Smyrna, GA — When it comes to recruiting, colleges are looking for game-changers. A player that can turn a small play into a big play or a player that can take the game into his own hands and win it for his football team, is essentially what college football teams need to win games and eventually championships.
In the second of the three Football Hotbed National Showcase Games on Martin Luther King Day, the 2024 class featured plenty of big-time players. The Purple Team edged the Blue Team making enough big plays to carry them to a 12-7 victory.
Gavin Hall (Hebron Christian, Auburn, GA) of Team Purple took a short pass on the left sideline and made a big play. Hall avoided tacklers behind the line of scrimmage, cut across the field to the right side, and bolted down the sideline for a 54-yard gain. Anthony Mattison (Monsignor Pace, Miami Gardens, FL) would take it the rest of the way on the next play scoring a touchdown from nine yards out with 1:25 to go in the game.
Hall would take home MVP honors with 93 yards receiving on three receptions, 22 yards on three rushes, and also contributed on defense with a tackle and a pass break-up. Hall was dynamic on both sides of the ball and displayed great acceleration on the long catch and run. Just a great overall football player.
Mattison had some strong runs on offense and also had two tackles for loss on defense. The running back gave you everything he had on every play made and had a big impact on his team winning the football game.
SOPHOMORE SHOWCASE MVPS: Congratulations to 2024 DB Jamari Howard of the Blue Team @_JamariHoward_ of @westlandhialeah and Purple Team ATH @Jghall12 of @HebronChristian #Hotbedworld pic.twitter.com/wcrwPuMp2w
— Football Hotbed (@FootballHotbed) January 17, 2022
It Was Over When…
Alberto Mendoza’s (Columbus, Miami, FL) pass fell harmlessly to the ground on a fourth down in the red zone with under 10 seconds to go. Mendoza, however, did have a solid outing running and throwing the football and should add versatility to the Columbus offense should he start for the Explorers in the fall.
However, the game did not go as planned for Mendoza on the first drive of the game as it ended with a score for Team Purple. Jeremiah Smith (Chaminade-Madonna, Hollywood, FL), playing defensive back, closed in on the football and used his speed to outrun the quarterback for a 90-yard pick six.
The Blue Team would strike back in the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown by Licori Humphrey (Osborne, Marietta, GA). The score was set up by 15-yard run by Mendoza in the red zone.
Big Time Players
Jamari Howard, (Westland Hialeah, FL) – Howard converted the point after touchdown for the Blue team with a catch over the middle. Number seven also had catches of 16, 12 10, and 3 yards. Howard also had a pass break-up on defense. Howard earned well-deserved co-MVP honors.
Ryan Mack, (St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, FL) – Made his presence felt in this game. Mack had pass break-up, tackle for loss, and gained about 20 yards of offense.
Charles Walden (Lithia Springs, GA) – The pass-rusher had three sacks in the game and if it was more than 10 minute quarters, he could have added to his sack total. Walden also had a tackle for loss.
Jamari Green (LaSalle, Miami, FL), Brandon Payton (Alexander, Villa Rica, GA), and Jeremiah Staton all had interceptions. Staton returned his for 68 yards and nearly scored on his home field at Campbell High School (GA).
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