Hollywood, FL— It’s the off season in South Florida, a time where camps, combines and showcases mark the changing of the guard of the elite talent in the area. The old guard has committed and signed and looks forward to their collegiate futures. The new guard assumes the mantle, preparing to make their claims for the same full-scholarships and grant-in-aid deals their predecessors received.
In this part of the country, it’s sort of a birth right.
The 2nd Annual Football Hotbed Season Opener 7v7 Hotbed Classic Tournament will finally resume, after weather postponement from February 2nd, tomorrow February 15th at Joseph Carter Park’s Orange Bowl Field. Pool play for the varsity tournament will begin at 9 AM on the turf and grass fields. There is no admission fee.
The tournament will be packed with talented 7v7 clubs who boast talent filled rosters. The varsity headliners are South Florida Express and Florida Fire Football team’s that both boast national championship pedigree. Joining both these organizations in the high school bracket are a talented group of prominate programs in the area. B2G, an organization that was a play away last year from winning an NFA 7v7 National Championship in 2019 is in the bracket. Team Reign a collection of Northwest Broward County All-stars will enter three teams. Artie Burns, the former Miami Hurricane defensive back and current Pittsburgh Steeler will have his Miami Dream squad in the tournament.
The newly formed Team Soar and Ball Hawks will round out the varsity field. Soar has a nice collection of talent from Dade and Broward County and the Ball Hawks are a collection of players from Miami’s Kendall neighborhood that play at Columbus, Belen and Doral Academy.
To follow the tournament remotely, download the Zorts App on APPLE or Google Play or follow along online by CLICKING HERE.
Here are some names to watch for each squad:
SOUTH FLORIDA EXPRESS – It starts with the gunslingers for South Florida Express, better known as SFE. Nick Vattiato of Davie’s University School is the man at the helm and has been since his sophomore season. He’s easily one of the most well known quarterbacks in the area, playing for power house youth teams like PPO Bengals and Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes that came to national fame and even were featured on Netflix. Vattiato has had an incredible amount of hype and lived up to every moment of it. He pushed his high school team to the brink of a state championship in 2018, in 2019 his team had another strong showing losing to defending state champion Cardinal Gibbons. This will be his fourth competitive 7v7 circuit tour and he’s elite. He’s being recruited by Kentucky, Cincinnati, Louisville, Georgia Tech and Wake Forrest.
Other names of note include Georgia Tech commit and wide receiver Malik Rutherford of Champagnat Catholic in Hialeah, 2021 ATH Brashod Smith, a Florida commit, 2021 Corey Collier and Derrick Edwards, the dynamic defensive back duo from Miami Palmetto High. Freshman All-American Brandon Innis, who plays with Vattiato at University School and Carol City’s Chris Nelson, the do everything utility man on offense.
FLORIDA FIRE FOOTBALL: You are always warned as a child not to play with Fire. This team emulates that. They bring two squads into bracket play Saturday and they are loaded with talent. They start with probably the second best quarterback in 2021 in the area (or No. 1 depending on who you ask) in Torey “Scooter” Morrison from state Champion Booker T. Washington in Miami. He’s also joined by talented freshman quarterback Kewone “Lyghts Out” Jenkins. The No. 1 player in Palm Beach County, Antonio Outler is a member of Fire X and he’s joined by top 2021 WR Brandon Schabert and talented defensive back Marquis Lymon from Atlantic in Delray Beach.
B2G: The team filled with talent will feature Cardinal Gibbons’ Hugo Silsby, Jovee Celestine and Bryan Reid.
TEAM REIGN: Reign is lead by the speedy and super talented Delvante Bouie, a 2021 WR from Coral Springs High. They add to his talents, DB KJ Stewart of American Heritage Delray, DB Mykel Murphy of Piper and 2022 WR Josh Guerin of Chaminade Madonna.
MIAMI DREAM: The Artie Burns’ back team is lead by 2021 sensational WR, Jacorey Brooks. The rising senior has offers from nearly every major program in the south. Just having his talent alone, surrounded by other talent from Miami-Dade County can keep the dream alive for every tournament they enter.
TEAM SOAR: For a new team, Soar truly boasts some big talent. Miami Christian’s Kelly Loiseau, North Miami’s Chamon “Black Knight” Metayer and Tamarii Jones-Cummings pace a solid new team. This is a group that will use talented kids and experienced 7v7 coaches to shock some more experience teams coming into tomorrow’s play.
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