“The main message is stressing what we have in common over what divides us,” said Jim Place, who like event co-chair Al Powell has a long history as coach and mentor in the area. “We feel through football, ‘Contact builds acceptance.’”
The first MVFCA Social Justice 7 on 7 was held last year and included 24 teams.
“We’re hoping by bringing together diverse teams, there’s a chance to meet someone and perhaps exchange some thoughts with someone who’s from a different area than your own,” Powell told this news organization prior to the inaugural event. “Maybe they’ll even have a chance to get someone’s name and even a phone number. It’s all about expanding your horizon, expanding your village.”
The 2022 edition is scheduled to include some of the largest schools in the state — Cincinnati St. Xavier, Fairfield, Hamilton and Centerville — all with more than 1,000 boys each as well as some of the smallest — Arcanum (133 boys), Tri-Village (106) and Sidney Lehman (63).
Middletown and multiple schools from Dayton and Springfield are also set to take part in the event, which is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with the last games slated to start at 4 p.m.
Multiple Detroit high schools will be represented along with schools from Columbus, Cincinnati and Lima, and there is a hope it will attract college recruiters as well.
Place said the teams will play 7 on 7 in groups of four for two hours at Chaminade Julienne High School or the University of Dayton football practice field then go to UD Arena for a one-hour social justice seminar.
“UD has really stepped up and let us use the Boesch Lounge at the arena and their practice football field,” Place said.
Here is a full list of teams set to take part:
Alter, Piqua, Franklin, Columbus Bishop Hartley, Trotwood-Madison, Bellbrook, Springboro, Northmont, Arcanum, Ponitz, Northridge, Sidney Lehman, West Carrollton, Thurgood Marshall, Kenton Ridge, Norwood, Oakwood, Tri-Village, Meadowdale, Urbana, Eaton, Hamilton, Miamisburg, Detroit Southeastern, Centerville, Valley View, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Middletown, Beavercreek, Stebbins, Lima Senior, Chaminade Julienne, Fairfield, Cincinnati WintonWoods, Springfield, Wayne, Detroit Renaissance, Butler, Dunbar and Belmont.
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