PEABODY — Ahead of Friday night lights and proper September kickoffs, high school football players from 40 schools will play in Saturday’s Northeast 7v7 East Regional Tournament at Bishop Fenwick. The action begins at 10 a.m. featuring open and small divisions.
It’s a day-long marathon with teams attempting to survive pool play and advance to elimination rounds. This year’s local teams are Peabody, Bishop Fenwick, KIPP Academy, Lynnfield, Lynn Tech, Revere, St. Mary’s, Swampscott, and Winthrop.
Other registered teams are Andover, Arlington, Barnstable, Buckingham Browne and Nichols, Brockton, Governor’s Academy, Lincoln-Sudbury, Lowell, Masconomet Regional, Methuen, Needham, North Andover, North Quincy, Reading Memorial, St. George’s School, Weymouth, Winchester, Woburn, Xaverian Brothers, Bedford, Danvers, Duxbury, Gloucester, Greater Lawrence Tech, Pembroke Academy (N.H.), Somerville, St. Bernard’s, Trinity (N.H.), Wakefield, and Wilmington.
Dave Woods, Fenwick’s longtime football coach, said it’s “always a great day” in Peabody.
“We’ve hosted the event for more years than I can remember,” he said. “There are a lot of talented kids from a lot of schools and it’s just great to see football on campus in July.”
Despite players wearing T-shirts instead of jerseys — no tackling, pads, or helmets — there is plenty of competition as players show off their newly-polished games.
“The players are excited to compete against other teams and build on the cohesion,” said Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta.
Lowell won last year’s open division with a 20-12 victory against Woburn. Before a late touchdown sealed it, Lowell stopped Woburn’s two-point attempt that would’ve tied the game.
St. Mary’s won the small division title with a 28-15 triumph against Greater Lowell. It was the Spartans’ second title in three years. Last summer’s standouts were Yaniel Belliard, Sam Phelps, Rowan Merryman, Michael Sherman, and Jimmy Jennings.
There will be a concession stand serving breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, water, Gatorade, and more.
For more game history and Saturday’s field map, visit the Northeast 7v7 website.
