MANSFIELD — There were video crews from two major recruiting services and photographers from at least three media outlets patrolling the sidelines, and Ohio High School Athletic Association-certified officials working each game.
A surprisingly large crowd filled a portion of the home stands at Arlin Field and the concession stand had a hard time meeting the demand for grilled burgers and bratwursts.
Even Mother Nature cooperated as unusually mild temperatures suggested high school football season already was in full swing — except practice doesn’t officially begin for another two weeks and the season won’t kick off until the final Friday of August.
Call it the evolution of high school football.
Senior High played host to an eight-team 7-on-7 passing scrimmage, attracting some of the premier programs from around Ohio including Cleveland Glenville, Massillon Washington and Trotwood-Madison.
Such a scene would have been foreign just 20 years ago, when Senior High coach Chioke Bradley was an All-Ohio defensive back for the Tygers.
“We didn’t have all these different resources that kids today have. This is a blessing,” Bradley said. “When I played, it was show up on the first day of practice in August for two-a-days or, back then, three-a-days. We didn’t have camp days and passing scrimmages.”
Across town at Madison, head coach Sean Conway and the Rams hosted a 10-team passing scrimmage on Wednesday. Madison’s 7-on-7 had a more local flavor as several teams from north central Ohio had a chance to play on the new artificial surface at STARTEK Stadium.
“I think the popularity in passing scrimmages can be traced to the fact that people are hungry for football,” Conway said. “It is a long wait until the end of August.
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to compete against someone else. When you get to two-a-days, it’s just practice after practice after practice against the same guys. These passing scrimmages give the kids a chance to see a different helmet lined up across from them.”
Ontario coach Scott Kreger agreed. The Warriors were in action at Madison on Wednesday.
“The Ohio High School Athletic Association gives us 10 coaching days before practice starts (on Aug. 1) and this is a good way to play in a competitive situation,” Kreger said. “Other sports have competitive environments during their off-seasons. Basketball has the AAU season and baseball has American Legion and other travel teams.
“These passing scrimmages have grown immensely in popularity over the past five or 10 years. Everywhere you look, somebody is hosting a 7-on-7.”
That includes colleges and universities. For some schools, passing scrimmages can be used as a recruiting tool.
“When universities get the kids on campus, they can stand back and watch them from afar and evalutate players,” Bradley said. “It’s also a chance for colleges to showcase their facilities. It’s a valuable resource for them, too.”
The Tygers, who were unbeaten during the regular season last year and advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs, looked sharp against elite competition Tuesday. Senior High beat Glenville and Westerville North, tied Massillon and lost to Trotwood-Madison in pool play. In the tournament, the Tygers fell to Glenville.
“Playing against competition like this does nothing but build our character,” said rising senior Asante’ Wilder, one of the holdovers from last year’s record-setting team. “It’s a blessing to get the opportunity to play against teams like this. These are some of the best teams in the state and that is where we want to be.”
For senior-to-be Mitch Nixon, a Division I college prospect as a tight end who will likely be Mansfield Senior’s quarterback this fall, Tuesday was a confidence builder.
“This keeps our eyes open to what is out there,” said Nixon, who also starred on Senior High’s defense last year and had an interception against Glenville on Tuesday. “We lost a lot of guys off last year’s team, but I believe we have the talent to fill those spots.
“Playing against these teams, it’s only going to help the younger guys. They see they can play with anybody.”
That’s the point, Bradley said.
“I wanted to see our kids get lined up, know their assignments and compete,” Bradley said. “That is why we host an event like this and that is why we bring in the teams we bring in.
“For us, it’s an opportunity to bring in some of the best players in Ohio and compete at a high level. If our guys can hang with these guys, then they start to realize they can play with anybody.”
Follow Curt Conrad on Twitter @curtjconrad.
“Playing against competition like this does nothing but build our character,” said rising senior Asante’ Wilder.
