Pylon 7on7 DC: Tournament Standouts

On March 26th-27th Pylon 7on7 was held in Washington, D.C. and hosted some of the area's best athletes. We had the opportunity to see some familiar faces and newfound talent show off their skills. Below we will take a look at the players who stood out the most.. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/james-harris-crop-400x263-1648575957.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312825 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/james-harris-crop-400x263-1648575957-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="272350" first="James" last="Harris"] Lengthy DB with exceptional ball skills. He stands at about 6'1-6'2 and plays very well in zone coverage. He plays on a very talent Charles Herbert Flowers HS defense with 2 D1 prospects, it will be interesting to see how the rest of his offseason goes. Keep an eye on Harris next season as he will have more opportunity to make plays with the increase in targets he'll get. https://twitter.com/stackchassinjay/status/1508200621018603534?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/melzer-crop-400x263-1648575722.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312820 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/melzer-crop-400x263-1648575722-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="160501" first="Campbell" last="Melzer"] Melzers film shows him playing a lot of DB but during this tournament he was tearing defenses apart at WR. He's very athletic, shifty, and can climb the ladder for high passes. He plays with an intensity that doesn't dim, he's at 100mph every play. https://twitter.com/Cammelzer2023/status/1460306751887134731?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A <img class="size-medium wp-image-312812 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Micah-Gates-crop-400x263-1648575327-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Micah Gates|2024| 6'0 | WR | Hempfield High School Landisville, PA <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15909207/61919c96ab9d73007c11fbe7">Sophomore Szn - Micah Gates highlights - Hudl</a> Gates pulled in some great catches showcasing his catch radius and high point ability. He's a silent weapon, doesn't talk trash or showboat but when his team needed a big play, they could throw it up to Micah in 1-on-1 coverage. Gates came down with 3 jump ball TD's on day 2 of the tournament helping lead his team to the championship round. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Braden-Laux-crop-400x263-1648574985.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312810 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Braden-Laux-crop-400x263-1648574985-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Braden Laux | 2024 | QB |6'4 190lbs| Belle Vernon HS | Bell Vernon, PA Laux showed off good arm strength and ball placement for his playmakers. He led his team to the semifinal round and played very competitive games all day. His composer impressed as his demeanor and facial expressions never showed signs of worry or stress, he was locked in for day 2. https://twitter.com/210ths/status/1225647680354828288?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/kennel-1-crop-400x263-1648577134.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312858 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/kennel-1-crop-400x263-1648577134-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="256168" first="Landon" last="Kennel"] Kennel was an absolute weapon for his team. 1-on-1 you could almost guarantee he was coming down with the ball. Every time it was thrown his way deep down the field you hold your breath for a big play. He moves well for a 6'3 200lb sophomore, most would try to move him to TE but with his athleticism and contested catch ability he belongs on the outside. https://twitter.com/LandonKennel/status/1457548240572887046?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2225-crop-480x316-1648572169.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312785 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2225-crop-480x316-1648572169-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Naeshaun Montgomery |2025 | WR | 6'0 155lbs | Central Newman HS | Palm Beach, FL This kid is downright talented, he made big play after big play, contested catch after catch. Definitely my tournament MVP, he was very entertaining to watch. Montgomery is transferring from Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island to Central Newman in Florida. Expect his recruiting to explode especially if he produces the same in the hotbed state of Florida that is always crawling with scouts. https://twitter.com/CoachCoreydmv/status/1508892901878681601?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ <img class="size-medium wp-image-312775 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/IMG_2224-crop-480x316-1648572000-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Herlin Perry | 2025 | La Salle Academy Rhode Island| WR/DB | 5'9 140 "Track Star | 6'1 Wingspan | Email: herlinperryjr555@gmail.com| (401) 419-5351 | 3.8 GPA" Perry played lights out at CB in the games I got a chance to see. He may be on the shorter side right now, but he is not the DB to target. After naturally putting on some size over the next 2 years he will be a solid DB prospect with the skillset he showcased. Check out the highlight below showcasing his vertical in coverage. He has good technique and does a great job of playing the ball in the air. https://twitter.com/HerlinPerry5/status/1508135289348403216?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ 18U Champions: Playmakers Elite (Va.) Key Players: https://twitter.com/CoachCoreydmv/status/1508874699505340427?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ <img class="size-medium wp-image-312840 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Duncan-crop-400x263-1648576415-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Aaron Duncan WR|OLB|6'3|Freedom high school, Woodbridge Va.| 2024 Duncan is a big bodied WR who is reliable through contact. He is a weapon across the middle and against smaller DB's who he can shield the ball away from with his body.   Elijah Reid | 5'9 155lbs| WR |Freedom HS| 2024 Reid is a spark plug type of player. He made play after play on offense. What really caught my eye was a drive where he made a big play to get them it the redzone. Then scored the touchdown, then made the 1-pt conversion with an impressive 1 hand snag. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14499026/618d636d2ab1870a48caee5c">SOPHOMORE SZN 4️⃣🙏🏾 - EJ Reid highlights - Hudl</a> <img class="size-medium wp-image-312844 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Hughes-crop-400x263-1648576504-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="295791" first="Jachai" last="Hughes"] Jachai is a familiar face; I had the opportunity to see him play early at last year's FBU Baltimore camp, where he won DB MVP. Talent and potential are very high in this young athlete. He plays patient an reacts to what he sees not what he thinks. I look forward to seeing Jachai again at FBU Baltimore. I talked to him after winning the Pylon Championship and he says he's looking forward to coming to Baltimore to win another FBU MVP. https://twitter.com/TheJachaiHughes/status/1508621585275568129?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ https://twitter.com/TheJachaiHughes/status/1508954948997894151?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Evans-crop-400x263-1648576579.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312849 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/Evans-crop-400x263-1648576579-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Tristan Evans | QB | 5'10 150lbs| Freedom high school, Woodbridge Va.| 2024 Evans made a lot of good decisions during this tournament putting his playmakers in position to make big plays for him. He showed off accuracy at all three level, short, medium and deep passes. https://twitter.com/Tristan09213132/status/1448313726235447298?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ <img class="size-medium wp-image-312852 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/overton-crop-400x263-1648576669-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />Jeffrey Overton | 2025 | RB/FS | Freedom High School (Va.) Overton played a key part in the playmaker's championship run contributing on both sides of the ball. He is very versatile on offense lining up in the backfield and at receiver, at either position he can be used as a weapon. In 2021 he made 1st Team All-District and 1st Team-All Region by racking up 1500 rush yards and 14 TD's and he's only a freshman. The future is bright for this young athlete, expect to hear his name make more noise in Va this season. https://twitter.com/JeffreyOverton1/status/1508818145938653188?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/preston-rotated-crop-400x263-1648576876.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-312854 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/03/preston-rotated-crop-400x263-1648576876-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Carleton Preston |6'0| WR/FS | Freedom HS| 2025 The first thing that came to mind while watching Preston compete was pure speed. He accelerates to full stride after a few steps and fly's past defenders. https://twitter.com/JujuPreston25/status/1458483036471926788?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

On March 26th-27th Pylon 7on7 was held in Washington, D.C. and hosted some of the area's best athletes. We had the opportunity to see some familiar faces and newfound talent show off their skills. Below we will take a look at the players who stood out the most..

James Harris James Harris WR St. John's | 2025 MD

Lengthy DB with exceptional ball skills. He stands at about 6'1-6'2 and plays very well in zone coverage. He plays on a very talent Charles Herbert Flowers HS defense with 2 D1 prospects, it will be interesting to see how the rest of his offseason goes. Keep an eye on Harris next season as he will have more opportunity to make plays with the increase in targets he'll get.

https://twitter.com/stackchassinjay/status/1508200621018603534?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A

Campbell Melzer Campbell Melzer 6'0" | 185 lbs | ATH North Allegheny | 2023 State PA

Melzers film shows him playing a lot of DB but during this tournament he was tearing defenses apart at WR. He's very athletic, shifty, and can climb the ladder for high passes. He plays with an intensity that doesn't dim, he's at 100mph every play.

https://twitter.com/Cammelzer2023/status/1460306751887134731?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A

Micah Gates|2024| 6'0 | WR | Hempfield High School Landisville, PA

Sophomore Szn - Micah Gates highlights - Hudl

Gates pulled in some great catches showcasing his catch radius and high point ability. He's a silent weapon, doesn't talk trash or showboat but when his team needed a big play, they could throw it up to Micah in 1-on-1 coverage. Gates came down with 3 jump ball TD's on day 2 of the tournament helping lead his team to the championship round.

Braden Laux | 2024 | QB |6'4 190lbs| Belle Vernon HS | Bell Vernon, PA

Laux showed off good arm strength and ball placement for his playmakers. He led his team to the semifinal round and played very competitive games all day. His composer impressed as his demeanor and facial expressions never showed signs of worry or stress, he was locked in for day 2.

https://twitter.com/210ths/status/1225647680354828288?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A

Landon Kennel Landon Kennel 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Manheim Township | 2024 State PA

Kennel was an absolute weapon for his team. 1-on-1 you could almost guarantee he was coming down with the ball. Every time it was thrown his way deep down the field you hold your breath for a big play. He moves well for a 6'3 200lb sophomore, most would try to move him to TE but with his athleticism and contested catch ability he belongs on the outside.

https://twitter.com/LandonKennel/status/1457548240572887046?s=20&t=U73FygWc8cHVfGBey3h68A

Naeshaun Montgomery |2025 | WR | 6'0 155lbs | Central Newman HS | Palm Beach, FL

This kid is downright talented, he made big play after big play, contested catch after catch. Definitely my tournament MVP, he was very entertaining to watch. Montgomery is transferring from Bishop Hendricken in Rhode Island to Central Newman in Florida. Expect his recruiting to explode especially if he produces the same in the hotbed state of Florida that is always crawling with scouts.

https://twitter.com/CoachCoreydmv/status/1508892901878681601?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

Herlin Perry | 2025 | La Salle Academy Rhode Island| WR/DB | 5'9 140

"Track Star | 6'1 Wingspan | Email: herlinperryjr555@gmail.com| (401) 419-5351 | 3.8 GPA"

Perry played lights out at CB in the games I got a chance to see. He may be on the shorter side right now, but he is not the DB to target. After naturally putting on some size over the next 2 years he will be a solid DB prospect with the skillset he showcased. Check out the highlight below showcasing his vertical in coverage. He has good technique and does a great job of playing the ball in the air.

https://twitter.com/HerlinPerry5/status/1508135289348403216?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

18U Champions: Playmakers Elite (Va.) Key Players:

https://twitter.com/CoachCoreydmv/status/1508874699505340427?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

Aaron Duncan WR|OLB|6'3|Freedom high school, Woodbridge Va.| 2024

Duncan is a big bodied WR who is reliable through contact. He is a weapon across the middle and against smaller DB's who he can shield the ball away from with his body.

Elijah Reid | 5'9 155lbs| WR |Freedom HS| 2024

Reid is a spark plug type of player. He made play after play on offense. What really caught my eye was a drive where he made a big play to get them it the redzone. Then scored the touchdown, then made the 1-pt conversion with an impressive 1 hand snag.

SOPHOMORE SZN 4️⃣🙏🏾 - EJ Reid highlights - Hudl

Jachaisax Hughes Jachaisax Hughes 5'8" | 145 lbs | DB Freedom | 2025 VA

Jachai is a familiar face; I had the opportunity to see him play early at last year's FBU Baltimore camp, where he won DB MVP. Talent and potential are very high in this young athlete. He plays patient an reacts to what he sees not what he thinks. I look forward to seeing Jachai again at FBU Baltimore. I talked to him after winning the Pylon Championship and he says he's looking forward to coming to Baltimore to win another FBU MVP.

https://twitter.com/TheJachaiHughes/status/1508621585275568129?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

https://twitter.com/TheJachaiHughes/status/1508954948997894151?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

Tristan Evans | QB | 5'10 150lbs| Freedom high school, Woodbridge Va.| 2024

Evans made a lot of good decisions during this tournament putting his playmakers in position to make big plays for him. He showed off accuracy at all three level, short, medium and deep passes.

https://twitter.com/Tristan09213132/status/1448313726235447298?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

Jeffrey Overton | 2025 | RB/FS | Freedom High School (Va.)

Overton played a key part in the playmaker's championship run contributing on both sides of the ball. He is very versatile on offense lining up in the backfield and at receiver, at either position he can be used as a weapon. In 2021 he made 1st Team All-District and 1st Team-All Region by racking up 1500 rush yards and 14 TD's and he's only a freshman. The future is bright for this young athlete, expect to hear his name make more noise in Va this season.

https://twitter.com/JeffreyOverton1/status/1508818145938653188?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ

Carleton Preston |6'0| WR/FS | Freedom HS| 2025

The first thing that came to mind while watching Preston compete was pure speed. He accelerates to full stride after a few steps and fly's past defenders.

https://twitter.com/JujuPreston25/status/1458483036471926788?s=20&t=IxMN4Qa_1MmBNfJvu1VKiQ