Football Matters 7 v 7 Richland Tournament

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Greg Ricupero | June 20, 2023

Football Matters

Richland 7 v 7 Tournament

It was a beautiful day for Richland to host the tournament. The temperature was in the 80’s but there was a nice breeze at Herlinger Field. Fifteen schools made up the 16 team field. The three Indiana County coaches Brad Wright(Indiana), Matt Falisec(Purchase Line) and Kevin Marabito(United Valley) are opportunism about the upcoming season. Coach Wright in his second season is trying to rebuild a program that has been down for years. As an Indiana native, I’m excited to see to see the results. Indiana plays in Class 4A Section 2 of the WPIAL and co-ops with the Seeds of Faith school. United Valley Coach Marabito has over 100 career wins but is only in his second season of the United-Blacklick Valley co-op. The Lions who finished 4-6 but won their last three games will look to build on that strong finish. I’m looking for a good season from the Lions as their numbers grow. Purchase Line Coach Falisec team was also 4-6 last year. He has quarterback John Elick and receiver Jaylin Robertson returning. Both looked good in the scrimmages. Had a great time talking football with Coach Falisec.

It was a day of big play offense and back breaking interceptions. It was interesting to see teams that usually run the ball 90% of the time, spreading the field and passing the ball. Each team played two pool games than there was a 16 team single elimination bracket. All the first round losers got to play a consolation game, which guaranteed each team four games. Richland and Coach Bailey did a great job as usual hosting. There was a bad injury to one of the young men and the response time and action was excellent by the staff. The Lions and Red Dragons will battle in the expanded Heritage Conference.

Richland
Richland JV
Berlin
Bishop McCort-Carroll
Brockway
Central Cambria
Chestnut Ridge
East Allegheny
Hollidaysburg
Indiana
North Star
Portage
Purchase Line
Somerset
United Valley
Windber

-Bishop McCort-Carroll bought the whole team, their numbers are really up this year.

-Three Heritage Conference teams attended including the Portage Mustangs

-The new super conference LHAC had five of its 20 teams present.

-The WPIAL had two teams including East Allegheny.

-Three former WestPac teams who are now members of the ICC attended-Berlin, North Star and Windber

-Brockway represented D9 and Independent Hollidaysburg rounded out the field

Some pics of great catches… after all that’s why the quarterbacks look so good!

For more photos stop by the GREGORY RICUPERO SPORTS NETWORK ON FACEBOOK.

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