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South Florida Express Wins Third Straight Hotbed 7-on-7 Classic

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Lauderdale Lakes, FL — Football does not end when the season is over.  The offseason may be just as busy with spring football, camps, and seven-on-seven tournaments.  In South Florida, seven-on-seven is fiercely competitive, but one team stands out among the rest.  South Florida Express (SFE) is the gold standard of the sport winning two national championships in the last five years.  

Saturday, SFE 2023 Varsity Team aimed for a third straight title in the Football Hotbed 7-on-7 Classic.  In the final, the defending champs met with Team Reign, based out of Broward County, FL.  It was a different year, but the same result as SFE walked away victorious with a 24-17 victory en route to the three-peat.  Five-star Brandon Inniss earned MVP honors, but he is one of many superstars that make South Florida Express one of the best teams in the country.

SFE is methodical and calculated on offense moving the ball down the field with quarterbacks who have started for their respected high school football teams since their freshman years.  Collin Hurst (Western, Davie, FL) was the lone QB last season for SFE, and Taron ‘Tyger’ Dickens (Miami Northwestern) joined the team this season. 

Both quarterbacks have pinpoint accuracy on the short and intermediate throws and both throw beautiful deep balls.  

Collin Hurst, Quarterback, South Florida Express

“It’s just a good team,” said Dickens.  “This bond that we built since I’ve been here these past two weeks, it just feels like no other team.”

The champions blew by most of its competition with ease, but it was tough out against rival Florida Fire. SFE got by with a one-score victory as the defense held on to prevent a late comeback in the final minute.  

“Playing on this team is like an honor,” said safety Daemon Fagan (American Heritage, Plantation, FL).  “This team alone has about 400 offers.”

Although the team hails from South Florida, players travel from across the state to be a part of this elite squad.  

“It’s really helping me develop,” said defensive back Cormani McClain (Lake Gibson, FL) of the SFE program.  “SFE is a great program with great coaches.  You always got to surround yourself with great recruits.”

Many consider McClain the best DB in the state.  

Cormani McClain, Defensive Back, Lake Gibson

Game Story

In the final, both teams traded scores with Santana Fleming scoring first and Nathaniel Joseph scoring on the extra point. 

Reign’s Preston Thompson out of Clewiston High School snatched Fleming’s second touchdown away with an interception in the end zone. 


Reign could not capitalize on its next drive as SFE would get a stop close to the goal line.

Another score by Fleming and Inniss made it a two-score game, but Reign would rally to make it a one-score game late as quarterback Brand Campbell (Palm Beach Gardens) found Max Reynolds (Westminister, Pembroke Pines, FL) in the corner of the end zone.  The extra point was converted by Javorian Wimberly (Palm Beach Central).

Tyga would ice the game with two completion to Inniss. The first score, Dickens found Inniss in the back of the end zone for the touchdown and the second Inniss muscled the football away from defenders for the extra point.  The win secured the second tournament championship of the season as SFE won a title last week at the Pylon tourney in Orlando. 

Big Time Players

Brandon Inniss, Wide Receiver, American Heritage Plantation – Is there anything he cannot do? Tough receiver that seems to enjoy running across the middle and making guys miss.  Tremendous ball skills catching the football.  Uses his body to shield off defenders to get in pass-catching positions.  Can also throw the football with accuracy.  

Brandon Inniss, Wide Receiver, South Florida Express

Nathaniel Joseph, Wide Receiver, Miami Edison – The Clemson commit can do it all. As fast as anyone and has great hands.  Always looking to turn it upfield after the catch and fights for extra yards.  Loves to compete and is one of the most exciting players to watch.

Cormani McClain, Defensive Back, Lake Gibson – A technician on an island wherever he lines up.  Can be physical at the snap and excels in body positioning to make a play on the football.  A legitimate lockdown corner.

Daemon Fagan, Safety, American Heritage Plantation – Commands the defensive backfield and owns his space on the field.  Decisive when breaking on the football and has great awareness make game-changing plays. 

Carnell Tate, Wide Receiver, IMG Academy – Lengthy ideal frame (6-2, 185) for today’s wide receiver and has the speed to beat defenders downfield in a blink of an eye.  High points the ball with the best of them.  An all-around talent that can play on the outside and in the slot.

Santana Fleming, Wide Receiver, American Heritage – Could have easily also been named MVP as he always finds a way to get open in this offense.  Seems to really excel in seven-on-seven. Fleming also has the speed to get chunk yards and get into the end zone.  He is a key part of what makes the SFE offense go.

Fred Gaskin, Athlete, Vanguard (Ocala) – An athlete with ball skills.  Can play a variety of different positions and excelled at defending the pass in Saturday’s tournament.  Gaskin’s interception in the final was arguably the best of the day.

Raquan Adkins, Dade Christian – Great athleticism and recovery speed.  Good ball skills and defends well against the pass without holding.  Good upside and could have a breakout year.

Hykeem Williams (Fort Lauderdale Stranahan) and Lamar Seymore (Miami Northwestern and Miami Hurricanes commit) did not play in this tournament.

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Marcus Benjamin works as the senior writer and editor for FootballHotbed.com. He attended Florida A&M and Florida Memorial University completing a bachelors degree in communications in 2010. He's covered high school football in the South Florida area since 2010 for the Miami Herald, Miami Sports Tribune and ShawSports.net. He is married and lives in Fort, Lauderdale, FL.

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