As the Flight Boys gathered their gear, Tristain's phone started buzzing with notifications. The LSU conversation had been overheard by several other college scouts, and word was spreading fast.
"Yo T," Marcus said, jogging over with his own phone lighting up. "You see this shit? I got like fifteen new DMs from college coaches."
"Same here," Tristain replied, scrolling through messages. "Toledo, Ball State, Western Michigan... they all want to offer after seeing that Indiana offered me officially."
Deshawn looked up from his phone. "Y'all getting all the love. I'm over here with three new followers and a DM from some random girl asking if I know y'all personally."
"You do know us personally, dipshit," Elijah laughed. "Matter of fact, you been riding our coattails all tournament."
"Fuck you, E," Deshawn shot back with a grin. "I been cooking niggas all day. Just 'cause y'all the pretty boys don't mean I ain't nice."
Xavier walked over, shaking his head. "Y'all really about to be famous famous. Saw that LSU scout taking notes all game like he was studying for finals."
"What he say to y'all?" Jamal asked curiously.
"Invited me to their camp," Marcus said, still slightly shocked. "LSU camp, bro. Like, for real."
"That's crazy," Devon added. "You went from unknown to LSU camp invite in like two months."
"Unknown?" Marcus raised an eyebrow. "I was never unknown, just underappreciated."
"Same thing," Malik said with a laugh.
Tristain's phone rang - unknown number with a 765 area code.
"Hello?"
"Tristain? This is Coach Mike Shanahan from Ball State University. Watched you play today and we'd love to offer you a full scholarship."
The team went silent, gathering around to listen.
"Thank you, sir. That's... wow. Thank you."
"We'd love to get you on campus for an official visit. You interested?"
"Yes sir, definitely interested."
After hanging up, the team erupted.
"Ball State just offered!" Marcus yelled. "That's two D1 offers!"
"Shit's getting real," Terrell said, genuinely excited for his teammates.
"Y'all about to be rich and famous," Carlos added. "Don't forget about us little people."
"Rich?" Jaylen laughed. "These niggas can't even pay for their own dinner right now."
"Speaking of dinner," Coach Taylor interrupted, walking over, "y'all got thirty minutes to eat and be back here for Game 2 prep. Don't get distracted by all this recruiting shit. We still got business to handle."
---
The team found the same restaurant from yesterday, but this time they weren't alone. Jordan Banks and Derek Kim were already there with some of their South Florida Elite teammates, along with players from Raw Miami and Miami Central.
"Yo, if it ain't the LSU boys!" Jordan called out as they walked in. "Saw that scout taking notes like crazy during y'all game."
"Man, shut up," Marcus replied, but he was smiling. "How'd y'all game go?"
"Cooked them Texas boys," Derek said, not looking up from his phone. "35-21. Wasn't even close after the first quarter."
"That humble," Deshawn said sarcastically. "Y'all barely won."
"Barely?" Jordan laughed. "Bro, we was up 21-0 at halftime. We took mercy on them."
"Sure y'all did," Elijah said, sitting down at the next table.
A kid from Raw Miami, Antonio Martinez, leaned over from his table. "Y'all really get offered by LSU?"
"Nah, camp invite," Marcus clarified. "But that Ball State offer just came through."
"Ball State is ight," said Cameron Willis from Miami Central. "MAC Conference been sending dudes to the league lately."
"Facts," Antonio agreed. "My cousin went to Toledo, got drafted by the Ravens last year."
Jordan's phone buzzed. "Yo, Derek, check this out. @247Sports just posted an article about biggest risers from today's games."
Derek looked over Jordan's shoulder. "Oh shit, y'all Flight Boys got three mentions. Marcus, Tristain, and..." he squinted at the screen, "Deshawn Washington? That you?"
Deshawn nearly choked on his drink. "What? Let me see that shit."
Jordan turned his phone around. The headline read: "Tampa Risers: Flight Boys Trio Making Waves."
"Deshawn Washington - Two-way standout showing elite route-running and coverage skills," Derek read aloud. "This dude about to get recruited too."
"About damn time," Deshawn said, trying to play it cool but clearly excited. "Been telling y'all I'm nice."
"Two-way player?" Cameron asked. "You play defense too?"
"Best corner on the team," Deshawn said confidently. "Ask anybody."
"Best corner?" Xavier laughed from across the restaurant. "Bitch please, you wish."
"I am though!" Deshawn protested. "I be strapping up!"
"You lock up receivers in practice," Malik called out. "That's different."
"Whatever, man. Y'all gonna see in Game 2. I'm about to show out on both sides."
Antonio pulled out his phone. "Yo, we should all follow each other on Instagram. Tournament connections and shit."
Soon all the top prospects were exchanging handles and following each other. The restaurant had turned into an impromptu recruiting networking session.
"Y'all really about to be teammates in college somewhere," Jordan observed, scrolling through everyone's profiles. "Like, for real. We all gonna end up at the same schools recruiting against each other."
"Facts," Derek agreed. "Five years from now we gonna be in the league talking about this tournament."
"Five years?" Marcus laughed. "Speak for yourself. I'm trying to be in the league in three."
"Three years is fast as hell," Cameron said. "But if you keep playing like today..."
"Today was just a warm-up," Marcus said confidently. "Game 2 about to be even better."
---
Coach Taylor gathered the team back at the facility with serious energy. Game 2 meant advancing to the semifinals or potentially facing elimination in Game 3.
"Phoenix Elite gonna come out desperate," he said. "Desperate teams are dangerous. They got nothing to lose now."
Deshawn was locked in, his mind already shifting between offense and defense. Playing both ways in 7-on-7 was demanding, but it gave him opportunities to impact the game in multiple ways.
Alright, D. Time to show these college scouts what a real two-way player look like. Been waiting for this moment all my life.
He looked across at Phoenix Elite warming up. They had different energy than Game 1 - more focused, less trash talk. Their best receiver, Tony Martinez, was working extra hard on his routes.
Martinez think he slick. But I been studying his tendencies. Dude loves that comeback route at 15 yards. Always looks to his left before he breaks. Tell-tale sign.
"Deshawn!" Coach Taylor called. "Come here."
Deshawn jogged over. "Yes sir?"
"You're gonna see extra targets today. Phoenix knows Marcus is the primary threat, so they gonna try to take him away. That means you and Elijah gotta step up."
"I'm ready, Coach. Been ready."
"Good. And on defense, you're on Martinez. He's their best route runner. Stick to him like glue."
"Say less. That boy ain't catching nothing while I'm out there."
This is it. This is my moment to show I'm not just Marcus's sidekick. I'm my own player.
---
Phoenix Elite got the ball first, and Deshawn was already in his defensive mindset. Line up across from Martinez, reading his stance and alignment.
Martinez got that outside shade. He's thinking quick slant or hitch. Nah, his weight's on his inside foot. He's gonna try to stem outside then break in.
Rivera came to the line calling signals. "Blue 42! Blue 42!"
Blue 42 - that's their hot route call. Quick game underneath. Here we go.
At the snap, Martinez used a jab step outside, exactly like Deshawn predicted. But instead of biting on the fake, Deshawn stayed patient.
Come on, Tony. Show me what you really trying to do.
Martinez drove outside for three steps, then planted his right foot and broke hard inside on a quick slant. Deshawn was ready.
Too easy. I been watching film all day.
Deshawn broke on the route at the same time as Martinez, his hands shooting up to deflect the pass. Rivera's throw was accurate, but Deshawn's positioning was perfect.
The ball hit Deshawn's fingertips and bounced into the air. He tried to secure the interception but couldn't quite bring it in.
INCOMPLETEPASS.
"I see you, Martinez!" Deshawn said, getting up. "I know all your moves, bro!"
"Lucky guess," Martinez replied, but his confidence was shaken.
Lucky? Bitch, that was pure study. I know you better than you know yourself.
---
Rivera came back to Martinez on second down, this time calling for a comeback route at 12 yards.
Deshawn read Martinez's alignment again. He's sitting back a little deeper. Weight on his back foot. Comeback route coming.
At the snap, Martinez accelerated vertically, his eyes focused downfield to sell the deep route. Deshawn backpedaled with him, staying in perfect position.
He's gonna break at 12 yards. Always does. Right... about... now.
Martinez planted his left foot and broke back toward Rivera, but Deshawn was already driving on the route. His anticipation was perfect.
Rivera's throw was on target, but Deshawn was there at the same time as Martinez. Both players went for the ball, Deshawn trying to undercut the route while Martinez tried to secure the catch.
The ball arrived with both players' hands on it. Deshawn managed to get his right hand on the ball, causing it to slip through Martinez's fingers.
INCOMPLETEPASS.
"That's two!" Deshawn celebrated. "You can't run on me, bro!"
Martinez was getting frustrated. "Man, you just guessing!"
Guessing? I'm reading you like a book, son.
----
Rivera was forced to go to his other receivers, but they couldn't create separation against the Flight Boys' secondary. Phoenix Elite punted after going three-and-out.
That's how you start a game. Set the tone early.
----
Tristain brought the offense to the line, and Deshawn was ready to show his route-running skills.
"Gun trips left," Tristain called. "Deshawn, dig route at 15. Find the hole in coverage."
Dig route at 15. My favorite. Time to show these scouts what I can do.
Deshawn lined up in the slot against Phoenix's safety, Brandon Rodriguez. The coverage looked like Cover 2 with both safeties splitting the field deep.
Rodriguez playing about 8 yards off. He's trying to jump any underneath route. But the dig route should be right in the window between him and the linebacker.
At the snap, Deshawn used a speed release, accelerating vertically to sell the seam route. Rodriguez was backpedaling, trying to stay in position to cover deep routes.
He's buying the seam fake. Perfect. Time to make my break.
At exactly 15 yards, Deshawn planted his right foot with explosive force, his cleats tearing up turf as he broke hard inside. The move was so sudden that Rodriguez was still backpedaling when Deshawn made his cut.
Tristain had been watching the safety's movement throughout his drop. When he saw Deshawn break into the open window, he was already in his throwing motion.
Ball's coming. Focus, D. Catch this shit clean.
The ball arrived right on time, hitting Deshawn in the hands at chest level. He secured it cleanly and immediately looked upfield for extra yardage.
COMPLETION. 15 yards.
Money. That's how you run a route.
"Clean route!" Tristain called out as they lined up for the next play.
"Always is," Deshawn replied with confidence.
---
Three plays later, the Flight Boys were in the red zone. Tristain was looking for his reliable targets in tight coverage.
"Gun doubles right," he called. "Deshawn, corner route. Beat single coverage."
Corner route in the red zone. This is money for me. Rodriguez trying to play single coverage? Bad idea.
Deshawn lined up wide, reading Rodriguez's alignment. The safety was playing about 6 yards off, trying to stay in position to cover multiple routes.
He's playing scared. Sitting back trying to react to whatever I run. Time to make him pay.
At the snap, Deshawn used a jab release to the inside, causing Rodriguez to bite slightly on the fake. Then he accelerated outside, driving the safety deeper with his vertical stem.
He's backing up. Good. Now I make my move.
At 10 yards, Deshawn sold the fade route perfectly with his eyes and shoulders, causing Rodriguez to continue backpedaling toward the back of the end zone.
Then Deshawn planted his outside foot and broke toward the corner of the end zone. The move was so crisp that Rodriguez was left grasping at air.
Too easy. This boy can't cover me.
Tristain's throw was placed perfectly in the corner, where only Deshawn could reach it. Deshawn had to jump slightly to secure the ball, bringing it down with both hands while keeping both feet inbounds.
TOUCHDOWN. FLIGHTBOYS7-0.
That's what I'm talking about! Two-way player showing out on both sides!
"Deshawn Washington!" he screamed after scoring, pointing to the sky. "Remember that name!"
Martinez jogged past as the teams switched sides. "Nice route," he admitted grudgingly.
"Appreciate you," Deshawn replied. "But I ain't done yet."
---
Phoenix Elite's next drive started with renewed urgency. They needed to answer to avoid falling behind early.
Rivera looked to attack Deshawn's coverage, thinking the receiver might be tired from playing both ways.
They think I'm tired? I'm just getting warmed up.
"Gun spread!" Rivera called. "Hot route on three!"
Martinez lined up directly across from Deshawn again, but this time he had help underneath from a linebacker.
They bringing extra help now. That's respect right there.
At the snap, Martinez ran a speed route - a quick hitch designed to get the ball out fast before Deshawn could make a play.
But Deshawn had been expecting it. Quick hitch. Same route he runs when they need easy completion. I'm ready.
Martinez broke back at 6 yards, but Deshawn was already driving on the route. His break was so fast that he nearly intercepted the pass, his hands reaching the ball at the same time as Martinez.
The contact was significant, both players fighting for position. Martinez managed to secure the ball, but Deshawn immediately stripped at it, trying to force a fumble.
Can't let him get comfortable. Gotta make every catch difficult.
COMPLETION. 6 yards, but Deshawn had made his presence felt.
"You gonna have to work for everything!" Deshawn said, getting up. "Every single catch!"
"I know," Martinez replied, breathing hard. "You playing good ball."
Damn right I am. And I'm just getting started.
----
The rest of the first half continued with Deshawn making plays on both sides of the ball. He added another reception for 22 yards on a beautiful double move route, and nearly had two more interceptions on defense.
At halftime, the Flight Boys led 21-7, and Deshawn was having the game of his life.
"D, you balling out there!" Marcus said as they headed to the break.
"Told y'all I was nice," Deshawn replied. "Just needed the opportunity to show it."
His phone was buzzing with notifications - social media mentions, college coaches reaching out, recruiting analysts tweeting about his performance.
This is what I been working for. All them years of being overlooked, being called Marcus's sidekick... this my time to shine.
Coach Taylor gathered the team for halftime adjustments.
"Deshawn's showing what a complete football player looks like," he said. "Defense, offense, special situations - he's impacting the game everywhere."
Damn right. And this just the first half.
"Keep playing like this, and we close this series out," Coach Taylor continued. "One more half, then we're in the semifinals."
Deshawn looked around at his teammates, then across the field at Phoenix Elite. They looked demoralized, like they were already thinking about Game 3.
Nah. Ain't gonna be no Game 3. We ending this shit today.
HALFTIME SCORE: Flight Boys 21 - Phoenix Elite 7