Piedmont, AL – Handley tops Spring Garden in finals for second year in a row in annual Piedmont 7-on-7 tournament.
By Shannon Fagan
Handley continued what’s become its rite of summer … winning the Piedmont Passing Camp.
The Tigers beat Spring Garden 30-14 in the finals of Saturday’s day-long, 10-team 7-on-7, winning the tournament for the fifth time under current head coach Larry Strain and fourth year in a row.
The Tigers did it this year while replacing key offensive skill players, including starting quarterback Cannon Kyles. Cordan Patterson stepped into that role and got Class 4A Handley over the top at Piedmont this year.
“We only had a total of six returning guys that played any last year,” Strain said. “They key was losing Cannon Kyles and Cordan Patterson having to step in at quarterback.
“Cordan has really progressed. He has improved tremendously, which we knew he could throw the ball pretty well last year.”
Spring Garden made it to the final for the second year in a row, both under second-year head coach Barrett Ragsdale. The Class 1A Panthers were the smallest team at the 10-team field.
They proved they can play with the bigger schools, defeating Class 3A Ohatchee in the semifinals.
“I am super proud of the fight our guys showed today,” Ragsdale said. “It was a long hot day,, and we never quite put ourselves in a great position to wholesale sub. Six of the seven on the field played on both sides of the ball, so the mental toughness to play and compete in seven games is something we can hang our hats on moving forward.”
Ragsdale noted the play of tight end John Welsh and quarterback Noah Barber.
“John Welsh had an outstanding day and came up big in several games on both sides of the ball,” Ragsdale said. “Noah Barber was very efficient passing and going with what the defense gave him. He did a really good job of spreading the ball around besides John to Connor Bates, Zane Edwards, Johnny Baker and Lucas McGatha.”
Handley opens the 2024 regular season Aug. 23 at home against Central-Clay. Spring Garden opens the at home against Class 2A Sand Rock.
Spring Garden quarterback Noah Barber looks for receivers during Saturday’s Piedmont Passing Camp. (Photo by Shannon Fagan/For East Alabama Sports Today)
