FBU National Championship: Eastern Wash. 8th Grade Standouts

Programs around the nation are gearing up for the FBU National Championship tournament and holding tryouts to find the best athletes in their area to compete. The FBU National Championship tournament celebrates and promotes youth football through uniting all-star athletes of all backgrounds from across the United States in a true, one-of-a-kind national tournament. The only national football tournament of its kind, the annual FBU National Championship crowns a national champion from brackets in grades 6th, 7th, and 8th. A few weeks back there was a good turnout for team Eastern Washington and the program has a lot of optimism around it.  The now 8^th graders, made it to championship week back in 2019 when they were in 6^th grade and are hoping to recreate that magical season. The coaching staff is expecting almost 30 players to come back and compete to make the team this year. Here’s a look at some of the 8^th graders that stood out. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-218993 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/LukeHills-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />[player_tooltip player_id="212466" first="Luke" last="Hills"] | 8^th Grade – Class of 2026 | Linebacker</strong> If you’re looking for hands down the top player on Eastern Washington’s 8^th grade squad…look no further than Hills. After Covid derailed Eastern Washington’s 2020 plans, Hills participated in the tournament last year as a member of Team Utah and made tackles all over the field. A two-time All Top Gun selection, he has all the makings of a kid who will be playing on Saturdays in a few years. Respectful, humble, hardworking and tough are just some of the words coaches through around when discussing Hills. [caption id="attachment_218994" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-218994 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BradyJay2-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Facebook[/caption] <strong>Brady Jay | 8^th Grade – Class of 2026 | Quarterback</strong> Jay’s size doesn’t wow you right away, but watching him play, it’s clear why he should be QB1 for Eastern Washington. The fourth year FBU player reads and processes what the defense is showing him so quickly, it’s clear that he is a very intelligent kid. Operating out of the shotgun snap, he get the ball out of his hands in a fraction of a second and more times than not, it’s extremely accurate. Another part of Jay’s game that I like is his ability to create with his feet. In the rare occasion where he doesn’t make a quick decision and has to rely on his scrambling, he has no problem making people miss in a phone booth. <strong><img class="alignleft wp-image-218995 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/BrodyBocek-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" />Brody Bocek | 8^th Grade – Class of 2026 | Wide Receiver</strong> Ask any quarterback and they’ll tell you that having a reliable receiving corps can take a lot of pressure off them—this is where Bocek shines.  A fourth year of FBU player, Bocek is no stranger to this tournament and understands what is needed to find success on this level. He’s an athletic kid who can, and has, played a number of different positions during his youth football career. He’ll line up split out and should be one of the favorite targets through the air for Eastern Washington. <strong>Junior Olivera | 8^th Grade – Class of 2026 | Linebacker</strong> Olivera is everything you want an outside linebacker to be at this level. He’s got the size at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds to fight off blockers on the edge, but also the speed to run with receivers, tight ends and running backs in the slot. He should make a number of plays based off athleticism alone. <strong> Eddie Doherty | 8^th Grade – Class of 2026 | Offensive Line</strong> You might not actually hear Doherty say a word the entire practice, game or tournament during the Eastern Washington FBU run, but that doesn’t mean he’s not working. Doherty is the unquestioned leader up front for the team and he sets the tone. Lining up primarily at guard, he’s an unspoken leader who makes everybody up front, and more importantly the quarterback, feel comfortable on offense. A top gun selection from last year’s Seattle regional camp, he’s a proven commodity up front.