Powder Springs, GA — On a day when we honored Dr. Martin Luther King who had a dream to end racism in America, many young aspiring high school football players continue to build their dream to make it to the NFL.
Dreams start with hard work and dedication.
The Football Hotbed Showcase games for current freshman, sophomores and juniors, create a platform for athletes from across the country to compete in All-American All-Star games. The games separated by classes took place at McEachern High School in Georgia starting with the freshman game in 30-degree weather. The White Team would edge the Black Team 21-20 in overtime as Dee Crayton (Denmark, Alpharetta, GA) led a comeback from a 14-6 deficit in the fourth quarter.
Crayton’s interception with 7:26 left in the fourth sparked the rally. Crayton caught the football from a deflection at about the White 45-yard line and was able to get down the sideline to about the Black 27 yard-line. On the ensuing possession from the running back position, Crayton would rush three times for 25 yards and quarterback Sedrick Hill Jr. (Stephenson, Stone Mountain, GA) would finish off the drive with two one-yard rushes to make it a 14-12 game with 2:52 left. Crayton would tie the game converting with a two-point conversion with a run up the middle. Crayton has great patience, uses nifty jump cuts to get in space and gets upfield in a hurry. The 2023 RB had 9 rushes for 43 yards and a touchdown, secured two catches for 14 yards and scored the two-point conversion on offense. The freshman already has an offer from Savannah State.
The White team would get the ball back and have an opportunity to win the game in regulation but quarterback Colby Lamberth’s (Nashville Christian, Dixon, TN) heave toward the end zone would fall into the arms of a Black Team defender to send the game into overtime.
On the first possession of the extra session, Jessie Anderson (Cardinal Gibbons, Fort Lauderdale, FL) would take a jet sweep for 12 yards inside the five-yard line and Crayton would take it from there scoring a touchdown to give the White Team the lead. Samir Attasi American Heritage, Plantation, FL) would boot through the extra point to make it 21-14 game.
The Black Team would counter with a score of their own. On 4th and 12 from the 17-yard line, quarterback Robert ‘Tre’ Jones (Montini Catholic, Plainfield, IL) under heavy duress was able to find Bernard Mack (Cedar Grove, Ellenwood, GA) for the touchdown. Mack was able to high point the football and outmuscled defenders for the score to make it a one-point game. Mack also had an interception in the game and nearly had a second. The Black Team would go for two to win the game but Jones would be sacked by Caleb Walton (McEachern, Powder Springs) to end the game.
The game was mostly a defensive struggle with both defensive lines dominating the line of scrimmage. The most menacing of those defenders was the White Team’s 6’2” 225-pound defensive end Rueben Bain (Miami Central, FL). The freshman would finish with 8 tackles including 6 tackles for loss and three hurries. Bain already has an offer from the University of Miami Setting the edge on the other side was Greg Otten (Cardinal Gibbons, Fort Lauderdale, FL) who had two sacks and a tackle for loss. Clogging up the middle was Walton and Cam Johnson (Seneca, SC) both of whom had multiple tackles for loss.
The White Team started the scoring in the game in the first quarter when Lamberth rolled to his left and found Anderson for an easy 40-yard touchdown. The Extra point was missed making the score 6-0. Lamberth has an offer from Kentucky and looked like the most polished QB on the field.
On the Black side, Ken’Dell Brown (Cedar Grove, Ellenwood, GA) made his presence felt. Brown had three tackles for loss and a sack in the game and was disruptive all afternoon. Brown helped to create pressure on the quarterback which led to the Black Team’s first score. William ‘Bo’ Mascoe (Thomasville, GA) intercepted an errant pass and forced his way over the goal line for a 21-yard pick-six in the second quarter. The converted extra point by Ty Miller (St. Patrick Catholic Vancleave, MS) would give the Black team a 7-6 lead.
Team Black would extend their lead with perhaps the most exciting play of the game. Qunitario Lawson (Riverwood, Atlanta, GA) fielded a punt with about two minutes left in the half, charged through the middle of the field, spun out of a tackle and used his speed to get into the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown. Lawson also had some nice runs breaking tackles for 12 and 16-yard gains, but probably his most impressive play was when he stripped the football from a White Team on defense in the first half. As the ball carrier was going to ground Lawson snatched the football away for a Black Team turnover.
Other Notable Players From The Freshman Game:
Craig Allen (Blanche Ely, Pompano Beach, FL) – Shifty runner with explosive speed
Daniel Fitchner (River Ridge, Woodstock, GA) – In on several tackles and always around the football
Jordan Thornton (Chamblee, Brookhaven, GA) – Solid coverage, not afraid to make tackles in space
Jacoby Hatter (Northside, Columbus, GA) – Made the most plays in coverage without registering an interception
Christopher Mason Jr. (Blanche Ely, Pompano Beach, FL) – Had two catches for 25 yards
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