One of the first teams to join MidAmerica 7v7 Football, the Savages were founded in 2019 by Tom Petrie and Richard Carter, looking for a way for their kids and their friends to keep playing in the offseason. That original group of about 10 has remained the core of the Savages, now moving into the 18u level, while the organization itself has grown impressively through the years. With a total of 17 teams made up of over 200 athletes primarily from the Cedar Valley area, including 3 teams for girls flag football, the Savages continue to act as a pillar of 7v7 football in Iowa.
Improving their players’ skills and game knowledge is the team’s main focus, with 7v7 football in the spring being “absolutely instrumental” to player development. That being said, according to co-founder and coach Tom Petrie, “7v7 is not the end goal for the savages.” It’s all about making sure their players have the chance to continue to learn and grow in the off season, running offensive and defensive plays designed for tackle football, so that they can take those lessons with them into the fall.
With this focus on preparing young athletes for the regular season in the fall, the Savages aim to give their players the skills and confidence they’ll need to compete as varsity athletes at the high school level and beyond. With so many 7v7 teams under the Savages umbrella, they offer a variety of playstyles and focuses, ensuring every student can improve their game, no matter the position or skill level. They understand that needs and goals vary from student-to-student and team-to-team, and are able to offer options for players to find the best fit for them to grow.
Looking past high school, the Savages plan to play in tournaments hosted by or near colleges, in the hopes of familiarizing their players with the schools as well as giving them chances to be scouted. Upcoming events include the Little Apple Shootout, hosted by Kansas State University of March 21st and 22nd, as well as hosting their very own tournament, the Battle in the Valley, on June 13th in partnership with MidAmerica 7v7 Football.
The Savages are a team that have been a key part of the 7v7 football community since the very beginning, and will continue to be. The coaches and players of that original team have become a tight-knit group thanks to their playing together over years of off-seasons, and are a testament to the benefits of playing 7v7 football in the spring.
