PEA RIDGE — To further sharpen their passing skills for the upcoming football season, the Pea Ridge Blackhawks are competing this summer in the Northwest Arkansas Passing League.
Composed of Hunstville, Greenland, Heritage, Gentry, Springdale, Harber, Lincoln, Fayetteville, Elkins, Rogers, Northside, Prairie Grove, Siloam Springs, Farmington, Shiloh, Gravette, West Fork, Bentonville and Pea Ridge, the league will play thenext three Monday nights with last Monday’s activity held at Bentonville. Pea Ridge was slated to take on Gravette, Springdale, West Fork and Bentonville Monday.
The games operate in pool play with seven players on each team. There is no tackling with each squad advancing the ball by passing on every down.
No pads are needed as the teams will touch tackle with referees on the field to regulate competition.
Pea Ridge coach Tony Travis involved his team in the 7 on 7 this year “to get them a little sore and a little sweaty. We are about to have a busy schedule with 7 on 7 games as well as team camps so we needed to get them adjusted to it.”
The most the ’Hawkshave ever had available in the summer leagues will be on the field this summer with at least 30 playerssuiting up for action. With student/athletes having conflicts with family and community activities attimes, the ’Hawks have the depth this year to mount a good team effort regardless of those who might not be able to make a particular week.
The next time the locals will be in 7 on 7 action is Monday, July 16, at Shiloh.
The ’Hawks will play the host team as well as Northside, Heritage and Gentry.
On the last date, July 23, the Hawks will play Farmington, Gentry, Lincoln and Gravette at Lion Stadium in Gravette.
All games begin at 6 p.m.
Sports, Pages 8 on 07/11/2012