The Road To The Crown tournament in Houston was an excellent platform to kick off the DR7 season, showcasing emerging talent and fierce competition. Among the standout players were several playmakers in the 14U Division who made an impact during pool play. The mission and goal of The Platform is to #ExposeTheUnexposed and provide adequate coverage of athletes around the country giving them exposure. Here’s a spotlight on a few notable performances.
Nelson Farr (ATH) | Class of 2029 | 7v7: CH Elite
Farr has the skill set to make plays on both sides of the football. Defensively he lined up in secondary and made plays. He has good instincts combined with excellent ball skills that enable him to be in position to stop offenses from getting easy completions. He excelled on offense by getting open often and his ability to separate from defenders allowed him to win on his routes.
Dontrell Sykes (ATH) (@offical_ds1) | Class of 2028 | Deer Park High School | 7v7: TTG
Sykes showed that he has the ability to make plays on both sides of the football. He is an excellent on ball defender, he gets his hands on receivers to get them off of their axis and he plays with aggression. On offense, he has the quickness to create separation at the snap and he gets open often, he has strong, reliable hands that enables him to make contested grabs. He has a stout build that allowed him to absorb contact and come down with several catches in traffic.
Jim Gonzalez II (DB) (@wakeupjit) | Class of 2029 | 7v7: TTG
Gonzalez II made plays on the backend from his safety position, showing excellent range and the ability to shut the deep ball during pool play for TTG. He has great footwork combined with flexible hips that allowed him to be in position to shut down the big play over the top. Gonzalez II showed off his speed, by making a game changing interception for six. He will be a key leader in the defensive backfield for TTG heading into Crown Sunday.
Markeric Lacour (WR) | Class of 2028 | 7v7: Louisiana Chaos
Lacour is an excellent route runner with a long, lean athletic frame and a large catch radius. He has strong hands that attack the football at the catch point and his ability to highpoint the ball in flight makes him a mismatch in coverage. Lacour has some wiggle in space and he had several grabs during pool play, where he showed his speed after the catch. He has the potential to be one of the top pass catcher in Louisiana in his class as he matures.
Nate Matchette (QB) | Class of 2031 | 7v7: Louisiana Chaos
Matchette displayed clean mechanics combined with the arm strength to deliver sharp passes into small passing windows. When he sees an open target, he has a quick release and this enabled him to lead his team on several drives for touchdowns. Nate has a calm, cool demeanor which allows him to receive coaching and execute the game plan offensively. He helped lead the Louisiana Chaos to a 3-0 start in pool play.
Shawn Williams (ATH) | Class of 2028 | Grant High School (La.) | 7v7: Louisiana Chaos
Williams was one of the better athletes on the field wherever he lined up. Offensively, he is a playmaker, he has great hands, he runs crisp routes and his ability to make grabs in traffic allowed him to be a main target. Williams uses his speed and quickness to win off of the line of scrimmage, which enabled him to get open often. Defensively he had several pass breaks up and an interception. You will know his name on Friday nights in Louisiana.
Alex Bartie (ATH) (@Showtime_bartie) | Class of 2028 | Iowa (La.) | 7v7: Louisiana Mudbugs
Bartie was one of the top playmakers in the 14U Division. Offensively he plays with controlled aggression, he has strong hands and his used his speed and quickness off the line of scrimmage to get open often. He excelled at yards after the catch in a 7v7 setting and his ability to beat defenders allowed him to get multiple targets. Bartie showed his versatility by making plays on the defensive side of the ball. He has good instincts with superb ball skills and had a pick six, showing that he is true ballhawk.
Julius Brown (ATH) (@Juliuspbrown) | Class of 2028 | Leesville High School (La.) | Louisiana Mudbugs
Brown makes plays with the ball in his hands. He has a quick burst off of the line of scrimmage, he is shifty in space, which enabled him to get open routinely. He has a stout, compact build with a powerful lower half and he has the frame to absorb contact in heavy traffic and come down with receptions. His statement play of the day was a one-handed catch where he shrugged off contact and extended to make a big play. Defensively he is active and he has the ball skills to make plays in passing lanes. Brown was one of the better two-way players in the this division.
Colton Heath (QB) | Class of 2031 | 7v7: C4 Elite
Heath has a calm demeanor, he has a strong arm and his ability to fit the football into small passing windows were several traits that stood out in his game. He made the necessary plays to keep his team moving the football consistently. His ability to keep his composure allowed him to keep his offense fighting to the very end.
Dutch Kelley (ATH) | Class of 2030 | 7v7: C4 Elite
Kelley plays fast, he runs good routes and he has the speed to make the big play over the top. He was the go to guy for C4 Elite and his ability to make the big grab in traffic allowed his team to move the chains and score touchdowns. Defensively he used his extended reach to break up several passes.
Gage Hossieni (QB) (@gage_hossieni) | Class of 2028 | 7v7: Jackboyz
Hossieni has the arm talent to thread the needle into tight coverage windows for completions. He has good touch on his deep ball and his ability to put the ball in play for his receivers allowed him to complete a late TD that put his team in position to win one of their games during pool play. He has good mechanics with clean footwork that allowed him to make several big throws.
Raymarlin Alexander (QB) | Class of 2029 | 7v7: Louisiana Mudbugs
Alexander has good arm strength with the skill set to throw his targets open in tight coverage. He makes good decisions with the football and his ability to make throws on the run allowed him to move the chains, as well as make TDs for his squad. The Mudbugs finished the day 2-1 behind solid play at the QB position from Alexander.
