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Miami, FL – The defending national champions of 7 on 7 football reside in South Florida. South Florida Express (SFE) took home the 2018 national title at the Adidas 7vs7 tournament in California back in April. SFE was looking to reload Sunday for the 2019 campaign at Ives Estate Park. Last year Kentucky signee Nik Scalzo led at quarterback, but this year we have a new Nick looking to take over. Nick Vattiato from University School (Davie) made the team Sunday at the SFE tryouts and started for the program last year on the 15u squad.
“It’s a good accomplishment for me,” said Vattiato. “I already know a lot of these kids. They make me look good.”
Here at the @SouthFLExpress varsity tryouts. @canesqb11 one of the most impressive. @uschoolfootball @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/oGUXDM4hUN
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) January 20, 2019
SFE has a couple players returning from the championship varsity team like Jacorey Brooks (Miami Booker T. Washington), Penn State commit Derek Wingo (St. Thomas Aquinas), Miami commit Marcus Fleming (Miami Southridge), Malik Rutherford (Champagnat) and former Miami commit Henry Gray. The 2020 four-star defensive back out of Miami Central High School Gray de-committed from the Hurricanes last year and says newly appointed Head Coach Manny Diaz has not contacted him since his return to South Florida but says Canes are still in the mix.
“Clemson, Florida and Ohio State are the main teams in the mix,” said Gray. “February 2nd I am trying to get to Florida then after that I’ll try to make it to Ohio State.”
Gray says Ohio State is the front runner at the moment and feels his relationship with the new staff under new defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is making the difference for him.
“I just like the way they’re recruiting me,” said Gray. “I feel like they can make me the best player I can be.”
SFE lost several players from the 2018 national championship roster to graduation and D-1 programs. Clemson signee Frank Ladson, Georgia commit Tyrique Stevenson, Alabama signee Jordan Battle, Georgia signee Kenny McIntosh, Oklahoma signee Jaden Davis, Kentucky signees Scalzo and Nick Ognenovic and Miami signees Keontra Smith and Te’Cory Couch. They also lost Florida State signee Jarvis Brownlee who attended the try-outs in support of the new members of SFE.
Some Of The Top Perfomers At the South Florida Express Tryouts:
Thaiu Jones-Bell, Miami Carol City
Deonta Nairn, North Miami
Deidrick Stanley, Chaminade-Madonna
Romareo Bedford, Coconut Creek
Christopher Nelson, CG Bethel
Jamal Potts, American Heritage Delray
Eathan Norike, (school not listed)
Hydin Hennighaw, (school not listed)
Justin Payocke, Champagnat Hialeah
Michael Pratt, Boca High
