Three weeks ago, nearly 40 teams headed to Hialeah for the opportunity to be one of the 10 best that would come back to play for the prestigious South Florida Nike 7-on-7 title.
This Saturday, 16 of the best teams from Miami-Dade, Broward Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Martin Counties will play for the title that was won last year by Miami Northwestern.
Led by BCAA teams Hallandale, McArthur, Flanagan and Coral Springs, the Nike 7-on-7 event will be up for grabs.
One of the real surprise teams this off season, the Mustangs of McArthur are trying to get back on the winning track after two very tough programs.
With a new coach (Andrew Rhoden) and several players who have devoted plenty of time in getting better, this has been a great two months for this team that made it to the Final Four of the Heath Evans 7-on-7 tournament in West Palm Beach, and then went a perfect 3-0 in the prelims of this Nike event.
To players for the Mustangs include Class of 2012 players Derrick Walker (running back) and defensive end/outside linebacker Devon Morris, a 6-2, 225-pounder.
The Mustangs also have 2013 linebacker Jeremy Benjamin, a 6-3, 220 pounder who finds himself among a number of state-rated players from the BCAA in this class.
Some other Mustangs who will be in the spotlight on Saturday at Amelia Earnhart Park in Hialeah include receivers William Johnson and DaLawrence Orr, and 2013 safety Stephen Chica, who also plays on the offensive side of the ball.
Hallandale figures to make a huge impact with a stingy defensive secondary and senior transfer Abe Coleman at quarterback.
Here is the schedule for this Saturday. Come on out and support your team and players:
* Games will be played from 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., with the single-elimination tournament starting at 11 a.m. The championship is slated to start at 2:15.
8 a.m.
Field 1 - Jupiter Christian vs. MacArthur
Field 2 - Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer vs. Hallandale
Field 3 - Martin County vs. Miami Booker T. Washington
Field 4 - Palm Beach Gardens vs. Miami Coral Reef
8:50
Field 1 - Treasure Coast vs. North Miami
Field 2 - Dillard vs. Homestead South Dade
Field 3 - Flanagan vs. Miami Braddock
Field 4 - Coral Springs vs TBA
9:30
Field 1 - Jupiter Christian vs. Miami Booker T. Washington
Field 2 - Dwyer vs. South Dade
Field 3 - Stuart Martin County vs. MacArthur
Field 4 - Palm Beach Gardens vs. Hallandale
10:20
Field 1 - Treasure Coast vs. Braddock
Field 2 - Dillard vs. TBA
Field 3 - Flanagan vs. Coral Reef
Field 4 - Coral Springs vs. North Miami
Playoffs (rounds in parentheses)
(1) 11:00
(2) 11:50
(3) 12:40
(4) 1:30
Championship at 2:15
You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at Floridakids1@hotmail.com. Blustein is the co-host of the High School Gridiron Show each Wednesday night from 9-10 on WQAM (560 AM) or www.wqam.com.
You can also follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/larryblustein |
