Official Carolina 8th Grade FBU National Championship Preview
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Get Familiar: This Team Carolina has gone by various names in the past, however the epicenter of it all seems to be Charlotte and the greater Charlotte area. They have participated in each year of the tournament dating back to…
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Continue ReadingGet Familiar: This Team Carolina has gone by various names in the past, however the epicenter of it all seems to be Charlotte and the greater Charlotte area. They have participated in each year of the tournament dating back to 2011 but have never experienced championship week in Naples. With that said, there is a lot of optimism around this squad and some of the elite athletes they have planning to line up between the hashes. Will they break through for the first time?
How they’ll light it up: This is a coaching staff of largely high school coaches and they tell me they’re going to be running a high school style offense, as oppose to something simpler that a youth program would execute. They’re excited about what they have up front with coaches saying “it’s the first time I’ve had an offensive line that can protect.” With that in mind, they build this team from inside out and will run multiples sets to attempt to keep defenses off balance with assignments.
How they’ll shut it down: They plan to run a base 4-3 because of the various degrees of complexity the offenses will run at them. They believe a 4-3 gives them the advantage against any potential run-heavy teams, but still allows them to load up the linebackers and secondary with athletes. So much so, that they’re excited to get into some 4-2-5 sets because of the length, speed and amount of ground their defensive backs can cover.
Mt. Rushmore
Scottland Dover Scottland Dover 6'4" | 305 lbs | OL Gaffney | 2026 State SC | Offensive Line/Defensive Line
We’ve talked about Dover a number of times already this season but he’s worth all the hype. A big two-way lineman who should end up being a big-time prospect when all is said and done. Look for him to play left tackle on offense and keep his quarterback(s) clean throughout the tournament. Defensively if teams are smart they’ll double team him and do as much as possible to keep out of his grasp.
Ra’keith Kelly | Athlete
Kelly is a dangerous athlete with the ball in his hands and I fully expect Team Carolina to treat him as such. Look for Kelly to bounce back and forth from slot receiver to running back. He’s one of the most impressive 2026’s I’ve seen on the east coast and he could be poised for a breakout tournament if things go his way. As a receiver he has excellent run-after-catch ability and has the ability to create for himself.
J’Zavien Currence J’Zavien Currence 6'2" | 190 lbs | ATH South Pointe | 2026 State SC | Defensive Back
Currence, otherwise known as Fat Jay, is an elite talent on the middle school level. At 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds, he’s a well-built kid who just looks different out there on the field. During his middle school season he played wide receiver, quarterback and defensive back. For Team Carolina, expect him to be on the many stars they’re excited about in the secondary. Whether he plays safety or corner, he’s going to have the ability to shut down his side.
KJ Gillespie | Tight End/Defensive End
While I don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict where Gillespie will end up as his career plays out, I can guarantee that he will make plays for Team Carolina on both sides of the ball during this tournament. He was an All-Top Gun performer this past July as a defensive end. During the regular season he lined up as a Wildcat quarterback, running back and tight end. When his big body starts rumbling in open field, dudes duck out of the way rather than try to bring him down.
Offensive Ballers to Know
- Faizon Brandon | Quarterback
- Brody Norman | Quarterback/Athlete
- Laramey Watson | Running Back
- Anthony Cook Anthony Cook 6'0" | 250 lbs | OL North Meck | 2026 NC | Offensive Line
Defensive Ballers to Know
- Samari Matthews | Defensive Back
- Miles Wilson | Defensive Line
- Chris HillIard | Defensive Line
- Jordan Cleaves | Defensive Back