Busy 7-on-7 weekend across the state

Friday, July 11, 2014

Three of the state's biggest high school 7-on-7 tournaments take place this weekend in different parts of the state.

Two of the tournaments begin today, with the sixth annual Southwest Elite 7-on-7 Showcase at Shiloh Christian High School in Springdale and the fourth annual Oil Town 7-on-7 tournament at Smackover High School. The third annual Garrett Uekman 7-on-7 tournament is Saturday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Southwest Elite features two Division I quarterback commitments, Charleston senior Ty Storey and Wynne senior Ross Trail. Storey has orally committed to Arkansas, while Trail has pledged to Cincinnati. Trail led Olive Branch, Miss., to the Southwest Elite title last year.

Pool play in the Southwest Elite starts at 9 a.m. with the championship game Saturday. Thirty-one teams from six states are entered in this year's tournament, including host Shiloh Christian, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Springdale Har-Ber and El Dorado. Other Arkansas teams include Harrison, Rogers Heritage, Arkansas Baptist, Little Rock Christian, Marion, Springdale, Van Buren, Alma, Conway Christian and Fort Smith Northside.

Out-of-state teams in this year's Southwest Elite include Oklahoma City Heritage Hall, Aurora (Ill.) Christian and Derby, Kan.

Defending champion Pulaski Academy leads the 12-team Uekman 7-on-7 field. The Bruins have won three 7-on-7 tournaments this summer, including the Sonic Air Raid in Searcy (June 7), the North Arkansas 7-on-7 tournament in Harrison (June 14) and the Shootout of the South in Little Rock (June 21).

Pool play in the Uekman tournament starts at 8 a.m. with the championship game scheduled for 4:40 p.m. The field also includes Clinton, Episcopal Collegiate, Highland, Hot Springs Lakeside, Jonesboro, Lake Hamilton, Little Rock Catholic, Russellville and Sylvan Hills.

Uekman, who starred at Little Rock Catholic, was a redshirt freshman tight end at Arkansas when he died unexpectedly Nov. 20, 2011, from an enlarged heart. He was 19.

Proceeds from the event are earmarked for the Garrett Uekman Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to raise funds for heart-disease research and education and to fund scholarships for deserving student-athletes.

Also, an Uekman Memorial 7-on-7 youth event (junior high and middle school) will be held today at War Memorial Stadium. Teams entered are Pulaski Academy, Little Rock Holy Souls, North Little Rock Immaculate Conception, Hot Springs Lakeside, Bryant Bethel, Little Rock Christ the King and Russellville.

The Oil Town tournament includes host Smackover, Camden Fairview, Fountain Lake and Bearden. Smackover is looking to win its fourth consecutive Oil Town title. Pool play begins at 9 a.m. with the semifinals at 5 p.m. and the championship game at 5:30 p.m.

Sports on 07/11/2014