SUMMER PREPS: ACA, Tallassee work out kinks in 7-on-7 camp
With ACA offensive coordinator Tommy Shoemaker looking on, quarterback Christian Snipes looks for an open receiver in the recent 7-on-7 workouts at Alabama Christian Academy. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
Alabama Christian went through its third and final 7-on-7 workout of the summer, feeling a little better about its offense and a little worse about its intensity.
The Eagles battled Tallassee, Loachapoka, Linden and Verbena in the three-hour workout, putting on an effective offensive workout early before fizzling late.
“I thought we started well, we did not finish well, and that’s something we addressed with the players,” ACA coach Michael Summers said. “When we got tired, we acted like we were the only team that was tired. It doesn’t matter (that it was a hot day). It was not five degrees cooler on the other sideline or the other side of the field. We’ve got to do a better job handling that.”
For senior quarterback Christian Snipes, it was another opportunity to experience new offensive coordinator Tommy Shoemaker’s scheme.
“It’s a lot different in some ways,” Snipes said. “It was a transition for sure. I got used to the offense I was running with coach (J.L.) Dockins. With Coach ‘Shoe,’ he made sure I understood everything I needed to do. And I asked a lot of questions, so it’s been a smooth transition so far.
“Today, for sure, I felt way more comfortable than I have in the past 7-on-7’s. I feel like we’re going to take a big step after this 7-on-7.”
Summers emphasized the ACA offense isn’t designed like the wide-open styles employed in 7-on-7 workouts but he was pleased at what he saw on Wednesday.
“I thought we threw the deep ball a lot better today,” he said. “I thought we threw the deep ball pretty well last year but we have not, so far, this summer. I felt like we threw it a lot better today today. Chris threw a much better deep ball today. He did look a lot more comfortable today. He still doesn’t have his two best receivers out there. It’s probably been hard for him to get into a rhythm.”
ACA has practiced this summer without tight end Jackson Burton and receiver Bryson Dabney, who are continuing to rehab from injuries.
Tallassee coach Lawrence O’Neal, meanwhile, said the 7-on-7 work allows his team to build depth for the upcoming season.
“We’ve got a good core of receivers coming back but we’re going to need some guys that are going to be able to get out there and spell some guys because we’ve got three guys playing both ways,” O’Neal said. “Early in the season, with that heat beating down on you, you don’t want to spend it all on one side of the ball so we’ve got to find some depth.”
The Tigers went from worst to first last year in the regional rankings, earning a playoff berth and nine wins under O’Neal in his first season. The Tallassee coach shrugged off any preseason expectations for the Tigers this fall.
“We’re a little bit stronger, a little bigger than we were last year,” O’Neal said. “The kids came in with a really good attitude and didn’t get complacent because they know what we did last year was last year. You’ve got to do it every year. You’ve got to be consistent.”
The 7-on-7 was the final workout session for Alabama Christian this summer. The Eagles will open fall practice on July 28 and hold a spring jamboree at home against Autauga Academy on Aug. 15 before opening the season the following Friday at Lee-Scott Academy.
Tallassee will open the 2025 season at home against Montgomery Academy on Aug. 22.