Hillsboro High School football coach Lance Sawyer was instrumental in starting the 7-on-7 Central Kansas Shootout this summer.
In addition to Hillsboro, which has two teams, and Marion, the league includes Herington, Inman and Lyons. Games are held in Hillsboro once a week during the month of June. The playoffs will be July 2.
Each team typically plays two games on any given Thursday. Two games are played simultaneously, with two teams playing on both sides of the 50-yard line. Teams must rely solely on passing and are allowed three plays to cover 15 yards for a first down.
Upon reaching the 15-yard line, teams have four plays to score. Sawyer said 36 boys from Hillsboro are participating.
?I think it?s great for our kids, just to get them out there and be active and learn to compete,? he said. ?I think that?s what we need as a program right now.?
Marion coach Grant Thierolf, who said he has 16 or 17 kids involved, echoed the sentiment: ?Anytime you get kids throwing footballs, catching footballs and just working on the moves and most importantly working on the defense, it?s a good thing,? he said.
?We?re very appreciative of the fact that Hillsboro and Tabor are putting this on and giving us the opportunity to play.?
