Lessons Learned: New Level Las Vegas 

LAS VEGAS -- The New Level Athletics 7on7 West Regional attracted a record 46 teams on Saturday and Sunday. Competition was fast and fierce and featured some of the top college prospects nationally. The Class of 2014 looks strong out West, and the event produced plenty more than just a look at a few dozen top players.

RecruitingNation writers Mitch Sherman and Erik McKinney attended the regional. Here are five things they learned:

1. 7-on-7 competitions still finding balance
The culture of 7-on-7 football has progressed rapidly over the past two years, but it remains a little rough around the edges. For evidence, see Sunday’s brawl that marred an early-round game between the Snoop Dogg All-Stars and BBT1. Both teams, composed primarily of Southern California players, were disqualified after a fight in the end zone spilled onto the sidewalk occupied by spectators at Charlie Frias Park. Event organizers moved swiftly and decisively, even as tempers continued to flare among a few parents and at least one player, who was noticeably over the line. Cordell Broadus, the son of hip-hop star and team sponsor Snoop Dogg, who watched from the sideline, and the son of fellow rapper Nate Dogg, Naijiel Hale, played on the team. The players don’t need distractions like the one that occurred Sunday. And neither does 7-on-7 football.

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