Dolphins host youth gridders for 7-on-7 tournament
For the 10th consecutive year, the Miami Dolphins welcomed youth and high school teams for three days of football action and a life skills symposium.
The symposium, for the high-schoolers only, took place at Hard Rock Stadium, and that was followed by two days of gridiron competition at Plantation’s Central Park.
The athletes heard presentations from Miami Dolphins Executive Vice-President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum, Director of Player Engagement Kaleb Thornhill and Youth ProgramsManager Troy Drayton, who played tight end for the Miami Dolphins from 1996-99 as part of his nine-year NFL career.
“Starting with the symposium, we were first able to engage and encourage the highschool student-athletes off the field, whichis a core piece of the Dolphins’ youth programs mission,” Drayton said. “Building off the symposium’s energy, the level of competition at both the high school and youth level was extremely high.”
Everglades High School quarterback Shawn Jean, 17, is in his first year at the Miramar school and hopes to lead the Gators to the playoffs this fall. The team is coming off a 2-8 season.
“Thesegameshelpyouwithyourreadsand you get better chemistry with your receivers,” Jean said. “They also help you see what you are improving in and what you need to improve in.”
GatorsseniorlinebackerChrisCampbell,17, said the competition still provides much needed reps.
“This helpsmeget better withmy coverage skills,” said Campbell, who lives in Pembroke Pines. “It helps me read the quarterback better and perfect my craft. Last year we didn’t really work as a team. We were a bunch of individuals and I think this year it is a family. We areworking hard.
Everglades offensive coordinator Dackson Tanelus is in his second year at the school. He coached the junior varsity team to a 4-1-1 recordlast season andmovedupto the varsity this year.
Tanelus said 7-on-7 tournaments like the one hosted by the Dolphins help develop chemistry between the quarterback and wide receivers. The Pembroke Pines resident said the Gators will be heavily involved in 7-on-7 tournaments this summer.
“From playing the 7-on-7s you get to open up and become an elite receiver and quarterback,” Tanelus said. “When you have pads on, you are not as agile. You are not using the power and upper-body strength that you would use if you had pads on.
Blanche Ely High School quarterbackNoel Wilson said events like the 7-on-7 tournament are crucial to theTigers’ success in the fall. He will be a sophomore.
“It is really important because we are out here getting the experience,” said the 15-year-old from Pompano Beach. “This will showcasemytalent. Ourmain[team] goal is to win the championship.”
MiramarHighSchoolwas the highest local finisher from Broward or Palm Beach in the high-school division with a second-place showing after dropping a hard-fought 14-7 decision to three-time defending champion Miami Carol City.
A total of 23 teams also competed in the youth tournament, which consisted of three age groups: 10-under, 12-under and14-under.
The Rac Squad (Tamarac Cougars) finished first in the 10-Under Youth Division, while the Fort Lauderdale Hurricanes took the 14-Under Youth Division title. The South FloridaYouthExpress (Miami Gardens) were the12-UnderYouth Division champions.
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