Marcus Benjamin
Team Tampa failed to convert on a two-point conversion that would have tied the game with 15 seconds left. The South Florida Express (SFE) second team exploded in jubilation after the play assuming that they were claiming the Adidas 7-on-7 tournament held at Ives Estate Park in Miami. All SFE needed to do was convert a first down or run out the clock and the title was theirs. On three consecutive plays, SFE failed to do just that and turned the ball over on downs giving Team Tampa two points to tie the game on the last play of regulation.
“We knew if we played good defense, the defense was going to win the game,” said DJ Taylor of Team Tampa and Tampa Catholic.
On the first possession of overtime, it was Taylor caught an errant throw for the championship-sealing interception. It was his sixth of the tournament.
Here’s the championship sealing interception in overtime by @Trendsetta_Delo that helped crown @TeamTampa813 as regional @adidasFballUS #7v7 champs at the East Coast Invitational in Miami. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/QK3DRGU1GO
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 3, 2019
“I told my coach I was going to get us a pick to win this game and that’s what happened.”
It was Team Tampa’s second victory over a South Florida Express team during bracket play on a sweltering afternoon. They would defeat the SFE 1st team also on the final play of the game in the quarterfinals. Quarterback Hunter Helton (Wiregrass Ranch) was efficient for the entire tournament and did get most of the reps over Camron Ransom (Armwood). Helton threw a dart to Charles Montgomery for the score and was faced with the decision to go for the tie with the extra point or the win with a two-point conversion.
.@TeamTampa813 cruises into the second round of bracket play at the @adidasFballUS east coast invitational in Miami defeating Unsigned Preps 32-2. @Hunter6Helton hits @iam_charlesm03 on this touchdown. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/u8nBymaXP1
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
Team Tampa went for the win.
Helton threw another quick dart, this one to Willie Daniels III (Tampa Bay Tech) for the game-winning score.
.@TeamTampa813 gets the victory over @SouthFLExpress 1 with this 2pt conversion. They move on to the semifinals here at the @adidasFballUS east coast invitational. @Hunter6Helton @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/pBCuBmawqN
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
“We did whatever we could to win this tournament. We balled out.”
Helton spread the ball around to a bevy of playmakers on the Team Tampa team. Agiye Hall (Armwood), Deon Silas (Steinbrenner), Noah Biglow (Wiregrass Ranch) and TJ Tampa (Lakewood) were all tough covers and instrumental in Team Tampa’s regional championship title.
.@Hunter6Helton drops another dime. This one to @ej_1k. @TeamTampa813 advances to final at @adidasFballUS east coast invitational in Miami #7v7 tournament. They advance to play South Florida Express 2. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/vUNXOfcsI4
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
Other Stand-Out Performers
Despite the losses, SFE still has plenty of D-1 prospects that impressed Saturday. Florida commit Leonard Manuel (Vanguard) was a near impossible cover. At 6’4 200 pounds, the 2020 wide receiver was an easy choice to add to the SFE roster.
Watch the toe tap from 2020 @FloridaGators commit @Begreatliltone2 from @SouthFLExpress and @vanguard_high. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/I1FXFTP1Fs
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 3, 2019
The Manuel addition will continue to pay dividends as well as the addition of 2021 Jake Harrington (Cardinal Gibbons). Harrington simply gets open adds YAC when needed.
Watch this sick one handed catch by @jakeeharrington at the @adidasFballUS east coast invitational in Miami. Video shot by @ChrisFodde @FootballHotbed @SouthFLExpress @GibbonsFootball pic.twitter.com/bQ4weOmWBS
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
Also looking great for SFE was 2020 Miami commit Marcus Fleming, 2021 Malik Rutherford (Champagnat), 2023 Brandon Innis (University School, Davie), and 2020 Baron Grant (Miami Central). Grant caught a game-winning go route against Unsigned Preps in bracket play.
This would prove to be the game winner for @SouthFLExpress over Hustle Inc in bracket play as @canesqb11 finds Baron Grant for the touchdown with just seconds remaining. They move on to play Team Tampa next. @FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/ncjicf6L1p
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
Nick Vattiato (University School, Davie) took most of the reps with the first team over Katravis Marsh (Miami Central) and Michael Pratt (Boca).
.@canesqb11 doing work out here at the @adidasFballUS east coast invitational for @SouthFLExpress @footballhotbed pic.twitter.com/fLpXnhlRqS
— Marcus Benjamin (@_BenjaminReport) March 2, 2019
LSU commit TJ Finley continues to look impressive for EPS Blaze out of Louisiana.
Air 5 from the Bradenton area also had a strong showing winning all three games in pool play. They would also succumb to defeat to Team Tampa in the semifinal round.
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