In a defensive battle to the finish, Straughn beat Samson 12-10 in the finals of its annual 7-on-7 football tournament Thursday night.

SHS had to play its B-team in the semifinals to get to the championship game, Tigers coach Trent Taylor said.

“It was a really tight ball game,” Taylor said about the semifinals. “I was really proud of both sides. They competed very well.”

Taylor said despite the fact that his team doesn’t utilize the passing game a whole bunch during the season, the kids did well competing in the 7-on-7 format.

“You hear a lot of coaches say when we are in the 7-on-7 formation, that throwing the football obviously is not the scheme of our offense,” he said. “The fact of the matter is that anytime your kids compete, you want them to compete to win. Our kids did a great job of that last night.”

When the final whistle was blown, Taylor said his favorite moment of the day came in the form of a quote from his quarterback, Chase Short.

“We were walking off with the kids and Chase Short was standing there, and said ‘it’s time to get back to veer and mid line, coach,'” Taylor said. “He’s right, it’s time to get back to it.”

Veer and mid line are typical formations heard at fall practice.

In other local action, Andalusia’s A-team beat Excel in the first round, and the Bulldogs fell to Samson in the quarterfinals to get put out.

Florala beat Andalusia’s B-team in the first round, and then the Wildcats fell to Georgiana in the quarterfinals.

Pleasant Home lost to Straughn’s B-team in the first round, but beat McKenzie and Excel to win the consolation bracket.

Fall football practice for Alabama High School Athletic Association member teams begins Mon., Aug. 6.