Which central Pennsylvania athletes will be lighting up high school football scoreboards in the latter half of the decade? A good place to start would be the members of the SWAG 7v7 team of middle school and junior high aged student-athletes.
On July 12, that SWAG 7v7 team triumphed at Pittsburgh Pylon Football's inaugural Toney Clemons Steel City 7v7 where top middle school-age football players, some from as far away as Chicago, flooded the Highmark Stadium Complex.
SWAG played a total of six football games, winning them all, including a dramatic championship triumph against the BOOM team from Chicago.
Here's a rundown of the championship game:
- SWAG entered the final matched against the equally talented Midwest BOOM team from Chicago.
- With under a minute remaining, Chase Diehl threw a bullet touchdown to Tim Kater .
- SWAG went for the game-tying 2-point conversion and found success when Diehl found Patrick Duggan (Cedar Cliff) who ripped down the catch among a slew of defenders.
- Regulation play ended with the score 14-14. Pylon 7v7 overtime rules specify that the winner is determined by the team with the deepest completion in just one play.
- BOOM was up first. Their quarterback throws the ball which is deflected by Tim Kater. SWAG now needed only a completed pass for the win.
- On the snap, BOOM utilized a blitz which left Chase Diehl scrambling to the right. Diehl eluded defenders and hurled a pass in the area of Mason Krout. Krout overcame the defender for a 15-yard game-winning catch.
More tournament highlights:
- SWAG consisted of the following players: Chase Diehl (Cedar Cliff); Patrick Duggan (Cedar Cliff); Sincere Jackson (Eastern Christian Academy); Michael Jones (Bishop McDevitt); Tim Kater (Bishop McDevitt); Mason Krout (Cedar Cliff); Alexander Lantz (Cedar Cliff); Derek Reitz (Cedar Cliff); Nick Yarenvich (Cedar Cliff).
- Chase Diehl was named tournament MVP.
- Alex Lantz was given a stand-out player award during pool play.
SWAG team player highlights:
- Michael Jones had three interceptions and many pass breakups.
- Tim Kater provided field vision on offense and defense, contributing a touchdown reception and overtime defensive play in the championship game.
- Derek Reitz played lockdown linebacker, shutting down the middle of the field. He was also a target on offense picking up valuable first downs.
- Mason Krout, playing injured, was defending passes, scoring touchdowns and making receptions providing added momentum to the team.
- Chase Diehl was fortunate enough to have many athletic targets around him. Diehl made split second decisions threading the needle across the middle and deep downfield leading the offensive charge.
- Nick Yarnevich stood his ground on defense breaking up passes at safety and corner. While on offense, he tallied up receptions and touchdowns discouraging the opposing defense.
- Alex Lantz, joining SWAG for the first time, made a bold statement on offense and defense with his speed and aggressiveness. Lantz recorded several touchdowns and defended many passed to stop the opponent's offense.
- Pat Duggan brings toughness and intimidation to the field. At corner, Duggan impressed NFL Receiver Toney Clemons with his ability to eliminate the opponent's receivers from the play with tight man-to-man coverage. On offense, he added receptions and running plays moving SWAG down the field.
- Prior to this event, all eyes were on Sincere Jackson. Jackson's physical appearance is enough to turn heads. On the field, the opponent's defense showed their respects with double coverage most of the time, but they were still unable to keep him out of the end zone. Jackson also played a physical defensive game.
Expect these names to start gaining more attention in the upcoming months as these players begin their 2014 football season workouts with their respective teams.