Tri-Valley, West M Show Off Reloaded Rosters in Competitive 7-on-7
DRESDEN, OH – Less than two weeks to go until we have pads and tackling in front of our very eyes, but until then, seven-on-seven football action between two of the premier programs in the MVL.
Talking specifically about Tri-Valley and West Muskingum in a big school versus small school battle.
It’s a different Tri-Valley team than this time a year ago, with plenty of popular faces leaving the team like Max Lyall, Keaton Hahn, and Jayden Wallace.
The five-time defending big school champions are not rebuilding, they are reloading. Senior receiver Ryan Lamonica is expected to have a big part to play this year for the “Dawgs” under the returning Cam West, who will be back in charge of the team once more.
“We have a lot of positions that are kind of up in the air, and multiple guys, who, come week one, could be starting” says West.
“So seeing our guys compete against another team, with speed and physicality, is something that you cannot duplicate in practice.”
When asked about areas of improvement from seven-on-seven competition, Lamonica said, “Route running is obviously huge, and then defense, coverages, knowing what we are doing. That is really what we are looking for in seven-on-sevens”.
Meanwhile, 2024 small school runner up West M is doing a bit of reloading as well, eyeing the top spot in the standings in 2025.
Like Tri-Valley, the Tornadoes lose three of their main offensive weapons from last year’s team. However, an incoming senior in Braxton Brownrigg, and rising junior, Carter Smith, both see the benefits of seven-on-seven ahead of this season.
“Seven-on-sevens are a very good tool to use in the offseason” says Brownrigg.
“Obviously it’s never as good as you think, never as bad as you think. There are things that we still need to work on, but seven-on-sevens really help our passing game.”
Smith added, “Teamwork and just working on your game. Just route running and catching the ball. Then defensively, just working on drops and all that other stuff. Just work on yourself, really.”
With all the reloaded talent that head coach Nate Brownrigg has at his disposal, what is most important to him in seven-on-sevens is competition.
“It is a chance to come out and compete, you know, guys go against somebody else. So it’s not somebody they have seen every day run routes that they have seen run” said Brownrigg, who is entering his sixth season with the Tornadoes.
“It’s a chance to go out and compete, and it’s always a pleasure to come and work with Coach West and Tri-Valley.”
West M starts its season at home against Lakewood on Thursday, August 21st, while Tri-Valley travels to Meadowbrook on the same day.
