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14th Annual Shootout of the South 7-on-7 is this weekend

The 14th Annual Shootout of the South takes place at Mighty Blue Bird Fields (6800 Pinnacle Valley Road) Friday, June 15th and Saturday, June 16. The tournament’s primary sponsors are Bowen Hefley Orthopedics and Arkansas Surgical Hospital. The twenty-six team field, the largest in tournament history, will participate in six pool games Friday beginning at 11:00 am. Friday’s games conclude at 7:00pm. Saturday, teams will begin play in one of the four regional tournament brackets: Lumber 1 Home Center, Cumberland Consulting Group, Kanis Self Storage, or The Manor Senior Living. The winners of the regionals compete in the Bowen Hefley Orthopedics championship bracket and others will finish their day in the Arkansas Surgical Hospital consolation bracket. Champions from each tournament will be crowned with title games slated for 4:40 pm. In total, over a two-day period, on five fields, over 123 7-on-7 games will be played by 600 participants.

This year’s Shootout features several team from the Natural State. The Heber Springs Panthers, Lakeside Rams, and (4A state runner up) Warren Lumberjacks enter the field. Additionally, tournament veterans the Little Rock Catholic Rockets, England Lions, and Maumelle Hornets return for competition. Northwest Arkansas teams competing are the (2005 Shootout champion) Rogers Mounties and the Springdale Bulldogs. Salt Bowl rivals the Benton Panthers and Bryant Hornets return for their second year of tournament play. Arkansas schools rounding out the field are the Fountain Lake Cobras, Searcy Lions, Monticello Billies, and Mena Bearcats. The host team and six-time Shootout champion Pulaski Academy Bruins will have two teams participating.

Returning to the tournament is Allen High School, the defending 2017 Shootout winners and the 6A Texas state champions. Also Keller High School makes its second trip into the tournament field. Four Oklahoma schools will travel across state lines: Afton Eagles (2017 Class A state champions), (2007 Shootout champion) Heritage Hall Chargers, Miami Wardogs, and Stigler Panthers. The lone Missouri team in the tournament this year is Glendale High School. They will feature two teams in Shootout competition. Newcomers to the tournament this year are 6A state semi-finalist Olive Branch High School (5A state semifinalist) from Mississippi and Turner County from Georgia.

Several college prospects will showcase their skills in this year’s tournament. Bryant senior quarterback Ren Hefley (UT Martin) who passed for 1400 yards and 16 touchdowns last season leads the Hornet offense. Hornet cornerback Andrew Hayes (UCA) anchors the secondary. Pulaski Academy’s offense features the number one tight end in the nation, Hudson Henry, and (Air Force) receiver John David White. The Warren Lumberjacks are led by Treylon Burks, the 13th rated receiver in the country. Jevon Banks, who holds offers from Louisville and Southern Miss, is the heart of the Olive Branch defense. Tim Williams (Dartmouth and Cornell) and Tony Young (UAPB) lead the Searcy Lion offense. The Catholic High Rockets leader is multi-purpose running back Samy Johnson (UCA, Idaho, and Texas State). Springdale high school two way player Chops Sanders has an offer from UCA.

Allen Texas provides a host of Division 1 talent. Starting quarterback Grant Tisdale is committed to Ole Miss, and wide out Theo Weese is committed to Oklahoma. Wide receivers Bryson Green and Blaine Green both hold offers from Ole Miss and Kansas. Running Back Andrew Henry has been offered by UTEP, New Mexico State, and Texas State. Defensively, the Allen secondary is led by Devyn Butler (Arizona) along with KJ Willie and Mo Perkins, both offered by East Carolina University. The Benton Panthers that claim offers are Zac Wallace Running back (Army) and Kyvin Carroll Linebacker (Missouri Western). Gavin Wells and and Devin Griifin hold scholarship options University of Arkansas Monticello. Heritage Hall rounds out the field with Jaden McDaniel (Emporia State) and Billy Ross (UCO).

Other players to watch in the tournament are Pulaski Academy safety Blake Titus, quarterback Braden Bratcher, and running back Jaden Kelley. Nate Bryant from Stigler is receiving college interest. For the Warren Lumberjacks’, defensive back Keemontrae McKnight and quarterback Jmalachi Kinnard are standouts. Tailback Latavion Scott (Ark Tech) and Jacob Neel (UAPB) for Bryant are players to watch. The England Lions are led by Tyler Woods and Kvon Mcpherson.

A final thanks to our sponsors. The tournament t-shirt sponsor is Adidas. The Championship T-shirts are provided by Primary Residential Mortgage. A special thanks to the Hatcher Agency, Hugg and Hall, along with Roller Chenal Funeral Home for furnishing tents for the players. The hospitality room is sponsored by Allison Financial. The Little Rock Athletic Club and Edwards Food Giant graciously provided water and Gatorade for all players. Finally Steve Landers Toyota purchased a barbecue meal for all players and coaches on Friday.

All-day admission into the tournament is $5.00 per person, and children 8 and under are free. Concessions will be available throughout tournament play.

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