MONROE - Pecatonica-Argyle senior Alec Treuthardt understands that a 7-on-7 passing league tournament is much different than when football kicks off in the fall.
However, for a team like Pecatonica-Argyle, the popular 7-on-7 passing league tournament was a chance to find-tune some spread passing plays and compete in a championship against Walworth-Big Foot.
Pecatonica-Argyle went 6-1 in the tournament and finished second place in the gold bracket. The Vikings lost a thriller to Walworth Big Foot 30-29 in overtime Saturday.
"It really gets us used to running our routes," said Treuthardt, who scored two touchdowns in the championship game. "It helps the quarterback and the receivers get the timing. It helps us get in sync."
It didn't take Pecatonica-Argyle long to get in sync. The Vikings rolled past Ithaca 28-3 and defeated Monroe 11-1. Scoring included six points for touchdowns, one point for first downs and one point for interceptions. The tournament included 14 teams and didn't use linemen.
The Vikings beat Richland Center 17-3 and cruised past Wisconsin Heights. The Vikings knocked off Shullsburg 34-16 to reach the gold bracket where they defeated Madison East 17-3.
"It was fun playing against the other competition," Treuthardt said. "Seven-on-seven is good to see where we are at. It's not like tackle football. It will all come down to the linemen. If we have good strong linemen, we will be just fine."
The tournament was scheduled to be played in Blanchardville. However, it was moved to Monroe since McKellar Park is flooded. Pecatonica-Argyle coach Larry Green said the tournament raised about $2,500 for the Vikings' football program and will be used for equipment and football team needs.
"I'm not a fan of offense in 7-on-7 tournaments," Green said. "I think you get to work on your coverages more - man and zone coverages. It's more valuable for that. We just wanted to go out and compete, and if we won that was a bonus. I'm just glad (Monroe officials) allowed us to have it here."
Monroe finished the tournament 2-3. The Cheesemakers went 2-2 in pool play and then lost to Galena 32-15 in a silver bracket game. Monroe defeated Wisconsin Heights 10-1 and beat Richland Center 18-16. The Cheesemakers lost pool games to Shullsburg 12-11 and to Pecatonica-Argyle 11-1. There were just two passes completed combined in the first half against the Vikings due to a heavy rain.
It was the first competitive situation where the Cheesemakers were able to get a look at three quarterback candidates including Jake Flannery, Garrett Gogin and Jaron Kuester. The highlights for the Cheesemakers included Flannery's 37-yard pass to Forrest-Klug Hanson. On the next play, he hooked up with Hanson for a 3-yard TD pass. Gogin also connected with Charlie Kind on a 35-yard TD pass.
"It's important for these kids to get reps," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "Anyone who has a chance to play quarterback has to get reps. Most of them don't have varsity experience. It was an important day for these guys. It's not an evaluation day. It's just a chance for them to get out there and throw the football around. We have a lot of new players who haven't played on varsity before."
The Vikings got off to a hot start in the championship game against Big Foot. Pecatonica-Argyle quarterback Drew Schliem tossed a 13-yard TD to Christopher Severson. Pecatonica-Argyle's Tyler Henneman then came up with an interception to give the Vikings an 8-0 lead. Schliem threw a 23-yard TD pass to Henneman to give the Vikings a 15-0 lead.
The Chiefs stormed back behind quarterback Brett Morris, who tossed two touchdowns. Big Foot tight end Gus Wedig made a one-handed touchdown catch and dragged his foot before crossing the end line to tie the game at 16. The Vikings answered when Schliem hooked up with Treuthardt who made a leaping 20-yard TD catch to give the Vikings a 23-16 lead. Morris rallied the Chiefs, tossing a touchdown to Brandon Hauser as time expired.
In overtime, it didn't take long for the Vikings to strike. On the first play in the extra period, Schliem zipped a 20-yard TD pass to Treuthardt to give the Vikings a 29-23 lead. Morris connected with Hauser on a 17-yard TD pass to tie the game at 29. Morris then threw a conversion pass to Tim Long to give Big Foot its second straight title.
However, for a team like Pecatonica-Argyle, the popular 7-on-7 passing league tournament was a chance to find-tune some spread passing plays and compete in a championship against Walworth-Big Foot.
Pecatonica-Argyle went 6-1 in the tournament and finished second place in the gold bracket. The Vikings lost a thriller to Walworth Big Foot 30-29 in overtime Saturday.
"It really gets us used to running our routes," said Treuthardt, who scored two touchdowns in the championship game. "It helps the quarterback and the receivers get the timing. It helps us get in sync."
It didn't take Pecatonica-Argyle long to get in sync. The Vikings rolled past Ithaca 28-3 and defeated Monroe 11-1. Scoring included six points for touchdowns, one point for first downs and one point for interceptions. The tournament included 14 teams and didn't use linemen.
The Vikings beat Richland Center 17-3 and cruised past Wisconsin Heights. The Vikings knocked off Shullsburg 34-16 to reach the gold bracket where they defeated Madison East 17-3.
"It was fun playing against the other competition," Treuthardt said. "Seven-on-seven is good to see where we are at. It's not like tackle football. It will all come down to the linemen. If we have good strong linemen, we will be just fine."
The tournament was scheduled to be played in Blanchardville. However, it was moved to Monroe since McKellar Park is flooded. Pecatonica-Argyle coach Larry Green said the tournament raised about $2,500 for the Vikings' football program and will be used for equipment and football team needs.
"I'm not a fan of offense in 7-on-7 tournaments," Green said. "I think you get to work on your coverages more - man and zone coverages. It's more valuable for that. We just wanted to go out and compete, and if we won that was a bonus. I'm just glad (Monroe officials) allowed us to have it here."
Monroe finished the tournament 2-3. The Cheesemakers went 2-2 in pool play and then lost to Galena 32-15 in a silver bracket game. Monroe defeated Wisconsin Heights 10-1 and beat Richland Center 18-16. The Cheesemakers lost pool games to Shullsburg 12-11 and to Pecatonica-Argyle 11-1. There were just two passes completed combined in the first half against the Vikings due to a heavy rain.
It was the first competitive situation where the Cheesemakers were able to get a look at three quarterback candidates including Jake Flannery, Garrett Gogin and Jaron Kuester. The highlights for the Cheesemakers included Flannery's 37-yard pass to Forrest-Klug Hanson. On the next play, he hooked up with Hanson for a 3-yard TD pass. Gogin also connected with Charlie Kind on a 35-yard TD pass.
"It's important for these kids to get reps," Monroe coach Curt Miller said. "Anyone who has a chance to play quarterback has to get reps. Most of them don't have varsity experience. It was an important day for these guys. It's not an evaluation day. It's just a chance for them to get out there and throw the football around. We have a lot of new players who haven't played on varsity before."
The Vikings got off to a hot start in the championship game against Big Foot. Pecatonica-Argyle quarterback Drew Schliem tossed a 13-yard TD to Christopher Severson. Pecatonica-Argyle's Tyler Henneman then came up with an interception to give the Vikings an 8-0 lead. Schliem threw a 23-yard TD pass to Henneman to give the Vikings a 15-0 lead.
The Chiefs stormed back behind quarterback Brett Morris, who tossed two touchdowns. Big Foot tight end Gus Wedig made a one-handed touchdown catch and dragged his foot before crossing the end line to tie the game at 16. The Vikings answered when Schliem hooked up with Treuthardt who made a leaping 20-yard TD catch to give the Vikings a 23-16 lead. Morris rallied the Chiefs, tossing a touchdown to Brandon Hauser as time expired.
In overtime, it didn't take long for the Vikings to strike. On the first play in the extra period, Schliem zipped a 20-yard TD pass to Treuthardt to give the Vikings a 29-23 lead. Morris connected with Hauser on a 17-yard TD pass to tie the game at 29. Morris then threw a conversion pass to Tim Long to give Big Foot its second straight title.
