Top Performers from Palm Beach Fire 7-on-7 Open Run
Photos Credits by Andy Villarreal & Erick Marrero
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Florida Fire 7-on-7 football program founder and administrator Dennis Marroquin -- has seen his Fire grow into a national brand over the years -- capturing both the IMG and Pylon National Championship.
The perks of wearing the red and white colors are endless. Six coaches have appeared in state finals, battle sponsorship, strong college connections and lastly, a long list of former athletes such as Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson (Louisville) and All-Americans: Calvin Ridley (Alabama), Eddie Jackson (Alabama) and Isaiah McKenzie (Georgia).
Media outlets flocked to Seminole Palms Park -- to witness a control scrimmage that fielded four teams (Florida Fire, Fire South, Palm Beach and Belle Glade) that featured in the neighborhood of 20-30 division one recuits, with an exciting twist to the event -- as four-stars Mark Pope (Miami Southridge), Daquris Wiggins (Miami Southridge), Elijah Moore (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Hakeem Hayes (South Broward) selected the teams.
Pictured above: Darren Davis Jr. & Jacquez Stuart
Miami Southridge four-star junior wide receiver Mark Pope (6-1, 175), who holds approximately 18 football subdivision offers, appeared as a man among boys hauling in multiple touchdowns as well as a number of spectacular catches. He was hands down the top overall performer.
The next wave of nationally recognized standouts were: Elijah Moore, Akeem Hayes, Miguel Edwards, Daquris Wiggins, Ivan Thomas and Gurvan Hall. Park Vista HS defensive back Jack Collins (6-2, 190) from Broward County, who dominated Florida Fire tryouts, turning in another great showing. He's a BCS kid in waiting.
Athlete Jamarian Green (5-11, 160) from Belle Glade HS and tight end Shane Ellis (6-3, 220) from Olympics Heights, who are both juniors, made an impact for their perspective teams, and displayed reliable hands including finding the soft spots in zone coverage. Jamarian shined both at WR and CB. He's currently receiving interest with UCF and FAU.
Miami Killian sophomore (Pictured above) quarterback Cairiq Rackley (6-1, 160), a two-sport star (baseball), is going to be special all said and done. He threw an unbelievable back shoulder pass to Mark Pope for a score, and made the most challenging throws look effortlessly. The fastest man award goes to Miami Northwestern sophomore ATH Jacquez Stuart (5-9, 160).
The speedster, Jacquez, who's a full qualifier, caught simple underneath passes and turn on the burners. He sports one offer at the moment. Miami Central junior WR Chaii Bland (5-6, 140) lacks the prototypical size, but his change of direction, speed and hands, will make you quickly forget about his small frame. He has a fearless heart. Sophomore RB Darren Davis Jr. is by far one of the best all-around athletes in the state. His production at slot receiver was mind blowing. He (Darren) was the Mark Pope at the inside receiver position, to paint a clearer picture. Miami Edison HS emerging star, junior cornerback Jermaine McMillan (6-2, 185), holds three FBS offers, made a number of plays both at CB and DB.
Freshman quarterback (Pictured above) Zachery Bohannon (6-0, 165) from St. John Paul II Academy, a little-known prospect out of Boca Raton, has a promising future, after a stellar performance against top-tier talent. Belle Glade HS sophomore quarterback Davius Richard, gave the spectators a glimpse of how special he can become the down the line, as he displayed an impressive arm and decision making.
Left Pictured above: Christopher McDonald Jr.
Sophomore cornerbacks Taiwan Mullen (Coconut Creek) and Christopher McDonald Jr. (Miami Southridge), held the title as the defensive underclassmen standouts. Chris picked off three passes and was responsible for two sacks lining up at both nickle and linebacker. Taiwan is a stud. In my opinion, he's far more advance than his older brother Trayvon Mullen (US Army All-American/Clemson) at this stage in high school. Christopher, offered by Temple & USF, is going to be the next highly recognized cornerback from South Florida, now as the full-time starter this upcoming fall.
Left Pictured above: Taiwan Mullen
Junior DE/TE Dante Lang (Boca Raton HS) standing at 6-foot-5, 220-pounds holding offers from Arkansas, FAU, Kentucky and Charlotte, turned heads with his deceptive speed and strong hands. He's certainly passes the eye-test. Miami Southridge sophomore outside linebacker Joe Smith is another prospect that looks depart and is athletically gifted. Keep an eye on his this season. He recorded six interceptions last fall. Miami Palmetto junior RB Trey Flowers looks more like in bruiser, standing 5-foot-9, 210-pounds, but he's faster than he appears, and is light on his feet for a big man. He sports an offer from FAU.
Heralded Top Performers
Class of 2018
WR | Mark Pope | Miami Southridge | 6-1, 175 | Overall MVP
WR | Elijah Moore | St. Thomas Aquinas | 5-10, 160 | Offensive MVP
DB | Miguel Edwards | Deerfield Beach HS |5-11, 170 | Defensive MVP
Other standouts:
Daquris Wiggins, WR, Miami Southridge
Gurvan Hall, ATH, Palm Beach Lakes
Diamante Howard, LB, Miami Southridge
Jermaine McMillan, CB, Miami Edison
Ivan Thomas, Miami Palmetto
Class of 2019
WR | Darren Davis Jr. | Christopher Columbus | 5-10, 165 | Overall MVP
QB | Cairiq Rackley | Miami Killian | 6-1, 165 | Offensive MVP
DB | Christopher McDonald Jr. | Miami Southridge | 5-10, 165 | Co - Defensive MVP
DB | Taiwan Mullen | Coconut Creek | 5-9, 160 | Co - Defensive MVP
Unheralded Top Performers
Class of 2018
WR/CB | Jamarian Green | Belle Glade HS | 5-11, 160 | Overall MVP
WR | Chaii Bland | Deerfield Beach HS | 5-7, 150 | Offensive MVP
DB | Traquan Butler | Miami Southridgei | 5-10, 165 | Defensive MVP
Class of 2019
QB | Davis Richard | Belle Glade HS | 6-1, 165 | Overall MVP
QB | Will Poses | Gulliver Prep | 6-0, 160 | Offensive MVP
ATH | Jacquez Stuart | Miami Northwestern | 5-9, 160 | Co - Offensive MVP
WR | Akeem Hayes| South BrowarAd | 5-10, 165 | Utility MVP
Class of 2020
QB | Zachery Bohannon | St. John Paul II Academy | 6-1, 165 | Overall MVP
WR | Deajaun McDougle | 5-10, 165 | Offensive MVP
The Best of the Rest
Marlin Brunson - 2018
EJ Jackson - 2018
Dewon Miller - 2018
Michael Cox - 2018
Eldrin Franklin - 2018
Vincent Redmond - 2018
LaMarcus McKay - 2018
Antonio Laidler - 2018
Frank'Kywon Rolle - 2018
Jordan Dillard - 2018
Mohammad Chatara - 2018
Tyeriq Phillips - 2018
Logan Giordeno - 2018
Bailey Finkelberg - 2018
Donta Law - 2018
Lovely Dweyer - 2018
Anthony Petillo - 2018
Kewan Smith - 2019
Marlin Mayo - 2018
Oyeh Lurrey-2018
Corey Cola-2018
Kenih Lovely-2018
Atorian Perry-2018
Trey Flowers - 2018
Jahani Wright - 2018
Hunter Goetz - 2018
T.J. Young - 2019
Herman Jackson - 2018
Mike Nestor - 2018
Steve Barrett - 2019
Jamel Davis - 2019
Marlin Brunson - 2019
Dehron King Jr. - 2020
