US Nike Football

Vapor Trail Victorious

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:43:36 GMT

They came to the tournament saying they were the fastest team around. And Miami's Vapor Trail sure backed it up. The Floridians are champs after taking down Team Super Speed from De Soto, Texas in the final of the Nike 7on 2009 Tournament. Yep, for the second year in a row, a team from the Sunshine State wins it all.

It was scaldingly hot when the two teams took to the Ronaldo Field for the game. Three minutes in, Vapor Trail QB Teddy Bridgewater threw his first of five TD passes. Super Speed worked back down the field, but on third down missed on a wide open route. "We got into catch up mode after that," said De Soto coach Brett Polite, "and that's tough to do against that team." Indeed, Vapor hit a quick strike to make it 14-0, and it looked like Texas was in trouble.

But the exceptional Darius Terrell caught a TD pass from Ryan Polite to cut the lead to 14-7, and some Miami miscues kept the score that way until halftime. But Bridgewater picked up where he left off in the second half, throwing TD passes in back to back drives, including a sensational bomb to Miami's inspirational leader, Michael "Deuce" Harris. That made it 28-7. Just when it seemed Super Speed would have to slink back to Texas, Polite found Marcus Murphy on an 80-yard bomb. The defense got the ball back, and with 10 minutes left, all the momentum was with Super Speed.

But Vapor Trail's defense, so stout all tournament long, came up huge again. Alex Kelly made a couple of deflections, and Miami got the ball back. Seconds later, they were in the end zone once more. Bridgewater sprinted one way, then threw all the way across the field to Harris in the corner, who made a circus catch. "I've been lifting weights, working on my arm strength, so watch out this season," said Bridgewater. South Florida, you've been warned.

The game ended soon after, the final score 34-15 Vapor Trail. As Harris predicted before the tournament, his team went undefeated and won it all. "I didn't say what I was going to do, I said what WE are going do--and we did!" he said afterward. Harris, Bridgewater, and Kelly were named to the all-tourney team, along with Polite and Terrell from Super Speed, Nick Jones and Marcus Lattimore from Zoom Blade, Mike Davis from Zoom Fly, Ron Lewis from Field Generals, George Farmer and Robert Woods from Land Sharks, and A.J. Johnson from Team Merciless.

It was a fantastic three days, a superb event. Congrats to everyone involved , and especially Miami's Vapor Trail, the 2009 Nike 7on Champions!

Nike 7on Players Choice MVP

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:40:58 GMT

Teddy Bridgewater of Vapor Trail from Miami is the winner of the Nike 7on Players Choice MVP, as well as MVP of the entire tournament. He threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns in the final, and led his team on an undefeated run to the championship. Teddy embodied Leave Nothing, and he left no doubt about the award, either. Congrats on a great tournament!

Florida vs. Texas In The Final

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:56:41 GMT

So what state has the best football players? We'll get part of the answer in the Nike 7on Tournament final. Vapor Trail from Miami against Team Super Speed from De Soto. The Sunshine State against the Lone Star State. And great offense against stellar defense.

On Ronaldo Field Black, Vapor Trail was deadlocked at halftime with Zoom Blade from Duncan (SC). Neither team could get much going on offense. Miami went up 14-7, but a sensational catch by Nick Jones of Zoom Blade and subsequent two-point conversion made it 15-14, and it looked like an upset was brewing. But that was the last time Zoom Blade scored. Vapor Trail's defense, led by defensive back Brandon Joseph, locked down the Blade affter that. Meanwhile, the crew from South Beach got its offense untracked, switching to a 5-wide receiver set, four on a single side. That created enough mismatches to move the ball consistently down the field, and Vapor Trail wound up winning 28-15. Michael Harris of Vapor Trail said it best afterward. "Our defense stood tall when we needed them."

So Miami stays unbeaten. But there is one more game to win. And they will have to defeat Team Super Speed from Texas to take the championship.

The Supes outslugged Gardena (CA) Land Sharks 36-27 to advance to the final. It was a back and forth contest, with plenty of deep, accurate throws, ankle-breaking moves, and great grabs. The large crowd watching the game roared at every big play. The difference was Super Speed wide receiver Darius Terrell. The big flanker caught three TD passes, including one to ice the game when his team held a precarius one-point lead in the last minute. "It was a play that had me lining up in the slot," said Terrell afterward. "We ran it about ten times, and I always stayed in the middle. This time, I broke wide, and got behind their defense wide open."

Super Speed lost to a Florida team in the opening round, a game Terrell and his team feels they shouldn't have lost. "We have a chance to redeem ourselves against Florida now," Terrell says. The game against Vapor Trail could come down to the matchup between Terrell and Joseph. Told he would have to watch out for Terrell in the final, Joseph had a typical Florida response--"Tell him to watch out for me!"

Can't wait for the championship game.

The Semis Are Set

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:13:33 GMT

The winner's bracket is down to four teams in the Nike 7on Tournament 2009. The undefeated Vapor Trail from Miami was given a bye into the semis, as the tournament is down to seven teams. Playing in the Nike 7on tournament is an honor. Unfortunately, a small minority of the participants have disrespected those who worked hard to put on the tourney. Therefore, Pahokee High School has been removed from Nike's 2009 "7on" competition due to code of conduct violations.

So that left three games, including battles for supremacy in the states of Texas and California. Team Super Speed, from De Soto (TX), took out Zoom Fly from Dallas 38-21. The game was close with about four minutes left when Super Speed DB Bryson Echols made a great break up on a long pass to the end zone. Super Speed put the game away moments later. In the California Civil War, the Land Sharks from Gardena proved superior to the Field Generals representing Lakewood, 27-13. The Sharks were in control throughout.

Meanwhile, in a battle for southern bragging rights, Team Merciless from Gainesville, GA and Zoom Blade from Duncan, SC took the field in a border battle. Score one for the Palmetto State--Zoom Blade built a 20-0 halftime lead and crushed Team Merciless without mercy, 34-0. A shutout in 7on isn't easy to accomplish, so props to the Blade defense.

So the semifinals will match Vapor Trail against Zoom Blade, while Team Super Speed goes up against the Land Sharks.

Check back to see who makes it to the championship game.

Zoom Fly Wins Nike iD Design Contest

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:33:50 GMT

The kids from Dallas have a future in designing cleats after they stop playing football. Zoom Fly is the winner of the Nike iD Design contest--check out that cool mix of color and function. Congrats guys.

Herbie Closes Out A Great Day

usnikefootball — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:10:00 GMT

The afternoon games were played under a blazing sun, much hotter than the usual Oregon afternoon. Naturally, the last game of the day went overtime. The Vapor Jets from Pahokee, FL took a little extra time to get past Team Merciless from Gainesville, GA. That win was enough to get the Floridians to the top of the Zoom Division, matching their in-state buddies from Miami, who lead the Speed Division. Pahokee went 2-1, and won a tiebreaker with De Soto (TX), aka Team Super Speed. Merciless and the Field Generals from Lakewood, CA, were a game behind at 1-2.

So Friday's championship round will start with four games determined by Thursday's placings. The matchups are--

Miami vs. Lakewood (CA)

Glendale (CA) vs. Gainesville (GA)

Pahokee (FL) vs. Dallas

De Soto (TX) vs. Duncan (SC)

The winners advance to the semifinals, while the losers play in the consolation bracket. It will be some spectacular action, as the players turn it up a notch from today's intense battles.

After the players chowed down on dinner, there was one more special treat. The Huddle welcomed in Kirk Herbstreit, former college star QB and ESPN broadcaster. He answered a ton of questions from the players. Among other issues he addressed

And he told the teams how "unreal" their execution was at such tender ages. You know the kids loved to hear that.

But the biggest reaction came when Herbie gave his opinion on who were the best college players he has covered, and what conference was best. Kirk threw out some big names, but the kids had their regional favorites, and they let Kirk know about it. The biggest storm came when he was asked what state produces the best athletes--it was up for grabs after that.

That's what makes this sport so great--the passion of both player and spectator.

See you Friday as the Nike 7on Tournament 2009 champion is crowned.

Miami Leaves A Vapor Trail

usnikefootball — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:32:53 GMT

It's an old football cliche --there's fast, and then there is Florida Fast. And Miami Northwestern, or as they are known in this Nike 7on tournament, the Vapor Trail, are proving it true.

Miami cruised to three straight wins in the opening games of the tournament, behind the accurate arm of their future star QB and a host of blazingly fast receivers. The Land Sharks from Gardena, CA bounced back from their opening loss to Vapor Trail to capture the next two games. Dallas Skyline High, playing as Zoom Fly, are still looking for its first win. All the games were intense, with the kids giving every ounce and leaving nothing, and the coaches in midseason form, working on their players' techniques, devising plays to get receivers open, and reminiding everyone that sportsmanship is paramount.

Here are the standings in the Speed Division after the opening round of action--

Vapor Trail (Miami) 3-0

Land Sharks (Gardena, CA) 2-1

Zoom Blade (Duncan, SC) 1-2

Zoom Fly (Dallas) 0-3

All the teams will be in action again on Friday, as the championship bracket is played out. We'll hit you with the roundup of the afternoon action later on.

Andre Johnson on the Huddle

usnikefootball — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:43:05 GMT

Andre Johnson, one of the best wide receivers in the game, was just interviewed on The Huddle here at the Nike 7on Tournament 2009. Athletes not on the field involved in games gathered around to hear Andre talk about his experiences and give tips, as well as ask questions.

One key Johnson talked about when it comes to excelling as a wide receiver is focus. "You might get only one or two balls the entire game thrown your way, but that one ball may be to win the game. If you don't catch it, that's all anyone will tlak about. So you can't get frustrated. Keep your focus no matter what happens out there."

A popular subject among the kids was Andre's opinion on who were the best wideouts and defensive backs in the pros. Johnson was of course too modest to name himself! He mentioned how Larry FitzGerald was getting it done in the desert, but reserved his highest praise for his idol, Jerry Rice. Johnson noted he wears #80 as a tribute to the legendary Rice.

As for DBs, Champ Bailey and Nnamdi Asomugha got Andre's nod. "Once Nnamdi gets his hands on you, it's all over."

As for the 7ons, Johnson wished this tournament existed when he was a high school player. He stressed the importance of 7ons in general, saying "not only do they help with technique and timing, but they are great for building team camaraderie." As a Miami native, Johnson he can't help but have a soft spot for the Miami rep in this year's tourney, Miami Northwestern High.

You can see the entire interview at www.nikefootball.com. There are more Huddles scheduled for today, and we'll give you the 4-1-1 on them as soon as they happen.

The Games Have Begun

usnikefootball — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:40:13 GMT

The NIke 7on Tournament 2009 is underway! There are eight teams, split into two divisions, Speed and Zoom. The morning action is in the Speed Division.

Here are the participating teams--

Duncan (SC) aka Zoom Blade
Gardena (CA) aka Land Sharks
Miami (FL) aka Vapor Trail
Dallas (TX) aka Zoom Fly

The teams play two 25 minute halves of 7on action, with a running clock. Coaches get to call one timeout per half. Teams have the option of going for one point from the three-yard line or two points from the eight-yard line after every score. Teams get three downs to get 20 yards, except in the red zone, when they get four downs. And to prevent the offense from having too much of an advantage, the quarterback has only four seconds to throw the ball.

The first games matched Zoom Blade from South Carolina and Zoom Fly from Texas, while on the adjoining field, Vapor Trail of Florida met Land Sharks from California. It was advantage south in the openers, as Zoom Blade opened a 20-0 lead (they scored on the very first play!) and hung on to defeat Zoom Fly 26-20, while Vapor Trail easily took care of Land Sharks in a rout. There are two more morning games, in a round robin format. Zoom Blade takes on Vapor Trail while Land Sharks battle Zoom Fly, and in the final morning contests, Land Sharks tangle with Zoom Blade, with Vapor Trail meeting Zoom Fly.

We'll keep you updated with the results and other happenings at the Ronaldo Fields throughout the day.

The Calm Before The Storm

usnikefootball — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:19:25 GMT

In case you want to know what the nation's top high school football talent is listening to on their IPods, it's "She Got A Friend" and "I think I Love Her." "Nothing else on mine," says Marcus Lattimore from Duncan, SC, one of the best running backs around. "It's the bomb, man," says Fred Pickett, a wideout from Pahokee, FL. Listening to tunes, watching DVDs, and, most of all, sleeping were the most popular activities on the team plane rides to Oregon.

There wasn't much rest in the End Zone Lounge after dinner. The players got busy in hotly contested games of Madden and NCAA Football. They checked out the various Nike cleats, gloves, and bodywear on display. They were particularly interested in Head 2 Head, a program that allows the user to compare their stats to each other's stats--and to pro players as well.

The universal theme was how fortunate they were to be part of the tournament. "It's just surreal, I didn't think it would be anything like this," said Jesse Scroggins, top-rated QB from Lakeland, CA. Everyone I talked to was overwhelmed by the setup, the campus, and the opportunity to meet so many top players from around the country.

Tomorrow, they'll be competitors, but tonight, it's about friendship--and bustin' each others chops while playing video games.

The 7on Tournament Is Here

usnikefootball — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 23:25:41 GMT

8 teams. 7 players a side. A bunch of pro players on hand for tips and inspiration. And some of the finest high school talent in the nation.

The Nike 7on Tournament 2009 kicks off today with the Opening Ceremonies, then moves on to two days of competition. Eight of the best high school teams in the country are at Nike Headquarters outside Portland to find out who has the most skill. 7on is football without the mayhem, no blocking, no tackling, just pure fast-twitch athleticism. Perfect for glorious summer days, like we have in the Pacific Northwest today. The hard-hitting comes when the weather turns--for now, it's all about speed, agility, and accuracy.

The Opening Ceremonies are going on now. The opening video to welcome the players was slammin', and accentuated one crucial point--you have to have speed to play the game. We've had a welcoming address to all the players, as well as an event overview. The head coach and captains from each of the teams were introduced. Then, a local legend, Dennis Dixon, talked to the kids and answered questions. A video tribute to the 2008 champs from Tampa, Florida closed the show. Now all that remains is on-field combat.

We'll be liveblogging the event in full, from the time the teams hit the campus to when a new champion is crowned. There will be special editions of The Huddle with pro players who will be on hand. We'll hear from several of the players talking about the 7on experience. And we'll give you a sense of the atmosphere on and around the Ronaldo Field, where the games will happen and the athletes will spend their downtime.

So keep checking in for updates!

“7 On” Tournament Kicks Off

usnikefootball — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:50:36 GMT

The inaugural Nike Football 7 on 7 tournament got underway yesterday, as elite high school athletes from across the country descended upon the Beaverton campus of Nike World Headquarters. Poised for what promises to be an intense two-day competition, busloads of the nation’s top QBs and receivers arrived ready to take in the Day 1 festivities.

After a full tour of Nike World Headquarters, visiting players and coaches gathered for the 7 On opening ceremonies hosted by former pro quarterback Neil Lomax, followed by a dinner and introduction of the teams. On hand were some of the country’s most highly touted skill position players, including Californian quarterback Morgan Fennell. Impressed with the Beaverton campus and pumped for the following day’s games, Fennell had this to say about his team’s plans for Nike Football’s first-ever 7 on 7 event…

“All gas, no brakes. I know that’s what we’re going to do
out there…we’re going to give it our best.”

As beaming as they were, the 7 On players weren’t the only stars shining on the Nike campus yesterday. The opening ceremonies were punctuated by a surprise appearance from superstar cornerback Champ Bailey and rising star quarterback Dennis Dixon. Bailey and Dixon each addressed the eight teams who will take the field today, offering the kind of insights and advice you can only get from players who’ve been there. Bailey began by passing on the wisdom of his high school football coach…

“Expect to win on the football field, expect to win in life.
Understand yourself. Understand what it takes to be the best.
Always expect to be better. That was one thing I did all my
life – never get complacent. This game gives you the ability
to fine tune your skills.”

Dixon followed up with an offensive-minded perspective on what players should look to get out the tournament…

“This is the best time for a QB and receiver to work together.
This is your chance to try out different situations with skill guys.
Take risks, see what you can and can’t get away with now while
this is practice, so that you can be confident in the game.”

You can be sure the 7 On players are going to put these words into practice come the opening whistle.

The stage is set, the athletes are focused and the pigskin is ready to fly. Leave Nothing time has arrived. The Nike Football 7 On tournament begins today. Stay tuned.

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Get Your “7 On”

usnikefootball — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:27:29 GMT

A quarterback and six receivers. Seven defenders. A football. That’s all it takes to create one of the most essential practice and training methods used on the gridiron today. They call it 7 on 7 and over the years it’s become the go-to off season game for players looking to take it to the next level. Originally developed by Coach Mouse Davis in 1968, the goal was to build camaraderie and effectiveness within offensive units, giving a quarterback and his receivers the reps necessary to perfect their timing and chemistry as they headed into the season. Throughout the 70’s, 7 on 7 was widely adopted among high schools and colleges nationwide, helping to shape what would become the modern day Run and Shoot offense. Today, 7 on 7 is used by teams at every level of the sport to build a more potent passing game, improve defensive cover skills and foster tighter bonds amongst teammates.

Nike Football is proud to be at the forefront of promoting 7 on 7 as a positive and effective way for young players to develop. From July 16 - 18, 2008, we’ll be hosting our inaugural “7 On” tournament on the Nike campus in Oregon, featuring eight elite 7 on 7 teams from across the country. The teams will battle in an intense 3-day competition, at the end of which we’ll crown the Nike Football “7 On” champion. Visit our Nike Football page on Facebook to stay up on the tourney as it approaches. Full coverage will go live on NikeFootball.com shortly afterward, as well as on the Nike Football Flickr pool. There you can check out select photos from players, coaches and fans, and even post some of your own 7 on 7 shots. And be sure to check back on NikeFootball.com to find out how your 7 on 7 team could land an invite to next year’s tournament. As you know it starts with hard work, so keep training and every time your squad takes the field, Leave Nothing.