Mavs sharpen skills at Heupel 7-on-7
Anderson County High School’s passing league squad had a full day competing at the 2025 Josh Heupel University of Tennessee 7-on-7 tournament last Thursday. Pictured are seniors Yashan Campbell and Reese Russell.
The Mavericks competed at the 2025 Josh Heupel University of Tennessee 7-on-7 Tournament in Knoxville, facing off against some of the top programs in the Southeast.
Veteran ACHS Coach Davey Gillum uses spring and summer practices to acclimate new players to the program’s culture.
He said he sees 7-on-7 competition as a prime opportunity to build chemistry and help players adjust to new roles.
“These things are important; this is the difference between being good and being awful,” said Gillum, who has led the Mavericks to eight consecutive region championships and the 2022 Class 4A state title.
“It’s good to get reps against air and against each other, but it’s always better to get reps against high-level competition, because it forces us to execute better,” he said.
Anderson County, which went 11-2 in 2024 and reached the Class 4A state semifinals, graduated several key players including quarterback Landen Hensley; receivers and defensive backs Trent Strickland and Israel Small; running back Waylon LaRue; and wide receiver Riley Wolfenbarger.
Freshman JD Gillum, the coach’s son, is expected to take over at quarterback and will play a vital role in helping the team gel.
“A new quarterback does a lot to help build chemistry, and the relationship between coach and quarterback is big — whether it’s a freshman or a first-year senior like we’ve had in recent years,” Coach Gillum said. “You’ve got to have good players; that’s the first thing. But if you don’t have chemistry, and people don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing, that doesn’t do you any good.”
Gillum said he’s pleased with how his team has responded early in the summer and praised JD’s understanding of the offense.
“I’m really pleased with the boys and where they are right now,” he said. “It’s early, and we’ve got a long way to go and a lot of work to do. I saw some good things, and I saw things we need to improve on.
“JD is young, but he’s played a lot of football. He probably knows the playbook better than anybody. We’re all really pleased with him in every phase.”
Summer workouts began recently, but time is already moving quickly. The Mavericks open the 2025 season at Powell on Aug. 22 before hosting Knoxville Catholic the following week.
“We’ll have 7-on-7 for the next two weeks and then we’re at the dead period already,” Gillum said. “When we get back, we’ll have morning practices and midday 7-on-7s. Then it’s fall camp, we’re in pads, and getting ready to play good 5A and 6A football teams. It all goes so fast.”
