Nearly 20 teams will gather at Merritt Island High School this Saturday for the FHS 7v7 Association's second off-season tournament. The event follows the first tournament in St. Cloud, where Lake Nona defeated Bartram Trail for the championship. Temperatures are expected to be more favorable for football this time, unlike the first event, which took place in the 40s.
The first tournament showcased strong quarterback talent, including Merritt Island's Kevin Verpaele, South Lake's Tre Kelly, West Orange's AJ Chung, and St. Cloud's Jeremiah Letter. The second event will feature players such as Bartram Trail's Gavin Peterson, F. W. Buchholz's Andrew Whittemore, and Gibbs' Steven Alexis.
Other players to watch include St. Cloud's Jaden Irons, Merritt Island's DeShaun Thomas, Lake Nona's Charles Woodson Jr., and Lake Howell's Brycen Marbrey. The tournament is part of the road to The Villages, a key event in the high school football calendar.
The event is expected to draw fans and scouts, with the focus on identifying talent ahead of the 2024 season. The tournament will take place on Merritt Island's fields, which have hosted similar events in previous years.