Pylon 7v7 Tournament has Big Showing in Southern California

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Pylon, the nation’s premiere 7v7 tournament, kicked off a two-day tournament on Saturday in Santa Ana (CA) with a big turnout. With 50-plus teams competing from the high school to the youth ranks, the action on the turf was at a peak performance pitting teams from up and down the west coast, and even from other countries, against one another.

In the 14 and under division, the play of Washington’s Heir Football and California’s Ground Zero team stood out. There were several Class of 2024 talents showcasing their abilities with receiver Andre Toliver (Heir Football) and cornerback Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins (Ground Zero) impressing.

Another big presence on the gridiron was Team Makasi and E.A.T (Explosive Athletic Training). Team Makasi brought four teams to the tournament, teams Gold, Black, Grey, and their 7th and 8th grade squad Team Makasi Ballerz.

Be on the lookout for Trust the Process (TTP). Another multi-represented team at the tournament, their squad TTP Choice was without quarterback Matthew Geeting on Saturday, as he was representing Chino Hills High School and TTP at the Elite 11 Regional. This team has the firepower to march to the championship round on Sunday.

One of the unique standouts at Pylon’s tournament this season is Tristan Michaud. Beyond being an elite receiver, and one who is hard to miss towering at 6-foot 5-inches, Michaud laces them up during the season for Canada’s Clarkson Football North. Teams seeking to make it out of pool play will have to deal with the Class of 2021 Iowa State commit and MVP Academy.

Having talent at receiver is the key to winning 7v7 tournaments, and M&D has two who can carry their squad to a championship in Josh Lorick and Rashuan Ramsey. Lorick is a speedy receiver who can score from anywhere on the field with offers in-hand from Florida Atlantic, Nevada, and Wyoming. Ramsey displayed the same type of talents as Adelanto teammate Lorick, especially during the 2019 regular season securing 37 passes for 537 yards with seven touchdowns posted receiving an offer from Arizona State for his efforts.

The action on the field picks back up Sunday morning at 9 a.m. at Carr Intermediate switching from pool play to single-elimination as each team seeks to make a claim for an invite to Pylon’s National Championship Tournament May 23-25.