We nearly had an All-South Florida final at the OT7 seven-on-seven league tournament in Las Vegas, NV. C1N (Cam Newton’s seven-on-seven team based out of Georgia) needed overtime to beat Defcon in the semifinal before taking on South Florida Express (SFE) in the championship game. South Florida is known for producing high-level talent and the tradition continues in 2022. Miami Immortals, the third South Florida team in Vegas, uncharacteristically was eliminated early on championship Sunday.
BREAKING: @SouthFLExpress wins @overtime #OT7 championship in #Vegas. SFE wins 23-18 over #CamNewton7on7 🏆 pic.twitter.com/LiJ5lBlw9C
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 12, 2022
See players who play their high school ball in South Florida that performed at a high level in 100-degree plus heat in sin city.
Quarterbacks
Collin Hurst, 2023, Western (Davie) – South Florida Express
SFE and @WHSFball quarterback @Collin_Hurst8 finds @carnelltate_ for the touchdown.
The score helped put @SouthFLExpress up 20-18 in @overtime #OT7 championship game over #CamNewton7on7.@FootballHotbed pic.twitter.com/gQTereECMw
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 12, 2022
The tournament MVP was clutch in the big moments. He led SFE to the go-head score in the waning moments of the championship game. Hurst also led his team to a victory in the FAU seven-on-seven tournament this week.
Keyone Jenkins, 2023, Miami Central – Defcon
The senior quarterback nearly willed his team to the championship game with his left arm. Down late to C1N, Jenkins found Cataurus Hicks for the touchdown, then found Gemari Sands in the corner of the end zone.
We have @overtime at the #OT7 tournament as @LyghtzO finds @GemariSands in the corner of the end zone for @defcon1_7on7. The play tied game at 18, winner plays SFE in the final. pic.twitter.com/f5xBedLKkG
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 12, 2022
Running Backs
Jamari Ford, 2023, Miami Northwestern – Miami Immortals
.@day1mari uses his speed to get into the end zone for @MiamiImmortals. He’s been a problem all tournament. @overtime pic.twitter.com/zSzRyFdun4
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 11, 2022
Perhaps the most exciting player to watch during the entire tournament. Every time he touched the ball the over/under was set at making at least one defender miss. Ford is an exceptional all-purpose back catching the football out of the backfield.
Gemari Sands, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – Defcon
Another top-level athlete catching the football. Sands can come out of the backfield and line up in the slot and be just as dangerous. His clutch catch in the semifinal took the game against C1N to overtime.
Wide Receivers
Brandon Inniss, 2023, American Heritage (Plantation) – South Florida Express
Five ⭐️ Brandon Inniss @brandon5star2 helps @SouthFLExpress advance to the next round on championship Sunday at the @overtime #7on7 tournament. Win over Trillion Boys. pic.twitter.com/MIYALuBxRw
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 12, 2022
Every bit of a five-star. Inniss is dangerous anywhere, on any field, even in dry heat. His highlight reel from the weekend in Vegas was on par with any other receiver. Short, immediate, and deep routes, this kid does it all with the tenacity that spectators and coaches love.
Lamar Seymore, 2023, Miami Central – South Florida Express
The #MiamiHurricanes commit @lamargotfanz helps @SouthFLExpress take the lead in the @overtime #OT7 championship game. SFE up 14-12 on #CamNewton7on7. Five minutes to go. pic.twitter.com/YbDq3EcicF
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 12, 2022
The Miami Hurricanes commit was productive and reliable throughout. The senior scored twice in the championship game (touchdown and extra point) and was open on most occasions. He had a couple of “You Got Mossed” moments including this one:
Miami @CanesFootball 2023 commit @lamargotfanz catches this one over the defender for the touchdown for @SouthFLExpress. Pass from @Collin_Hurst8. pic.twitter.com/wGSNEBMqjg
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 10, 2022
Robbie Washington, 2023, Miami Palmetto – Miami Immortals
Top tier 2023 quarterback @jadenrashada connects with #MiamiHurricanes commit @RobbyWashingt10 for the @MiamiImmortals touchdown. @overtime pic.twitter.com/dhtden8NAZ
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 11, 2022
Washington was another Miami Hurricanes commit that made big plays in tight coverage. Once he got the football he made plays, but for the Miami Immortals, he seemed to not get the ball enough. In their last game, he made two defenders miss in the open field for a touchdown.
Isaiah Hardge, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – Defcon
The Colorado commit did not drop a pass the entire tournament. The senior has elite hands and is a smooth route runner.
Cataurus Hicks, 2023, Miami Central – Defcon
Scored in nearly every game for Defcon. The senior has elite speed and is able to find open spaces to help move the chains and put points on the board. Certainly is a player to watch in the fall.
Defensive Backs
Conrad Hussey, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – Defcon
The @PennStateFball commit and @STA_Football safety @ConradHussey tracks this one down for the interception for @defcon1_7on7. @overtime pic.twitter.com/bZiYissrTz
— Marcus Benjamin (@BenjaminRivals) June 11, 2022
An ideal ball-hawking safety that hovers around the defensive backfield tracking the football in flight. The Penn State commit can also play solid man defense as he denied several scores throughout the weekend. Hussey picked up an offer from Oklahoma this week.
Antonio Robinson, 2023, Florida Christian, (Westchester) – C1N
Robinson was matched up with some of the best wide receivers in the nation and held his own. He understands the angles to pursue and how to use his body to deny the football.
🚨 BIG PLAY 🚨
Antonio ( @king_arobinson2 ) Robinson with a MASSIVE int at last @overtime 7v7 in Las Vegas
🎥 : @KiddRynoShotDis pic.twitter.com/xMS8Bcbakc
— Rivals (@Rivals) June 15, 2022
Kimari Robinson, 2023, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) – Defcon
Also, an underrated player who understands positioning and has the recovery speed to break up passes.
Daemon Fagan, 2023 American Heritage (Plantation) – South Florida Express
A threat to intercept the football every time the ball flew over the middle or deep into the corner of the end zone. Top-tier safety that can cover tons of ground is rarely out of place.
Athlete
Zaquan Patterson, 2024, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) – Defcon
An overall difference-maker for Defcon. The junior defended well and caught long and short passes to help his team score. Patterson is one of the best overall athletes for the 2024 class.
Honorable Mention
Jalen Brown, 2023, Gulliver (Miami) – Miami Immortals
Jeremiah Smith, 2024, Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood) – South Florida Express
Joshisa Trader, 2024, Miami Central – South Florida Express
LaWayne McCoy, 2024, Avante Garde, (Hollywood) – Defcon
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