Deshaun Watson's Inaugural 7-on-7 Tournament Showcases Ohio's Elite High School Football Talent
In a show of excitement and anticipation, Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson took to Twitter on July 1st to express his enthusiasm for the high school football talent in Ohio. Watson, eager to witness the skills firsthand, announced the Deshaun Watson Foundation Inaugural 7-on-7 Tournament.
The highly anticipated event unfolded at Archbishop Hoban High School, becoming a platform for the top teams in Northeast Ohio to display their prowess.
While the Northeast Ohio basketball scene had previously witnessed the presence of Cavaliers stars Donovan "Spida" Mitchell and Darius Garland during the 2022-23 season, it was a rarity for student-athletes to not only see their favorite athletes in person but also have the opportunity to perform in front of them. Throughout the tournament, Watson graciously shared advice with the participating players, demonstrating techniques, and even throwing passes to some of them.
Watson, determined to witness the elite level of Ohio football, meticulously selected a stellar group of programs to showcase their skills. The tournament featured some of the best teams from Akron, Youngstown, and the greater Cleveland area, including Akron Buchtel, Akron East, Archbishop Hoban, Aurora, Austintown Fitch, Bedford, Brush, Chaney, Cleveland Heights, Glenville, John Hay, Kirtland, Lutheran West, Maple Heights, Olmsted Falls, and Strongsville.
Hannah Lee, the Youth Football Coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, shared some insights on the efforts to bring the event to life: "The energetic atmosphere created a high level of competition throughout pool play and into the single elimination tournament. There was a lot of collaboration with Deshaun and his team to maximize the experience and competition, in addition to coordinating the 16 teams that participated and overseeing event logistics. The behind-the-scenes preparation that went into this tournament allowed the teams to thrive and compete as they prepare for the upcoming high school football season."
As the tournament progressed, two teams, Glenville and Hoban, emerged as undefeated powerhouses, capturing the attention of everyone in attendance. The championship game between these two teams became the most anticipated battle of the day. Glenville, fresh off their first-ever state championship win, boasts a very talented roster, including recent Ohio State commits DB Bryce West and TE/WR Damarion Witten, who earned the tournament's MVP award. Senior star RB DeShawntae Jones, along with new additions WR Kyan Mason, a D1 state title winner with St. Edward last season, and QB Ruel Tomlinson, a transfer from Walsh Jesuit High School, also showcased their skills.
Meanwhile, Hoban, a consistent contender in state championships, arrived at the tournament with an impressive track record. Having claimed five state titles in the past eight years, the team boasted a lineup of key players, including Tylan Boykin, who would replace Jaqaui Long after his departure, Devin Bell, committed to Miami (Ohio), Rickey Williams, committed to WVU, Tysen Campbell, committed to Central Michigan, and Elbert Hill, who recently received an offer from Ohio State.
As the day came to a close, Hoban and Glenville, both undefeated, squared off in an epic showdown for the championship title. With Tylan Boykin leading the way, the Knights managed to secure a hard-fought victory against the Tarblooders, defending their home field with a final score of 3-1. As a reward for their hard earned victory, the Knights got a championship belt, t-shirts, hats, and an autographed Deshaun Watson jersey.
The stage is now set for a highly anticipated rematch between Hoban and Glenville during week 8 of the regular season, scheduled for October 6th. This upcoming clash could easily become the game of the year in the state of Ohio, as football fans eagerly await the showdown between these two powerhouse teams.
Deshaun Watson's Inaugural 7-on-7 Tournament not only provided a platform for Ohio's elite high school football programs to compete and showcase their talent but also fostered a unique environment where aspiring young athletes had the opportunity to learn from a professional quarterback. Lee added “the goal for the 7-ON-7 is to grow substantially year-over-year and increase teams participating in 2024. Deshaun’s connection to 7-ON-7 tournaments stem’s from high school experience, he aims to give high school athletes from Northeast Ohio that same experience and create life long bonds with those athletes who have the potential to be in his shoes. Deshaun’s commitment to elevating high school football in Ohio will allow us to continue making an impact through the game.”
The event served as a testament to the rich football culture of Ohio and the amazing talent it continues to produce year after year.
