Madison County Red Raiders

Reprinted from the Madison County Journal May 24, 2007 edition

by BEN MUNRO

The field is just 40 yards long.

You’ve got to move 20 yards to get a first down.

And the game is one-hand touch—below the neck and above the belt.

But it’s a form of football – passing league—and it’s how Madison County will fill the summer months before team camp starts.

“I think the kids enjoy it,” Raider head coach Randell Owens said.

Madison County starts its passing league schedule Tuesday, the first of eight dates. The schedule runs through July 24.

“It’s not as intense. It’s laid-back, but it gets competitive, like all things,” Owens said.

Passing league pits seven players from one high school against seven from another to hone skills in throwing, catching and pass defense.

Of course, rules are altered, like the length of the field and first down yardage. Other regulations are thrown in, like a four-second rule for quarterbacks. Since there’s no pass rush, a limit is set on how long a signal-caller has to get the ball off.

Also, the defense can earn points for a team with interceptions.

“We try to modify the rules to make it a little bit, somewhat competitive,” Owens said.

But most importantly, the league allows football players to keep their thoughts on football at least one night of the week during the summer while a host of other things are going on—jobs, family vacations, summer lifting and obligations to other sports.

“You’ve got to be mindful that the kids are trying to make their summer money,” Owens said. “A lot of our kids are multi-sport athletes. And I tell the other coaches, if you’ll just give me Tuesday night, I’ll give you the other six.

So Owens has designated Tuesday evening for pass league.

Madison County is in a “league” with two other schools, Oglethorpe County and Oconee County. A third opponent is needed.

Passing league caters to skill position players.

Quarterbacks, obviously, get their work in while receivers work on catching the ball and sharpening their routes.

But it’s just as beneficial for a defense, especially for a team that might see its share of passing-oriented teams in the fall.

With cornerbacks and safeties constantly tested during passing league games, coaches have plenty of chances to assess skill level in the secondary.
“It’s a great teaching time,” Owens said.

With Madison County players only seeing action on one side of the ball during spring football, passing league gives coaches a chance to put players on the opposite side of the ball.

Even in passing league games, Owens has seen players showcase potential that he and coaches might not have seen during the spring.

“You pick up on things like how well as kid learns,” he said.