In 10 years, 7-on-7 high school football has grown from a summertime diversion to a statewide phenomenon.

This weekend, thousands of players and observers will converge on Texas A&M's intramural fields for the FSN Southwest 7-on-7 state tournament.

Since the first state tournament in 1998, participation has swelled to the point that nearly every high school, even those with traditional running offenses, fields a 7-on-7 team.

LOUIS DeLUCA / DMN

Duncanville quarterback Larry Miller is getting valuable experience for the fall, when his team will switch to a spread offense

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Tournaments attract big crowds. Recruiting Web sites track 7-on-7 performances and handicap the state tournament field.

For all the focus on 7-on-7 football, it doesn't guarantee success in 11-on-11 tackle football. Georgetown, last year's 7-on-7 champion, didn't make the playoffs in the fall.

Arlington Bowie and Arlington Lamar advanced to the 7-on-7 semifinals last summer. Bowie went on to a great fall season, losing to Euless Trinity in the state quarterfinals. Lamar finished 6-4 but did not make the playoffs.

Lamar coach Eddy Peach said 7-on-7 football, which is all passing, doesn't really suit his team's traditional, running offense. But he said there are other benefits, such as helping defenders learn coverage skills and the camaraderie from competing as a team.

"The spread offenses, do they get a little more from it? Yes," Peach said. "But there isn't any doubt in my mind it has been good for us."

Duncanville ramped up its emphasis on 7-on-7 as it transitions to new coach Jeff Dicus' spread passing system. Duncanville will make its first trip to the state 7-on-7 tournament.

Dicus said the experience has been valuable for quarterback Larry Miller.

"In the month of June, he has improved like I've never seen before as far as his accuracy and arm strength," Dicus said.

Arlington Bowie coach Kenny Perry said 7-on-7 football forces players to experience critical situations. Most 7-on-7 games are high-scoring, back-and-forth affairs. Many come down to the last play.

The experience of performing under pressure, Perry said, carried over to the fall.

"I could go back to certain games in 7-on-7 where we had to come back and win, or we had a big stop," Perry said.

"It might have been one or two kids that needed some confidence, that made plays that never had been counted on to do that. I think they realize, 'Golly, I did this in 7-on-7 in pretty much the same situation.' "

Plano quarterback Carson Meger said he can pick up on certain coverage matchups against 7-on-7 opponents he will see again in the fall.

"A team with a good number of athletes is going to do well in 7-on-7," Meger said. "It just depends on if those athletes can perform in pads, too."

The lack of contact is the ultimate dividing line between summer and fall football. And it's ultimately the reason 7-on-7 success doesn't always translate to 11-on-11 success.

"7-on-7 is easier than a real game, because you don't have anybody coming straight for you," Bowie quarterback Christian Matthews said. "We get excited about it, because we just love the game. But real football is more intense."

When: Thursday-Saturday

Where: Penberthy Intramural Fields, Texas A&M.

Division II (Classes 1A-3A, 64 teams): Pool play begins 1 p.m. today; championship at noon Friday at Kyle Field.

Division I (Classes 4A-5A, 32 teams): Pool play begins at 1 p.m. Friday; championship at 5 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field.

Division I: Arlington, Arlington Bowie, Arlington Lamar, Arlington Martin, Colleyville Heritage, Coppell, Denton Guyer, Duncanville, Garland, Garland Naaman Forest, Hebron, Mesquite, Plano, Plano West, Richland, Rockwall-Heath, South Garland, Wylie

Division II: Celina, Lovejoy, Melissa, Prosper