The Miami Dolphins hosted the 11-On initiative for the first time as high school football programs competed in a team-oriented and character-building setting. Deerfield Beach finished third overall in points to lead participating schools from Broward County and also finished 4-1 during the 7-on-7 tournament at the Dolphins training facility at Nova Southeastern University on Saturday.
Deerfield Beach, which reached the state semifinals last season, had several top performers on display.
“Our kids had an impressive day and they really liked it,” Bucks coach Jevon Glenn said. “It’s something we are going to be looking forward to in the upcoming years.”
Bucks quarterback Derohn King, an Southern Miss commit, had a strong performance to lead the Bucks offense and also won the longest ball toss competition.
“It went good and we played as a team and we are looking to get better,” King said. “We put up big numbers on offense. “We are ready to do big things this year.”
Despite playing without standout running back Jaylan Knighton and highly recruited receiver Bryce Gowdy, the Bucks had several talented receivers make big plays. They were led by four-star recruit Deajaun McDougle and Miami commit Xavier Restrepo.
The Bucks defense was led by Park Vista transfer Alex Henningham, who had multiple interceptions as well as Chris Townsel and Widmyer Garcon.
St. Thomas Aquinas, which fell in the Class 7A state championship game last season, recorded three victories during the tournament.
“It was an extraordinary event and great experience for our kids,” St.
Thomas coach Roger Harriott said. “It was an opportunity to to learn lessons as a team and to mature and it was very productive.
St. Thomas senior safety Jahvante Royal showed his athleticism with one of the top plays during the tournament as a receiver on offense after a one-handed catch for a touchdown. Royal is being recruited by several schools, including Virginia, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Minnesota.
“It was nice to see that reaction from teammates,” Royal said. “It was good for our team to play under pressure and which guys are able to step up against the competition,
The Raiders also had the chance to see three quarterbacks compete and battle throughout the tournament , including Zion Turner, Michael Neal, and Brady Dean.
St. Thomas offensive lineman Josh Sauickie received the award for the bench press competition.
Plantation’s American Heritage, which won 11 games last season despite falling in the regional playoffs, also won three games and also closed the tournament with a victory against Deerfield Beach.
Despite playing without starting quarterback Edwin Rhodes, Patriots senior receiver Douglas Emilien had a stellar performance and led the team in touchdowns scored.
“I had a lot of fun and it was a chance to improve and go up against plenty of competition,” said Emilien, who has received interest from Louisville, Minnesota, and Maryland.
Daryl Porter Jr., who is being recruited by Penn State, Ole Miss, and TCU, led the Patriots defense with two interceptions and several pass breakups throughout the tournament.
“I really enjoyed competing and and it’s good to work on your craft and be out here with my teammates,” Porter Jr. said.
Coral Springs rising senior defensive lineman Serge Champagne, who has received interest from South Florida and Colorado State, also had a strong showing.
Booker T. Washington finished in first place overall in points while Miami Northwestern finished second.
McArthur, Coral Springs and St. John Paul II also participated among the 16 schools.
Rashauna Hamilton, the Dolphins Director of Youth Programs and Camps, organized the event and was pleased with the turnout.
“It was absolutely phenomenal and it was great for some of the best high school teams to play at the Dolphins training facility,” Hamilton said. “We want to keep it going and continue to make it better in the upcoming years.”
The NFL and Nike will bring 11-On to 16 NFL teams in 2019. Former Miami Dolphins players Twan Russell and Troy Drayton helped run the event.
“It was a great team event and it was also exciting for the lineman to be involved so it was a different feel because they were able to show their talent and skills,” said Russell, a Dolphins Youth Football Ambassador.
Alex Kushel is a correspondent for the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
