Gallatin football tests its passing skills in 7-on-7 tournaments

Cecil Joyce
Nashville Tennessean

The Gallatin football team relied heavily on all-state running back Jordan Mason last season.

With the Mr. Football runner-up graduated and now at Georgia Tech, the Green Wave will have big shoes to fill at the running back position.

Gallatin may also look to go to the air a little more in 2017.

Gallatin senior quarterback Collin Minor fires a pass during a 7-on-7 battle at Smyrna Tuesday.

The Green Wave got to test their passing attack this week, playing in a four-team 7-on-7 workout at Smyrna Tuesday and hosting a 7-on-7 tournament Saturday.

"It's very important to us," said Gallatin coach Mark Williams. "It's an opportunity to compete as a team and work on our passing game."

Mason left behind 2,059 yards and 23 touchdowns to replace. He carried the ball 259 times, taking a brunt off the offensive load.

He graduated owning the school’s single-game rushing record (307 yards), all-time career rushing record (4,523 yards) and regular-season rushing yardage record (2,050).

If Gallatin turns more to its passing attack, the Green Wave will have experience back in senior Collin Minor.

The 5-9, 170-pounder threw for 888 yards and 13 touchdowns a season ago.

"We don't pass a ton, but we want to be good at it when we do," said Williams. "We're starting to see things come together."

Minor and fellow QBs Ander Sloan and Isaiah Briscoe all got ample work at Smyrna's workout. While Minor is the incumbent behind center, Williams pointed out that it's a three-player competition for the job.

Gallatin's Ethan Green runs after a catch during a 7-on-7 battle at Smyrna Tuesday.

Other players who performed well at Smyrna included receivers Sirtavious Perry (a transfer from Station Camp), and Xavier Fitts, while Williams commended the play of 6-1, 220-pound Jalen Porter on both offense and defense.

"I thought the guys did a good job on both sides of the ball," Williams said. "It was a good team effort."

Gallatin will compete in Region 6-5A in 2017. The Green Wave, which finished 6-5 last year, will open the season Aug. 18 at home against Springfield.