By Dan Messerschmidt
CCN Sports Director
BUCYRUS — Football was in the air at Bucyrus High School Saturday — literally.
Redmen head football coach Aaron Eckert and his staff hosted the annual Bucyrus 7-on-7 passing scrimmage, the second of two such weekends in July.
This year was the seventh for Eckert organizing the event, but he continued what had been established by his predecessor, Jake Bruner.
“I think this is 14 or 15 years for us,” Eckert said. “It’s kind of grown each year to the point where we maxed out (the second week).”
The first weekend, July 7, was much lighter, with only 15 teams. Saturday, 44 teams descended on the Bucyrus Athletic Complex.
They came from as far away as Wayne Trace, Indian Lake and Triad and as close by as Crestline, River Valley and Plymouth. There were big schools, such as Toledo St. Francis, Dublin Jerome, Mansfield Senior and Columbus West. There were smaller schools like Arcadia, Cory-Rawson, and Pandora-Gilboa.
“It’s been good for us,” Eckert said. “A lot of teams get to come down to Bucyrus and see what we have to offer. We get a lot of compliments on our facilities and the way things are done. Kudos to all the guys that help, in the community and on staff.”
Eckert noted that the response dictates the need for two weekends.
“Usually, the second weekend is the biggest one,” Eckert said. “It’s the culminating event of the summer for a lot of teams. Overall, it’s been a good experience for a lot of teams that come down.”
For Eckert and the Redmen football program, the benefits are twofold. Not only does the team get the workouts that the visiting teams also get, Eckert nets the bonus of a fund-raiser.
“The goal of these things is to raise a little money for our program at a time when school budgets are a little tighter than they have been in the past,” Eckert said. “It’s necessary to raise a little money somehow. Fortunately for us, we’ve kind of been out there for a while with the 7-on-7 and it helps provide the things we need for our program.”
As hectic as executing the actual tournament seems there is even more work to get done leading up to it.
“There’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes for myself, the entire football staff and the Touchdown Club, which is the mothers and fathers of all our players,” Eckert said. “It’s kind of a community effort to get things going. Gameday is kind of the easiest part.”
Eckert said that he, like other coaches, are anxious to compete against other teams after spending the early part of the summer scrimmaging internally. It’s a chance to try players at different spots as teams prepare to head into two-a-days.
“It’s not real football but in the same sense, you get to work on the aspect of your passing game and your pass coverage,” Eckert said. “A lot of coaches, myself included, get to see different guys at different spots and you get a little better feel where your team’s at after today.”
Helmets are the only protective equipment worn, and receivers are considered down with a touch anywhere below the neck. There are no running plays and no offensive or defensive linemen. The fields are 40 yards long and it is possible to gain two first downs.
Dublin Jerome defeated Ashland Crestview in the championship game of the tournament bracket this week.
“We got to the quarterfinals, so we lost in the Elite Eight,” Eckert said. “Two weeks ago, we got third. As far as our players and throwing the football, I’m very happy.”
Though not in the actual passing competition, offensive and defensive linemen are able to participate in the linemen challenge, composed of a several strength and endurance tests. Bucyrus finished second to River Valley this weekend.
“That was good for us,” Eckert said. “We knew that this year, linemen should be a strength for us. We have a lot of guys returning. The kids have had one of the best off-seasons in the weight room we’ve had in a while. The commitment has been outstanding.”
Of course, the proof is in the pudding and results under the lights on Friday night are ultimately what matter.
“When you put the pads on, that’s what separates the men from the boys or the teams that are really good at summer stuff and what you do in the season,” Eckert said.
The first official practice permitted by the OHSAA is July 30 and the Redmen will waste not time getting started. A one-and-a half hour practice — Midnight Madness — will start at 12:00 a.m. and end at 1:30 a.m.