I think we all really enjoyed the season and we’re excited to see how this experience might positively impact the players’ understanding of the Blazers offensive and defense schemes,”

Ryan Kramer

TORRINGTON – Summer feels like it only arrived this week with higher temperatures settling in, baseball and softball tournaments over the weekend and the first local swim meet the previous week.

Fall and football are still a long way off. For the dedicated members of the Torrington High School Blazers varsity squad, though, the warmer weather of spring and summer provides opportunities to hit the gridiron, practice field or weight room and dust off those skills in preparation for a successful fall season.

In addition to the usual camps, team-building exercises and other offseason activities, the Blazers went a step further this spring, joining a 7-on-7 football program organized by Elite Youth Sports in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Goshen County’s inaugural 7-on-7 squad consisted of 10 players from the Blazers varsity team coached by Ryan Kramer. Kramer’s roster included incoming THS seniors Brady Dagen, Holden Hackett and Colby Sandusky, along with juniors Jayden Gross, Drew Kramer, Beau Martinez, Xavier Sanchez and Zeek Yung and sophomores Garrett Hager and Brandt Eichenberger.

The learning curve for 7-on-7 football proved a to be steep. Traveling to Fort Collins and scheduling games during the busy spring season was also a challenge. True to form, the Blazers put their noses to the grindstone and went from posting a 0-4 record at the opening tournament of the season in March to advancing to the quarterfinals at the finals in Fort Collins on June 1.

“I think we all really enjoyed the season and we’re excited to see how this experience might positively impact the players’ understanding of the Blazers offensive and defense schemes,” coach Kramer said. “Hopefully it pays dividends on the field this fall.”

A whole new ballgame

Seven-man football hit the sports scene in the 1990s and early 2000s to provide players a chance to hone their skills on passing offenses and defensive coverage, coach Kramer remarked.

The sport centers around developing speed and accuracy on the passing game rather than an emphasis on rushing or tackling. There are no linemen in 7-on-7 football and it is nominally a “non-contact” sport, though there was plenty of action on the field.

The 7-man offense consists of a quarterback, one or two running backs and three to four wide receivers. A 7-man defense typically contains two safeties, two corners and three linebackers or “hybrid” defensive backs, Kramer added.

Touchdowns are worth six points in 7-on-7 football and teams can earn PATs – a one-point conversion from plays launched from five yards or two points for 10-yard plays. There is no kicking game, however, and the defense can collect two points for successful interceptions.

Games are played on half a standard football field – 40 yards long and 50 yards wide.

A steep learning curve

The primary purpose of 7-man football is to provide a “training tool or competitive showcase” for players and is not intended to replace full football games, Kramer explained. 

While 7-on-7 football in some ways resembles the traditional 11-man format, 7-man “is its own beast,” Kramer said.

“To put it in perspective, (7-on-7 football) is a bit like the difference between playing AAU (club) basketball in the summer versus a high school basketball season – similar but with its own unique challenges and style of play,” Kramer explained.

Offensive strategies for 7-man football center on “speed and precision” in running pass plays, Kramer added. The defense posed more of a challenge.

“We worked hard to implement as many components of the THS Blazers’ defensive system as possible,” Kramer said. “Of course, in a 7-on-7 format, every team passes on every down – something we will never face during the regular high school season. So our defensive approach was built around keeping everything in front of us and preventing big plays over the top.”

THS head football coach Russell Stienmetz and offensive coordinator Robb Nicolay stepped up to share the Blazers’ up-to-date calling schemes with the 7-on-7 program.

“Their guidance really helped prepare the boys (on the 7-on-7 team) for the fall season and gave them a chance to apply real concepts they’ll see under Friday night lights,” Kramer remarked. “I really appreciate (Stienmetz and Nicolay’s) support during the spring 7-on-7 season since I was completely out of my comfort zone.”

Players also took on a significant role in running their own offenses and defenses on game day.

“The boys did a great job of calling their own defensive plays and formations,” Kramer said. “When we were in the huddle on offense, they would regularly call out their own ideas for plays.”

Learning the new format for 7-on-7 football was an uphill fight, but one the Blazers were willing to tackle. The Blazers squared off against a variety of teams at the 7-man tournaments. Some teams resembled the Blazers’ squad – they associated with a high school and were primarily organized as an off-season opportunity for the regular fall football varsity lineup. Other teams were formed as club sports specializing in 7-in-7 football year-round.

“While we focused on development within the framework of our fall season schemes, we were often playing against teams built specifically to win in the 7-on-7 setting,” Kramer said. “That made for some great learning experiences. I’m proud of how our boys adapted and competed.”

A community effort

Ryan Kramer learned about 7-on-7 football from friends, family and other football parents. He also heard about the sport while attending football camps with his son, Drew.

Kramer’s wife, Stacy, came across a 7-on-7 football league through Elite Youth Sports and the idea to form a local team was hatched. 

Drew Kramer reached out to friends on the Blazers football team and 10 fellow players ultimately signed up. Coach Stienmetz gave his blessing, agreeing the 7-on-7 league offered a “great opportunity” to his players.

Stacy Kramer supported the team by organizing uniforms and scheduling. The Football 101 program, led by Kendra Stienmetz and Tara Nicolay, sponsored the team’s entrance to the first tournament and purchased uniforms. Kelly Groene of GroBusiness Solutions also assisted in the uniform ordering.

The 7-on-7 tournaments took place in several storied football venues in Colorado. On March 30, the season opened with games at the Empower Field at Mile High in Denver.

“It was a great experience to play in an NFL stadium and get that opportunity to see our boys feel what it was like to step onto the field in a stadium that size,” coach Kramer said.

The final season tournament took place at Colorado State University’s Canvas Stadium, home of the Rams. 

“It was a neat experience for the boys, but it did take some adjusting to all that green and gold – we kept looking around for brown and gold,” Kramer noted.

Kramer gave a shoutout to Elite Youth Sports for accommodating a team from several hours away in Wyoming. 

Kramer also expressed gratitude to THS coaches Stienmetz and Nicolay:

“I truly appreciated their support throughout the season. Anything we needed or any questions I asked, they were there to support us.”

The biggest thanks went to the parents of the players on the team.

“Whether it was bringing water, Gatorade or just cheering loud from the sidelines, the parents were there for us every step of the way,” Kramer said. “It really shows the close-knit, supportive community we’re lucky to be a part of.”