Top Performers from War Zone 7v7 Tournament (South Florida)

On Saturday, at Gwen Cherry Park, the War Zone 7v7 Tournament featured stars from all over South Florida, that ranged from the youth to the high school ranks, with the hopes of becoming a Pylon 7v7 National Championship Qualifier.

Cooper City QB Michael DiLiello

The Tournament, crowned two champions, hosting both a varsity and 15U division championship. Florida Fire would represent, as both chapters Florida Fire & Fire7 would advance to the varsity finals led by unheralded soon-to-be senior quarterbacks (Cooper City/Fire7) Michael DiLiello who stands 6-foot-1, 185lbs and (Champagnat Catholic/Florida Fire) Desjaun Kearse, a dual-threat that's listed at 6'0", 170-pounds. Desjaun, has displayed the leadership and decision-making to have the lions in the hunt for another run at the state title.

The 15U division showcased at least twenty future football subdivision football prospects, and seven possible four-stars, just to paint a clearer picture of the type of talent on hand. Second-year program, Nghtmr 7v7 football team, was led by three class of 2021 varsity starters: QB/ATH Torey Morrison (Keys Gate Charter) and Doral Academy's WR Kahlil Brantley and ATH Timothy Burns Jr., would take home the hardware, upsetting the high-powered South Florida Express, as over hundred spectators closely observed the stars of tomorrow. College football programs, make sure to add those three names to your recruiting boards, because they're going to be the face of South Florida four years from now come National Signing Day. The event wasn't a push-over folks, as local powers took part such as: Florida Fire, South Florida Express, Strong Arm, B2G, DTE, Hardknocks, StruggleNation as well as several out-of-town teams.

Quarterbacks

Champagnat Catholic QB Desjaun Kearse

Cooper City (Fire7) 18' QB Michael DiLiello (6-1, 180), Miramar (Strong Arm) 19' QB Deon Jones ((5-11, 170), Champagnat Catholic (Florida Fire) 18' QB Desjaun Kearse (6-0, 170) and Miami Edison (Hardknocks) 18' QB Terrence Craig (5-11, 180) all turned-in impressive showings from pool play to single elimination playoffs. Desjaun Kearse was voted as the tournament offensive MVP. That award, could have easily went three separate ways, as pinpoint accurate gunslingers Michael DiLiello and Deon Jones, fitted passes into small windows consistently. I was very impressed of both performances. Terrence Craig, proved his arm strength and touch passes can get it down, upsetting Strong Arm right out the gate during the first round of single elimination. Keep an eye on Doral Academy (Nghtmr) 18' QB Miles Hayes (6-1, 210), a transfer from Charlotte High School, who has the potential to light up the scoreboard this fall for the firebirds.

Overall MVP

Miami Southridge (Fire7) four-star junior wide receiver Mark Pope, a US Army All-American selection, turned the War Zone Tournament on Saturday, into the Mark Pope show. I'll be shock, if he doesn't earn the five-star rating soon. He routed defenders underneath and made defenders believers of his top-end speed, as they would back off. His concentration and adjusting to the ball is where he separates himself from the crowd. There's three schools in the running for his service: UM, UF and Alabama.

On the defensive side of the ball, Palm Beach Gardens (Fire7) sophomore CB Akeem Dent, a Uni. of Miami commit, anchored the secondary, as he ran step-for-step challenging gifted wide receivers throughout the event, and made it known, nothing will be given on his side of the field. Pope and Dent's teammate, Blanche Ely 18' WR Akeem Hayes performance wasn't far behind, as he scored a number of touchdowns and found soft spots in zone coverages. Opposing defensive coordinators had to make a decision, do they focus on Mark Pope or Akeem Hayes, it didn't matter, it still resulted in touchdowns as Cooper City QB Michael DiLiello displayed pinpoint accuracy. He's a talented sleeper, that can certainly play at the division one level.

Unheralded Prospect Shines

The War Zone Tournament helped several highly unrecognized soon-to-be senior wide receivers, put their talent on display, as they shined against well-recognized prospects. The first of the bunch, is (Pictured below) Miami Northwestern (Hardknocks) 18' WR Justin Hill, Jr., who holds an FCS offer from Northwestern St, was one of the most physically impressive prospects on the field Saturday.

Justin, standing at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds was very consisted, making a number of catches over the middle for scores and gained separation from defenders after the catch, showing a sneaky burst for his size. He was a top 5 candidate on offense for the event. Cardinal Gibbons (South Florida Express) 18' WR Carlos Sandy (5-9, 170), a small and elusive slot receiver, torched defensive backs throughout the tournament. His speed, burst and football IQ, makes it difficult to cover him. He's a major sleeper, that would thrive in an up-tempo spread offense. He can flat out play against the best.

Lastly, Lake Worth (Florida Fire) 18' WR Bryan Henry (5'9", 170) surprised defenders with his blazing speed, including his acceleration off the line of scrimmage. He (Bryan) found the end zone multiple times. Miami Central (South Florida Express) 18' ATH Seth McGill (5-10, 175), is an intriguing prospect, scoring eight touchdowns at QB and WR this past fall for the Rockets. His vertical ability and quickness as well as reliable hands, is a sleeper at the wide receiver position.

Underclassmen Top Performers

The underclassmen overall MVP goes to yet again, Christopher Columbus (Nghtmr) 19' WR Kalani Norris (5-11, 170), he continues to thrive this off-season. He scored six touchdowns on Saturday, and as always, broke an defender ankles with his next level like, route running skills. Just ask around, he's everything as advertised. Kalani, holds two FBS scholarships. His latest offer was by the Kentucky Wildcats. As crazy as this may sound, considering his game, talent and SEC offer, he's still a bit overlooked. He's a ball player. Another sophomore who impressed was McArthur (Hardknocks) WR Calvin Taylor (5-9, 160), he played a major role upsetting Strong Arm, as he went up to several times for a score and multiple first downs. Keep an eye on this young man.

Cardinal Newman (Florida Fire) 19' defensive back Earnest Jackson (6-0, 160), PICTURED ABOVE, did an excellent job locating the football, pulling in 5 - interceptions as he was in the right place, at the right time, on multiple occasions. His long frame allowed him to cover ground quickly, and make play-after-play, picking off two passes vs. SFE in the semifinals.

Deerfield Beach (Fire7) 19' WR Deshaun Davis (5-11, 175) stamped himself as a standout on Saturday. He lined-up inside and outside at wide receiver and picked up countless first downs as well as going the distance sometimes untouched for scores. Champagnat Catholic (Florida Fire) four-star ATH Gregory Rousseau (6-5, 205) and American Heritage Plantation (Hardknocks) DB Marcus Hodge (6-2, 170) used their long frames to their advantage while reading quarterback eyes playing center field, which forced most quarterbacks to make the perfect throw.

Dominick Watt of McArthur (South Florida Express) can line-up at defensive back or wide receiver at the next level, as he dominated most games. He looks college ready right now, from a physical standpoint. Miami Central (Fire7) soon-to-be senior Hunter Goetz (6-1, 175) is arguably the most underrated defensive back in the state of Florida when you consider his game in gear and shirts, as he patiently waits for his first verbal offer. Hunter, is a state champion and hard-hitter, and perhaps was the top play making safety at the tournament. He delivered turnovers and proved his man coverage skills is far better than most think. He's a baller.

Cornerbacks Taiwan Mullen (younger brother of cornerback Trayvon Mullen of Clemson Tigers), Christopher McDonald Jr (holds 3 FBS offers), Andrew Reese Jr. (Miami Edison), Kewan Smith and Willie Carter (Somerset Silver Palms) performed exceptionally-well. They all prevented possible touchdowns and created turnovers.

The big man award goes to a number of guys I saw on display. Soon-to-be seniors from Palm Beach County, tight ends Shane Ellis (6-2, 225) and Dontae Lang (6-4, 220) both Florida Fire products, showcased tremendous burst from the line of scrimmage and made several clutch catches throughout the event. Miami Central four-star linebacker Robert Hicks and Miami Edison three-star linebacker Billy Joesph have both worked on their lateral speed and looks more fluid in space now, as they want to increase their stock as linebackers as well as University of Miami commit defensive back/outside linebacker Diamante Howard, who covered speedy slot receivers.

Other standouts: Tyrese Lamour, Terry Michel, Robert Hicks, Greg Grate, Nayquan Wright, Marcel Williams, Ivan Thomas, Maurice Underwood, Kamari Bruton, Lamont Finnie Jr., Joesph Taylor, Shane Ellis and Dontae Lang, Craig Cooper, Roshard Branch, Courtland Faison, Robert Hicks.

The Future of South Florida

The up-and-coming quarterbacks (SFE/American Heritage Plantation)

Edwin Rhodes and (Nghtmr/Keys Gate Charter) Torey "Scooter" Morrison would engineer their prospective teams to the finals.

SFE would strike fast, as Edwin would find Miami Booker T. Washington speedster, Jovan Ferguson (future star) on a drag route for five yards, and then Jovan would head upfield, turning on the jets, as he would take it to the house. Edwin would later connect with another possible incoming Miami Booker T. Washington freshman Jacorey Brooks Jr. (6-2, 170) for another score. He has future All-American written all over him.

The calm, cool and collected eighth-grade varsity starter, Torey Morrison would go score-for-score with SFE, finding Timothy Burns Jr. (Offensive MVP) and lengthy Khalil Brantley, standing 6-foot-2, 165lbs, who are both high school starters as eighth-graders as well, for two touchdowns a piece, and eventually pull away with the bragging rights and hardware.

In coming freshman Malik Rutherford and Theandris Freeman, a physically impressive looking freshman, both made their share of plays to keep the game close early on, rotating at running back and slot receiver.

Nghtmr secondary anchored by Wendol Philord (defensive mvp), Elijah Ebreau, Marcus Fleming (Rising Stars All-South Florida Freshman 1st Team selection) and outside linebacker John Joachin who's listed at 6-1, 180 (offered by FAU) were all freshman. The group created key stops and their offense never took their foot off the gas, behind the play-calling of offensive coordinator Xavier Carter and decision making of QB Torey Morrison, as they would spread the wealth, finding the son's of NFL greats, Frank Gore Jr. and Roscoe Parrish Jr. for big gains. Freshman defensive backs Tyler Mackey and Willie Floyd both delivered throughout pool play and single elimination for SFE defense.

Other incoming freshman who impressed were QB Nick Vattiato, QB Fanelle Andrus, RB Amari Daniels, RB DeAndre Francis, Dietrick Stanley & CB Taz Wisdom.