Jake's Take: Five takeaways from Mansfield Senior's 7 on 7 Tournament at Arlin Field

MANSFIELD — Football was back at Arlin Field and all seemed to be right in the world again.

Mansfield Senior hosted its ultra competitive 7 on 7 tournament on Tuesday morning as footballs were flying right in the heart of the city. There is nothing like football at Arlin Field.

I caught a majority of the action and had some takeaways. The only two local teams competing were Mansfield Senior and Crestview so I spent most of my time watching those two squads.

Here are five things I noticed.

1. Mansfield Senior's quarterback situation is evolving

On Tuesday, the Tygers ran with a two-quarterback rotation between juniors Braylon Patterson and Jordan Ferguson. Patterson started the first game and overcame an early interception to put together a solid performance. Ferguson got his chances and was impressive. I wouldn't say it is a quarterback controversy, but I would call it a very exciting competition.

Patterson is physically gifted. He has the size and strength to play the most important position in the city. He throws a good ball and has nice vision, but needs reps which is what he is going to get this summer. Ferguson plays with a different style. He is comfortable throwing on the run and has the athleticism to make some special passes. I like his speed and footwork a lot.

I am always intrigued by a two-quarterback system as long as both quarterbacks possess something the other doesn't. In this case, I think it could really work. Patterson is that strong pocket presence with a great head on his shoulders. He is said to be a 4.0 student. Ferguson brings mobility and the ability to extend plays which will come in handy. If he can make throws on the run and get his athletes the ball in space after the defense breaks down, the Tygers could be dangerous.

On Tuesday, they were fed right to the wolves and came out on the other side better.

"This is different for them," Mansfield Senior coach Chioke Bradley said. "We had a 7 on 7 against River Valley and Marion Harding and then we come right into this and it is a big change. Braylon Patterson did a wonderful job today and we will continue to rally behind him and Jordan Ferguson is figuring things out on the fly. We are extremely proud of those guys and their progression. We will grow with them."

2. Carter Goon made the catch of the day

The Crestview Cougars were by far the smallest team in the entire tournament. But that didn't stop them from competing and making some memorable plays. In the Cougars' first game of the day against Canton GlenOak, Carter Goon went up and over a defender snatching the ball basically off of the top of the defender's head for a touchdown. The play send the Cougars into a frenzy.

Crestview joined schools like Mansfield Senior, Glenville, Eastmoor Academy, Big Walnut, GlenOak, Springfield and Walnut Ridge in the tournament and they didn't back down for a second. They showed up overmatched and competed their tails off. If there is one team that got better on Tuesday, it was Crestview.

3. Ny Petty is going to be a problem

Some know the name. All are about to learn it. Mansfield Senior's super athletic senior wide receiver/defensive back Ny Petty was a problem on Tuesday morning. He was a deep threat catching multiple touchdown passes and made numerous plays defensively. Petty seems to have found a different gear after not playing much as a junior but he proved to everyone that he is ready to make the most of his senior year. He was the best player on the field in the Tygers' first three games. He seemed to raise to the occasion of playing against some very, very good competition.

Bradley left impressed with Petty as well as Nate Dismuke and Isaiah Darson.

"Those guys have grown leaps and bounds from where they were to where they are currently," Bradley said. "We are asking them to be leaders by example and show some of these other guys who haven't played as much football as them how to play at a high level. So far, they are doing very well. Ny and Nate, we expect that out of them. They have the talent and are recruit able athletes."

4. Cougars are going to be pretty darn good this year

The Cougars should be in the conversation for a Firelands Conference championship and beyond after what I saw Tuesday. The Cougars may not have won a game, but that was far from the point of them going to the tournament. Crestview, a Division VI school, played GlenOak (Division I), Walnut Ridge (Division II), Springfield (Division II and state runner-up the last three years) and Eastmoor Academy (Division IV) and they more than held their own. They nearly scored against Springfield and played each team extremely close.

But what really impressed me was how they played like they were playing a nameless opponent. It didn't matter how many Division I recruits were on the other side of the ball, they lined up and did the things they were working to do. I like Crestview to overcome the 4-7 season of 2023 and put together one heck of a 2024 campaign.

5. Everyone got better

It was one of the best collections of talent in the entire state which means every team that showed up to the Mansfield Senior 7 on 7 Tournament got better. Mansfield Senior, Glenville, Eastmoor Academy, Big Walnut, GlenOak, Crestview, Springfield and Walnut Ridge all put their best out on the field against each other and help each other prepare for the upcoming season that is just five short weeks away. That was the goal for Mansfield Senior coach Chioke Bradley.

"No. 1, it is great for this area," Bradley said. "Anytime you can bring this kind of talent to Richland County, it is a blessing. It is wonderful for our kids to see this type of speed, athleticism, quarterbacks and defensive schemes. It prepares your for later on in the season when you are trying to make a deep playoff run.

"Glenville is a two-time state champion and Springfield has been runner-up for three years. GlenOak is a great football team and Crestview is one of the best small-school programs in Richland County. Anytime you can compete against those type of coaches and programs, you cannot help but to get better."

jfurr@gannett.com

740-244-9934

X: @JakeFurr11

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's Take: Five takeaways from Mansfield Senior's 7 on 7 Tournament at Arlin Field