Wildcats battle weather, see promise at MTSU 7-on-7
Oak Ridge High School’s football team made a long trek to Murfreesboro on Friday to compete in the Middle Tennessee State University 7-on-7 tournament.
Despite inclement weather cutting the event short, Wildcats Coach Derek Rang found plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
“We were the fourth seed coming out of pool play; we played some good teams,” Rang said. “We played Omaha Central out of Nebraska, Shelbyville Central, Mt. Juliet Christian and Pearl-Cohn.
“So we saw some really good competition, and I think it went pretty well,” he said. “We took 20 players down there and played them all. The guys got a lot of work in and plenty of reps against strong competition.”
After dropping a game in bracket play, Oak Ridge bounced back with a victory before storms ended the day.
“We lost our first tournament game and then came back and beat Germantown,” Rang said. “Then a big storm rolled in, and we decided to hit the road.”
The Wildcats were efficient on offense behind returning talent.
Quarterback Blaine Stansberry, a four-year starter, led a group that also included four-star tight end Malik Howard, Miami University commit Will Pressley at wide receiver, and returning receiver Ja’Rell Jimmerson.
“Offensively, we moved the ball up and down the field and didn’t have any drops,” Rang said. “All of those guys played well.”
Defensive lineups in 7-on-7 can be unpredictable, but Oak Ridge used the format to give players valuable playing time.
“We played a lot of guys on defense,” Rang said. “Sometimes we had safeties playing linebacker, but the big thing is getting guys reps against good competition.”
The Wildcats will continue preparations for the 2025 season this week.
They’re scheduled to compete in another 7-on-7 session at Fulton High School in Knoxville on Thursday, weather permitting.
“We’ll have workouts this week, and we’re scheduled to throw with Fulton on Thursday,” Rang said.
“But it’s supposed to rain, so I’ll call and see if it’s still on,” he said.
