Seven-on-seven football catches on at D.C. area high schools

High school seven-on-seven passing leagues, not long ago considered a brand of glorified backyard football, have become potentially big business, with at least four groups vying to establish national seven-on-seven passing tournaments.

The latest is 7 on 7 University, run by Northern Virginia businessman Jim Boone and Oakton football Coach Joe Thompson. This spring they have organized a series of seven-on-seven weekend qualifying tournaments in the Washington area that will culminate with 16 teams vying for a championship Sunday at Oakton High School.

Boone said his league has signed a partnership with a football camp company and will conduct qualifying tournaments in 27 additional markets next year, including Chicago, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, Atlanta, Orlando and four California cities, with a national passing league championship to take place in Washington next summer. read more >