Last year, Miramar and Boyd Anderson joined Blanche Ely as teams invited to the prestigious Heath Evans 7-on-7 Tournament in West Palm Beach. All three teams did well with the Boyd Anderson Cobras making it to the championship game.

With school out for the summer, the first major 7-on-7 event will take place this Saturday as Heath Evans and his impressive tournament has brought together some of the top teams from across the state.

Leading a star-studded list of 16 teams include BCAA powers Miramar and Boyd Anderson, which head north with plenty of talent.

For Miramar and head coach Damon Cogdell, it's a chance for the defending 6A state champions to compete against a field that Evans, a starting fullback for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, picked for this quality tournament.

The Patriots are once again loaded, and a top four finish last year, set the tone for the best season in school history.

The prestigious 7-on-7 tournament this Saturday will have an extra added incentive. The tournament that bears Evans' name was asked to partner with the USA Today 7ON7 National Tournament.  

Because of the partnership, the winner of the fifth annual Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championships earns a trip to the USA Today 7ON7 National Tournament June 26-27 in Williamsburg, Virginia. 

It is the only qualifying tournament in Florida for the 10-team USA Today 7ON7.
The invitation-only Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7, which will be held on Saturday (June 12) at The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach, features five reigning state champions and more than 50 major college prospects.  

“Being a qualifier for the USA Today 7ON7 is a testament to the quality of our event,” said Evans, who is entering his 10th NFL season and second with the Saints. “We are proud to constantly provide a tournament for some of the best high school players in the country to showcase their talent.” 

In addition to Miramar, there will be four other  reigning state champions – Tampa Plant (5A), Dwyer (4A), American Heritage-Delray (1A) and Glades Day (1B) – who are joined by finalists Miami-Belen Jesuit (Class 3A) and Glades Central (2A).

Other top teams include defending champion Booker T. Washington of Miami and Daytona Mainland. Host King’s Academy, Park Vista, Olympic Heights, Homestead South Dade, Miami Carol City, Royal Palm Beach and John I. Leonard round out the field.

The Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championships, presented by Hulett Environmental, is open to the public. Tickets are $5 person and available at the gate. There is also a KidZone, which includes bounce houses and football throwing games. The King’s Academy is located at 8401 Belvedere Road, approximately one mile east of 441.

Proceeds from this tournament will benefit the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Heath Evans Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering hope and healing in the lives of children and families affected by sexual abuse. It is committed to breaking the cycle of abuse through healing the psychological, physical, and spiritual wounds inflicted on innocent children; to bring hope and healing to the young victims of sexual abuse. 

For information on the Heath Evans Foundation 7-on-7 Championships, visit www.HeathEvans.org.
 
Past Champions:
2009 – Booker T. Washington
2008 – Jupiter Christian
2007 – Pahokee
2006 – Glades Central


You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.