NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2019 Music City Showdown went down without a hitch and ended up being a tremendous day of football competition that saw PME from Alabama come away with the tourney title.
Several programs from across the southern region embarked on Nashville for a great weekend of football action. The day went over smoothly where we saw a lot of in-state talent compete against other and show early on how exciting the upcoming 2019 fall season will be.
For the tournament host team College Bound Athletics, it was another learning experience. Things might not have gone the way everyone wanted, with no CBA teams advancing past the second round of bracket play, but it was a lesson to be learned on how to play and compete going forward.
White Squad Wins The Day For CBA
The continued progression and play of the White Squad 15U team was the highlight of the day for the CBA squad.
The 15-and-under team played tough in Nashville, never backing down from their competition and going 2-and-1 through pool play. Their action during pool play placed them as the number-2 seed and a favorite going forward, but an upset in round one knocked them out early in the bracket.
Regardless of their early exit, the White Squad showed for the second tournament in a row how much of a team they are becoming and how bright their futures can be on the 7-on-7 field.
Early-on players like Jayden Satterfield, Jonathan Gain, Isaiah Sembiring, Collin Smith, Fisher Donovan and others have established themselves as key components on this White team and prospects that have talents to take them further in the game of football.
A new player to the White Squad made his debut this past weekend in 2024 QB Braden Graham. The middle school product shows early poise and knowledge for his position and a comfortability being on the field. The more action he gets, the more his talents will shine.
Don’t be surprised to see this White Squad come away with a 15U tournament championship sooner rather than later.
Gold Squad Steps Up Play While Black Squad Falters
Both CBA Elite Gold and Black teams sport prospects full of talent that will likely be playing football on Saturdays in the fall, but so far this 7-on-7 season, things have been relatively inconsistent for both teams.
Neither team have put together consistent performances nor shown their true maximum abilities thus far. During the first weekend of the season for tournament play in Gatlinburg, it was the Black Squad that stole the show reaching the quarterfinals, while the Gold team struggled going 0-4 on the day.
On CBA’s home field, the roles were reversed and the Black Squad finished the day 1-3, losing in the first round of bracket play while the Gold team went 2-3 on the day, winning their first round matchup in bracket play, but faltering in the second round to Elite 3 Gray, 23-13.
It wasn’t the best of performances from either team, but it was a step up in play for the Gold Squad. Plays were being made as athletes began to feel more comfortable playing with their teammates. It was obvious that confidence was being built by the Gold team, as several players like Demick Starling, Austin Henderson and Jacob Lann made big plays on multiple occasions throughout the day’s action, giving the rest of the team strength to create their own big plays.
If the Black Squad had a shining star at the Music City Showdown, then it was Goodpasture (TN) Ath Vincent Hamer. The 6-foot-3 wideout has been working a lot on defense this off-season at cornerback and safety and has really taken to the new roles and shined. He had a great individual performance at the Music City Showdown where he displayed coverage skills and ball skills and seemed to play with a different competitive nature.
The more the Cougar senior-to-be plays like this on either side of the ball, the more collegiate college coaches will take notice.
Green & Steel Squad’s Battle In Bracket Play
A winless day through pool play for both the Green and Steel squads pitted them against each other of round one of bracket play, where it all came down to the end and one play.
The game, tied at 27-27 with the Steel Squad on offense, saw them yards away from winning, but an interception that fell in the hands of 2021 Hillsboro (TN) CB/S Jaelyn Patterson sealed the deal and the win for the Green team, and allowed the team to advance into the second round of bracket play.
It was a hard-fought game that showed the competitive nature and potential for both teams but it was the Green Squad that made that one extra play needed.
The Steel Squad finished the Music City Showdown at 0-4, but played much better compared to their first performance in Gatlinburg. The team showed the desire it takes to win, however, it didn’t quite translate to victories.
The two standouts for the Steel Squad were 2022 Brentwood (TN) QB Davis White and 2022 Ravenwood (TN) Ath Lee Mollette. The two underclassmen had a good rapport with each other on the day and made plays at key times in their games. White showed poise and accuracy while Mollette showed big play ability and strong hands. Both have bright futures ahead of them.
For the Green Squad, who went down in round two of bracket play to DreamTeam Knoxville, showed signs of improvement, but still showed a ways to go in their progression as a team.
2021 MBA (TN) QB David DeRocher also had standout moments throughout the day. He led the offense to many scores, but didn’t receive much help from the defensive side of the ball. Defensively is where the Green team has the most room for improvement; they gave up many big plays and could improve by playing more cohesive together.