For the first time under coach Bill LaRose, the Athol High School football team is putting in summer work at Excel Sports Academy’s 7-on-7 passing league.
The league consists of 18 teams including Springfield Central, Chicopee Comp, West Springfield, Minnechaug, Easthampton and South Hadley.
Tommy Guy is the quarterbacks coach at Springfield Central, and the director of player development and recruiting at Excel Sports Academy.
“A lot of high schools use this league,” Guy said. “It’s the biggest league in Western Mass. Teams use it to develop their passing game. There are no running plays and no contact.”
The league is useful in that it allows teams to work on the passing game as well as defending the passing game, according to Guy.
There are no linemen in 7-on-7 football. It’s essentially receivers, tight ends and running backs against linebackers with the secondary.
The Red Raiders play at Holyoke High School every Monday. The league gives last year’s starter, Caleb Cox, a chance to develop heading into his sophomore season.
“The kids have a good time,” LaRose said. “It’s something they aren’t used to. Slinging the ball around.”
Under LaRose, the Red Raiders use the Wing-T which leans heavily on the run game. But with roster changes, Athol could spread things out a bit in the fall.
“Just trying something new to see if it works,” LaRose said. “We don’t have the big pounding fullback. The kids are enjoying it.”
The league can help a team developing a passing game.
“Players can work on timing and getting better,” Guy said. “It’s a developmental league for players hoping to improve and it gets kids to play.”
Stephen Martin is the Founder and Director at Excel Sports Academy.
“We are excited to have Athol,” Martin said. “To have them make the trip is awesome. The goal is to give these kids opportunities.”
The Red Raiders play on Monday at 7 p.m. at Holyoke High School.
