"Yo, where we eating though?" Deshawn asked as they walked out of the facility, still riding the high from another shutout. "I'm starving my ass off."
"Facts," Marcus agreed. "That Florida heat got me dehydrated and hungry as hell."
Coach Taylor overheard them. "Y'all got two hours before we need to be back for the next game prep. Find some food, but don't go too far."
"Bet," Tristain said, checking his phone. "There's a place called Tampa Bay Eats like ten minutes away. Good reviews."
"As long as they got AC," Elijah said, wiping sweat with his shirt. "This heat is different."
The team piled into the rental vans, windows down despite the heat, music bumping as they cruised through downtown Tampa. The city was alive with tournament energy - teams from all over the country exploring, eating, and preparing for their next games.
---
The restaurant was packed with athletes. Flight Boys found a big corner table, immediately drawing attention from other teams who'd been watching their game.
"Damn, y'all really shut them out again?" a voice asked from the next table.
Tristain looked over to see three players in South Florida Elite gear. The one who spoke was tall, lean, with an easy smile and confident energy.
"Yeah, we executed well," Tristain replied diplomatically.
"Executed well?" the kid laughed. "Bro, that was straight domination. Y'all made Charlotte look like a JV team."
"I'm Jordan Banks," he continued, extending his hand. "QB for South Florida Elite. That's my boy Kevin Torres - he's our best receiver. And that's anime boy Derek Kim."
Derek looked up from his phone, annoyed. "Bitch, I got a name. And I was watching Demon Slayer highlights, not anime."
"That's literally anime, you fucking weeb," Jordan shot back, grinning.
"Demon Slayer is peak fiction though," Deshawn jumped in. "Tanjiro's character development is crazy."
Derek's eyes lit up. "Yo, finally someone with taste! Did you see the new season? The animation when Tanjiro goes into that zone is insane."
"Facts! When his eyes change and he starts moving different? That's some superhuman shit right there," Deshawn said excitedly.
Meanwhile, Jordan was still talking to Tristain. "Real talk though, y'all are the team everyone's talking about. That Chicago tournament video been on repeat. You really threw 18 for 18 in that second half?"
"Something like that," Tristain said, staying humble.
"Nah, don't give me that humble shit," Jordan said with a laugh. "I watched the film. You were in the zone. Like, legit in the zone. Some main character type shit."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Main character?"
"Yeah bro, like in anime or movies when the protagonist just takes over and everything goes perfect. That's what you looked like out there. Like you were destined to win or some shit."
Kevin Torres, who'd been quiet, finally spoke up. "Jordan thinks he's the main character of everything. Dude probably thinks he's gonna win this whole tournament."
"Because I am!" Jordan said confidently. "Y'all saw me throw earlier today. 12 for 14, 3 TDs. South Florida Elite don't lose in our home state."
"Home state advantage," Kevin agreed. "But real talk, after watching y'all play... shit might get interesting."
Derek looked up from his animated conversation with Deshawn about power scaling. "Yo Jordan, you better hope we don't play these dudes until the finals. They look scary."
"I want all the smoke," Jordan said, leaning back in his chair. "Matter fact, y'all better not get knocked out before we get to play each other. I want to see what all this hype is about."
"Same energy," Tristain said with a slight smile. "Don't y'all get eliminated either. Would hate to miss that matchup."
"Oh we ain't getting eliminated," Jordan said confidently. "This is my tournament. My story. Y'all just side characters until we meet up."
"Get a load of this guy bro really got protagonist syndrome," Marcus said, shaking his head but laughing.
"It ain't syndrome if it's true," Jordan shot back. "Main character energy different."
---
After eating, both teams decided to explore downtown Tampa together. The Florida boys showed them around, pointing out spots and sharing stories about growing up in football-crazy Florida.
"See that field over there?" Kevin pointed to a small park. "That's where half these dudes got their start. Florida football different, man. We been competing since we could walk."
"Y'all Texas boys know about competition though," Derek said to Tristain. "But Florida got that year-round grind. No off-season."
"Facts," Jordan added. "That's why we produce more D1 players than anybody. It's just built different down here."
They walked past street courts where kids were playing pickup basketball, the sound of sneakers squeaking and trash talk filling the air. The energy was infectious.
"Yo Derek," Deshawn said, "what other anime you watch? I'm always looking for new shit."
"Attack on Titan, Jujutsu Kaisen, Dragon Ball obviously. You fuck with any of that?"
"Hell yeah! Attack on Titan's ending was crazy. And don't get me started on Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen."
"Bro, when Gojo activated Domain Expansion for the first time? That shit gave me chills."
Meanwhile, Jordan was still talking recruiting with Tristain and Marcus.
"Where y'all thinking about going to college?" Jordan asked.
"Still exploring options," Tristain replied. "Got an offer from Indiana so far."
"Indiana? That's random as hell," Kevin said. "What about the big programs?"
"Coach Cignetti recruited me early. Loyalty matters."
"I respect that," Jordan said. "But when Alabama, Georgia, Florida come calling..."
"We'll see," Tristain said simply.
"I'm trying to get to The U," Jordan said confidently. "Miami. Stay home, play for the hometown team. Plus their quarterback room is legendary."
---
After an hour of exploring, both teams headed back to their respective hotels to prepare for the next games.
"Yo, for real though," Jordan said as they parted ways. "Don't get knocked out. I want to see what y'all really about when it matters."
"Same energy," Marcus replied. "Hope y'all can back up all that talking."
"Oh we can," Jordan said with that same confident smile. "See y'all in the finals."
Derek dapped up Deshawn. "Yo, add me on Instagram. We gotta keep this anime conversation going."
"Bet. And when we beat y'all, don't be mad," Deshawn said with a grin.
"When? he said when," Derek laughed. "We'll see about that."
----
Back at the facility, Coach Taylor had the team locked in for their second game of the day.
"Atlanta Storm got Georgia connections," he said during the brief prep. "They've been watching everything we did against Charlotte. Expect adjustments."
The game was another statement. Tristain went 14/15 for 298 yards and 5 TDs. Marcus caught 6 passes for 127 yards and 2 scores. Deshawn added 4 catches for 89 yards and a TD. Elijah dominated the middle with 3 catches for 67 yards and 2 TDs.
Final Score: Flight Boys 42 - Atlanta Storm 7
Another dominant performance. The only touchdown Atlanta scored came in garbage time against the reserves.
---
The third game was even more lopsided. Birmingham Elite had no answers for the Flight Boys' balanced attack and precise execution.
Tristain: 13/14, 315 yards, 6 TDs Marcus: 5 catches, 98 yards, 2 TDs
Deshawn: 4 catches, 112 yards, 2 TDs Elijah: 3 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD Jaylen: 1 catch, 18 yards, 1 TD
Final Score: Flight Boys 49 - Birmingham Elite 0
Another shutout. Three games, three dominant wins. The Flight Boys had announced their arrival in Florida in emphatic fashion.
---
Back at the hotel that evening, the team was exhausted but satisfied. Three games in one day, three blowout wins.
"Bro, my legs are dead," Deshawn said, collapsing on his bed.
"Facts, but we looked smooth out there," Marcus replied. "Like, really smooth."
"Smooth as hell," Elijah agreed. "Birmingham didn't even belong on the same field."
"That's three straight shutouts if you count Charlotte," Jaylen pointed out.
"Defense been crazy," Terrell added. "They can't even move the ball on us."
"Offense been clicking too," Carlos said. "Every route been crisp."
Tristain was sitting by the window, looking out at the Tampa skyline. His phone buzzed with notifications - social media going crazy over another dominant day.
"Yo T," Marcus said. "You good? You been quiet."
"Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking."
"About what?"
"How this all feels surreal. Like, three months ago I was third string. Now we're dominating tournaments and everyone's watching."
"That's growth, bro," Deshawn said. "You earned all this shit."
"We earned it," Tristain corrected. "This is a team thing."
"Facts, but you the one making it happen," Marcus said. "Those throws today were crazy."
"Y'all been running perfect routes. Making my job easy."
---
As the team settled in for the night, Tristain decided to call his family back in Texas.
"Hey Mom," he said when she picked up.
"Baby! How'd y'all do today?" Maria's voice was excited and proud.
"Three wins. Three shutouts."
"Three shutouts?! In one day?"
"Yeah. We played really well."
"I'm so proud of you. Your whole family been watching the highlights. Your uncle been telling everyone his nephew is going to the NFL."
Tristain laughed. "Tell Uncle to chill. Still got a long way to go."
"How you feeling though? You eating good? Getting enough rest?"
"Yeah Mom, I'm good. The Sayanas been taking care of me. Tom and Lisa are great."
"Good. You remember where you came from, okay? Stay humble."
"Always."
"How's Ayana? I saw the prom pictures on Instagram. Y'all look good together."
"She's good. Been supporting me through all this."
"Good girl. You better treat her right."
"I am, Mom."
"Okay baby, get some rest. You got more games tomorrow?"
"Semifinals and finals if we keep winning."
"You will. I believe in you. I love you."
"Love you too, Mom."
After hanging up, Tristain sat quietly for a moment, thinking about how far he'd come. From third string in Texas to dominating tournaments in Florida. The journey felt unreal.
His phone buzzed with a text from Ayana:
"Saw the highlights babe. You looked amazing out there. 3 wins? You're incredible ❤️"
He smiled, typing back:
"Miss you. Wish you were here to see it live."
"Soon. Focus on winning that championship. I'll be watching every game ❤️"
"Always. Love you."
"Love you too. Good Night."
As Tristain settled into bed, he could hear his teammates still talking about the day's games, making jokes, and playing video games. The sound was comforting - his brothers celebrating another step toward their ultimate goal.
Tomorrow would bring the knockout rounds. The real tournament was about to begin.
But tonight, they could rest easy knowing they'd dominated group stage play and proven they belonged among Florida's elite programs.
Three down. Championship to go.