The Benefit of Summer 7-on-7 Football In South Jersey

During the month of July, West Deptford High School has hosted a highly competitive 7-on-7 high school football league with a approximately a quarter of all the teams from the area participating.

West Deptford head coach John Emel runs the league, which consists of 20 teams, representing 19 high schools. (Rancocas Valley has two teams in the league).

On Wednesday (July 29) West Deptford will host both the semifinals and finals. The semifinals begin at 6 p.m., with the final to follow.

Here are the semifinal matchups

West Deptford (11-0) vs. Camden Eastside (9-1-1).

Paulsboro (10-1) vs. Rancocas Valley (10-1).

Granted, 7-on-7 is a far cry from high school football, but this is a good way for a team’s skill players to work together toward a competitive goal.

“This league really helps the skill players,” said Paulsboro coach Kevin Harvey, whose team is coming off a 9-2 mark during the 2025 high school season. “It is also a great way to develop camaraderie.”

The 7-on-7 league is especially helpful for teams that are looking to break in a new quarterback. Paulsboro is one of those teams.

Malakhai McKenzie graduated after throwing for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushing for 324 yards and another five scores last season for the Red Raiders.

Paulsboro, as usual, is expected to field a competitive team, but one of the keys will be quarterback play. The battle appears to be between junior Jahsir Johnson and freshman Jiyayre Thomas.

Both have taken turns guiding the Paulsboro offense this summer. Last week during two playoff games, the two quarterbacks would alternate every series, and both looked effective.

In addition, the 7-on-7 really showcases the skills of receivers. One talented receiver who has continued to make big plays all summer is Camden Eastside sophomore Preston Brown, Jr. Last year Brown had 21 receptions for 220 yards and one touchdown.

“He is a player,” said Eastside coach Melik Brown, who also happens to be Preston’s uncle.

In addition, the Tigers should have one of the more impressive passing attacks, led by senior quarterback Naeem Dale, who last year passed for 1,113 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Tigers passing game should be prolific, but as with many teams, the key will be how the offensive line performs. That is the one thing that 7-on-7 can’t help.

Still, there is a major benefit for the quarterbacks and receivers getting on the same page.

For teams like West Deptford, this final week on the 7-on-7 season is a chance to put an exclamation point on a successful summer.

The Eagles will be having a new starting quarterback after the graduation of Brady Cobb. Senior Tim Holmes, the backup last year to Cobb, has been running the offense this summer.

“He’s been good,” West Deptford’s Emel said of Holmes.

Entering the semifinal of the West Deptford league, the Eagles were 23-4 after competing in tournaments at Monmouth, West Chester and a tourney at their own school in addition to the league.

Yes, 7-on-7 success doesn’t always translate to the same in the high school season, but the teams are keeping score for a reason and if anything, these summer leagues help increase the competitive level of any team involved, especially those who have reached the final four.