The second annual KC Elite 7on7 tournament will be kicking off this weekend, with double the amount from a year ago.

The event, with high school football teams getting tuneups in July, will be held on six fields at Mill Valley High School. The tourney has grown from eight teams a year ago, to 16 this summer.

"It's a great chance for us to work on many things, especially with our skills guys, and see different teams," stated Mill Valley head coach Joel Applebee.

The names are big, with five state champions in the past two seasons in Mill Valley (twice), St. James Academy (twice), BV Northwest, Derby and Raymore-Peculiar. Plus perennial powerhouses in Blue Valley, Staley, Lawrence, Free State, Basehor-Linwood and others.

"The quality is great, and just makes everyone better before hitting it hard in practice," Applebee said.