Cullman's Tyler Nunnelley takes a breather after a blocking drill. / Johnny Thornton
CULLMAN – High school football teams have changed the version of 7-on-7 competition for the summer time. Known to many as passing camps, the format can now be classified as organized team activity, something that is utilized in the off-season by the National Football League.
Cullman and Mortimer Jordan got together for a couple of hours Thursday morning at Oliver Woodard Stadium in an organized workout.
"We break the game down," coach Mark Britton said after it ended. "We have one-on-one drills with quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs, then we go to two-on-two and three-on-three drills."
While the backs, receivers, linebackers and secondary were taking up the south side of the stadium, the north side was occupied by linemen, dealing with drills in pass rush and pass protection.
Things were moving right along until a heavy shower arrived around 9:50 a.m., sending the Bearcats and the Blue Devils into the field house above the stadium.
Both teams weathered out the shower and returned to the field around 10:20 a.m. The two teams went into the next segment of the activity, working offense vs. defense from the 40-yard line and later, red zone offense against red zone defense, inside the 20-yard line.
"Your quarterbacks and defense benefit from this," Britton said. "We haven't been out here in several months. We are working on making corrections."
The Bearcats and Blue Devils ran 15 plays each from the 40 and then took seven snaps on possession at the 10-yard line, concluding the activity before 11 a.m.
"This was a chance to see our kids in different settings," Britton said. "Going against somebody new adds to the element of competition. The players know how to measure up to teammates in competition; now they are going against the best from someone else."
The Bearcats and Blue Devils worked on their spread formation offenses, getting snaps in and executing the run and the pass vs. different defensive sets.
All this took place without pads, with no heavy contact allowed. The conditions of Woodard Stadium with field turf were fine after the passing shower. Britton and Mortimer Jordan coach Dustan Goode were pleased to continue the event after the rain and no one sustained any type of injury.
Jordan has been very good in the last three years, posting a 33-7 record under Goode, appearing in the 5A state title game in 2015 and reaching the quarterfinals in the playoffs last season.
Mortimer Jordan is in Region 6 of 5A, with county schools Fairview and West Point on the schedule for regional play.
Cullman is coming off a 6-5 mark in 2016, reaching the 6A playoffs. They have been to the postseason in 14 of the 16 seasons they have been coached by Britton.
The 'Cats will have to replace some vacancies by graduation, with this type of activity allowing them to analyze the situation better with fall practice a month from beginning.
Britton reported the 'Cats and Blue Devils will conduct this once again on July 25 at Woodard Stadium. Britton is giving his squad next week off to enjoy the 4th of July holiday. They will resume condition workouts on July 10.
West Point-Hanceville 7-on-7 postponed
HANCEVILLE – A 7-on-7 between the West Point Warriors and Hanceville Bulldogs was postponed Thursday at Ray Talley Stadium, due to inclement weather.
Hanceville coach Craig Flanigan told The Tribune the teams are trying to work out a makeup date if possible.
Nothing has been officially set between the two schools after losing out to Mother Nature.
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