
One sophomore should shine this fall, while another may have to bide his time, but both are sure to eventually team up and make some exciting plays when it counts at Bluffton.
SOUTH ADAMS
It is next man up for the Starfires behind center with the graduation of Tytus Lehman. All he did a year ago was throw for 3,362 yards and 38 touchdowns as South Adams went 10-4.
That next man up happens to be junior Zaden Baumer, who in limited action a season ago completed 31-of-52 passes for 399 yards and four scores.
One of the benefits of the Summit City Shootout is reps for a quarterback that doesn’t have a lot of them, and for coaches to see how players, particularly signal callers, bounce back from adversity.
“Zaden didn’t do too bad for us,” said Coach Grant Moser. “He has a cannon. He just needs to keep getting better at decision making.”
As always, Baumer will have some dudes to throw to. While Wes Summersett didn’t suit up for the Starfires on Wednesday, the receiver fresh off a scholarship offer from Bowling Green is set for a monster senior campaign after hauling in 80 receptions for 1,562 yards and 16 TDs a season ago.
Jax Wanner, a classmate of Summersett’s, looked impressive in a WR1 role on Wednesday and should step in admirably for the production lost to the graduated Derek McKean.
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