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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Thomason Burkett defends a pass Saturday, May 17 against the Springtown Porcupines. Burkett made the most of his first chance to shine on both ends of the field during the opener of this offseason program. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Walker Bennett makes a toe tap catch in the back of the endzone for Graham’s first touchdown Saturday, May 17 against the Springtown Porcupines. Bennett, alongside receivers like Brodie and Bryce Martin, had standout performances across all games making big plays. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Brodie Martin sprints away after making a big contested catch over the middle of the field for a touchdown Saturday, May 17. Martin also had a multiple touchdown game against the Lake Worth Bullfrogs later in the day.
It may not seem like it, but the Graham Steers and Lady Blues are just a little over three months away from fall sports kicking off once again. The Steers took a step in preparation for that by kicking off their 7on7 football schedule in Fort Worth.
The Steers first tournament took place Saturday, May 17 where they took part in three matches against teams like Panther Creek, Springtown and Lake Worth.
The 7on7 season of football plays out differently than a conventional game. The matches are able to be played in a tournament style and are shorter contests, only about 30-40 minutes each, and are non-contact.
The purpose of holding these tournaments has less to do with a win-loss record and are more for developing chemistry amongst players for their upcoming seasons.
Coach ZT Burkett said that the Steers have a particular advantage in these kinds of tournaments though. Burkett said that most teams Graham faces in the regular season are run first offenses, so they need to change their playcalling.
However, the Steers run a pass first offense so they have a playbook that translates easily between seven on seven matchups and regular season play.
“Our offense out here is the same thing we run in the fall,” Burkett said. “We get to do the same thing all year so that helps really well.”
The Steers showed fight all afternoon even though their record in the end may not have reflected that. The team dropped their first two matchups to Panther Creek and Springtown 26-19 and 26-20 respectively.
However, they ended the afternoon on a high note dominating the Lake Worth Bullfrogs 35-6 as their passing game was really meeting the moment.
Quarterback Jace Gill started to come into his own as the day went on, forming connections in the passing game with players like Brodie and Bryce Martin while also finding players like Walker Bennett for some momentum shifting runs as well.
