Shootout of the South

In his weekly recruiting column, Dudley E. Dawson writes about how Arkansas commit Brandon Allen (6-3, 215) and Auburn commit Kiehl Frazier join Oklahoma prep star Barry Sanders, Jr., among the highlighted players at this weekend's sixth annual Shootout of the South 7-on-7 tournament in Little Rock. This story is free courtesy Fayetteville Autopark. Click the banner to learn more.

There are several great 7-on-7 football competitions during the summer in Arkansas, but the most prestigious gets underway today at some soccer fields in Little Rock.

The sixth annual Shootout of the South – featuring 24 teams from 4 states and the son of one of the greatest NFL players ever – kicks off at 11 a.m. at the Mighty Bluebird Soccer Fields.

Defending champion Fayetteville High – featuring University of Arkansas commits in quarterback Brandon Allen (6-3, 215) (who won last year’s Top Gun award at the event) and tight end Demetrius Dean (6-3, 260) – comes in expecting to contend for the title.

The Purple Bulldogs come into the Shootout fresh off a Harding University tournament win last weekend – the team’s third major 7-on-7 title in the past two seasons.

There will also be several other top quarterbacks on hand in Auburn commit Kiehl Frazier of Shiloh Christian, Dumas two-sport star Darion Griswold and El Dorado’s Taylor Reed, who has an offer from Arkansas State.

The most eye-catching name slated to be at the event is Heritage Hall’s Barry Sanders, Jr, who plays both running back and cornerback.

There are several top receivers slated to be on hand, including Warren 2012 prospect Jalen Cobb – who already has an offer from Arkansas –Baylor commit Jonathan Lee of Allen, Texas and Heritage Hall’s Sterling Sheppard, son of former Oklahoma and Dallas Cowboys wideout Derrick Sheppard.

Joining Fayetteville, Shiloh, Dumas and El Dorado as in-state participants are Central Arkansas Christian, Conway, Fountain Lake, Greenbrier, Lake Hamilton, Lakeside, Magnolia, Nashville, Little Rock Parkview, host Pulaski Academy, Rogers Heritage, Russellville and Watson Chapel.

The other two Oklahoma teams are from Stigler and Afton while Pineville (LA) Cenla Christian Academy will also be on hand.

There is pool play all day Friday before Saturday brings about bracket competition.

Fayetteville and Shiloh Christian – who have always had heated 7-on-7 competions the past few years – are now slated to play each other in pool play, but are likely to run up against each other before the weekend is over.

That would feature the first battle between good friends Allen and Frazier since both committed to differing SEC schools.

The championship game is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

The Mighty Bluebird Soccer Fields are located at 6800 Pinnacle Valley Road, which is off Highway 10 (Cantrell).

Admission to the tournament is $5 per car each day.







Brandon Allen