FIRE South beats Ground Zero to win the 2019 Pylon 7on7 Tournament
By Jerry Williamson (Florida Fire Beat writer)
ORLANDO, FLA. - The Florida Fire South 7v7 all-star football team arrived to Kissimmee, Florida with less than two days of practice and minimum team chemistry and finished as the last team standing at Pylon orchestrated by class-of-2020 gunslingers Jaylin Willis (Miami Southridge) and Christopher Columbus Brandon McDuffey Jr.
Head coach Dray Smith (pictured above) only lost of the tournament took place on Saturday during pool play to Defcon1 which united his team and added fuel to the fire. Offensive coordinator Edurado Clements and defensive coordinator Devante Davis and assistant coaches Kieon Payne and Nicholas Norris would blaze the 7v7 tournament winning six consecutive games and ultimately gain revenge by beating Defcon1 14-7 in the semi-finals and seized the Pylon Championship beating Ground Zero in overtime.
OFFENSE The playmakers behind the fireworks on offense this past weekend were both Miami-Dade County natives Kahlil Brantley and Michael Jackson. Miami Palmetto freshman superstar Michael Jackson was extremely productive on offense over the weekend for Florida Fire South. He scored a number of deep touchdowns and was able to use his burst and quickness as an underneath nightmare within the red zone. He has a knack for just getting open. Jackson accoldes consist of first-team Maxpreps All-American and Rising Stars' All-South Florida Freshman MVP. Miami Northwestern (FL) 21' WR Kahlil Brantley, a Utah verbal commit, has nice height and reliable hands. What sets him apart is his ability to box out smaller defenders using his wingspan and his hand strength as he made a couple of spectacular catches in the end zone. There's plenty to like about Brantley, who could probably help any division one team. The vital piece of being successful in 7v7 all-star action is having a quarterback that's smart and can read coverages. Christopher Columbus soon-to-be senior quarterback Brandon McDuffey, a class 8A state runner-up, and Jaylin Willis from Miami Southridge contributed throughout the tournament tossing multiple touchdowns and throwing their offensive targets open. Brandon McDuffey Jr. will enter fall as the top class-of-2020 quarterback in Miami-Dade County. McDuffey and Willis were both lights out, and Willis' big hands and big arm proved to be invaluable in the driving rain.
Miami Killian running back Frank Gore Jr. made big play after big play, and sealed the deal down the stretch in overtime against Ground Zero. He catches the ball extremely well out of the backfield. He has the ability to make the defender miss with his precise cuts. He showed outstanding effort in every play. Christopher Columbus class-of-2020 wide receiver Xavier Henderson, the younger brother of University of Florida starting cornerback C.J. Henderson, gave Fire South an imposing figure over the top during day 2 play. The 3-star recruit holds an offer from Clemson (including multiple offers) which sums up his ability to change a game.
Next in-line was Miami Booker T. Washimgton class-of-2020 wide receiver Theodore Richardson who made his share of plays which helped the six game winning streak. DEFENSE Miami Northwestern class-of-2021 is loaded in the secondary headlined by both defensive backs Kam Kichens and Tim Burns Jr.
The duo brought a winning mentality with them into the day, and it wore off on everybody. Champions in every sense of the word! Their high energy and big play abilities carried the Fire even in a hostile environment. When you factor in Miami Northwestern emerging sophomore cornerback Chaz Smith play on Sunday, it's safe to say the bulls could possibly have the top secondary in South Florida for the class-of-2021 and perhaps the state of Florida.
Miami Central rising sophomore cornerback Elijah Vaughn made endless clutch plays while reading the quarterback eyes. Keep an eye on him this fall. Miami Palmetto soon-to-be senior defensive back Robert Hanna's speed and range made windows smaller for opposing quarterbacks. Hanna is one of the best kept secrets in South Florida despite his multiple FBS offers.
