When you're the quarterback in a wishbone offense and you're invited to a passing camp, you can relate it to two things: Christmas in June or a kid locked in a candy store.

Greg Joyce has pinched himself so much, the Griffith QB has bruises to show for it.

"It's a huge treat -- it's like I really get to play quarterback for once," Joyce said, referring to the Adidas 7-on-7 passing tournament the Panthers will be competing in today and Saturday at the University of Notre Dame. "We just got back from a tournament in Terre Haute; I probably threw more there than I will all season."

Griffith, which captured a 16-team 7-on-7 passing tournament at Indiana State recently, is known for its potent wishbone running attack. But the Panthers have turned some eyes as of late, including last year's runner-up finish at Notre Dame, which included 48 teams. The Panthers went 10-2 last year during the two-day camp, including both losses to eventual champion Maine South, a Class 8A powerhouse in Illinois, and the state runner-up from 2003-05.

"We're going there to win it -- don't get me wrong -- but it's not like we're going into the (high school) football playoffs," said Griffith assistant coach Bo Radtke, who is running the team with his brother, Tyler. "The goal is to go in there and win it, but we want to have fun and work on some things, too."

Griffith will be joined at the camp by Chesterton, Valparaiso and LaPorte. Out of 39 teams in the field, only 14 are from Indiana. Teams as far away as Connecticut and Minnesota will be attending.

The tournament allows skill players a chance to refine their timing and work on chemistry before the high school season begins. The top two teams will have a chance to compete for the 7-on-7 national championship in Atlanta at the end of July.

Most teams will play four or five games today before Saturday begins with a seeded bracket based on today's results. Besides playing, the kids enjoy a nice rib dinner, hear Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis speak, and enjoy interactive games to challenge their football skills. One includes racing against Reggie Bush's 4.33-second 40-yard dash time.

Valpo coach Mark Hoffman said he's taking 52 kids to South Bend for the tournament. The Vikings just returned from a similar tournament in Bloomington where they got stuck in the bad weather and had to wait it out for four days in southern Indiana.

"Notre Dame is so close and they have a well-run 7-on-7," Hoffman said. "With no pads, helmets or bumping, it's made for the offense. However, it's good to see how kids react and how they look at things. Plus, it's fun playing someone else."