I think ability to play both club and high school ball depends entirely on the player and the location. For some people, it would involve burnout and the possibility of lower grades, but for others, it doesn't necessarily mean the same thing.
I played varsity soccer for Ashley Hall in 7th and 8th grades as well at Mount Pleasant - Hungryneck and while it involved an immense amount of running around and participation on my parents' parts, I enjoyed it up until the end half of the season and that was a result of my club coach, not burnout. (Granted, this was way back in 98-99/99-00)
Two days a week, I'd hitch a ride with one of the juniors or seniors to varsity practice, practice hard there until I had to leave 15-30 minutes early when my parents showed up. Then we'd drive from Johns Island to Patriots for my full club practice. High school games were on weekdays, so sometimes I'd miss a club practice for a game, but the only other time I had a conflict was during the Rotary Classic.
At this point, Ashley Hall didn't travel hardly except for the playoff games and I think, my 8th grade year at least, they returned to the playoffs after some long period, so this doesn't necessarily apply to much more active teams. But I started almost every game for Ashley Hall and would play much of the duration and played much of my club season until my coach decided that he didn't like me playing with another team. After that first year, I ended up playing U16 at Mount Pleasant so there was no conflict in 8th grade--my 12 year old mind had delusions of being a 6 year starter for the varsity and senior captain...excepting the part where I left for high school to BE and then to Wando.
At any rate, it is possible to play varsity as a 7th and 8th grader, but probably not for everyone. Doubling up was hard work, but in my situation it mostly worked out thanks to my school and our SCISA games and game times. Even for playing JV and club though, it takes an understanding of what you're getting into, both effort and time-wise, and coaches on both sides who understand and support what you're doing to enough of a degree that they won't needlessly punish you.
JV programs back when I was that age weren't big enough to attract players from Mount Pleasant at that age, so we were lucky not to have to face any team time conflicts. And I know that it's been a long time since I played and the rules have changed, but I wanted to point out that it is possible to do so, maybe not for many anymore without the perfect conditions, but it is.
