Notes, standouts from Belly of the Beast 7v7 tournament

Tons of talented young players from all over Louisiana and even some spilling in from Mississippi met at Nicholls State this weekend for the “Belly of the Beast” tournament hosted by the Thibodaux-based Naturals.

The two-day event featured 18U, 15U, 14U and 12U divisions and saw a wide range of prospects generating buzz from already-headline names to even the youngsters having fun competing before following the older student-athletes’ footsteps to their local high schools.

Here are a few notes and names on some current high school standouts from the weekend, starting with a couple of title-winning organizations.

With four fields going at all times, the list is extensive, but not necessarily complete. Also, given the Louisiana focus of the site and more than 60 names already mentioned, we didn’t branch out even farther to out-of-state standouts such as Mississippi cornerback PJ Woodland, who had a great weekend with the Bayou/River Bootleggers.

JackBoyz

A few seniors participated in the tournament, which isn’t typical of bigger events and circuits but does occur in some limited instances and circumstances. And one of the notable 2023 prospects, St. Mary’s quarterback Adam Parker Adam Parker 5'11" | QB St. Mary's | 2023 State LA , helped lead the predominantly central Louisiana-based JackBoyz to the 18U title. The Southern Arkansas-bound passer settled into a rhythm and chemistry with his receivers and started connecting for darts all over the field to fellow senior Derek Patterson of McDonogh 35, juniors Jac Comeaux Jac Comeaux 5'11" | WR Dunham | 2024 State LA Jr. of Dunham and Amyrion Mingo Amyrion Mingo 5'11" | WR Alexandria Senior | 2024 State LA of Alexandria and the rest of the group. The speedy Comeaux shone in particular during bracket play on Sunday as the team’s top vertical threat, while Mingo showed his versatility during the weekend also playing a lot of snaps at safety.

N.O. Dolphins

A pair of Edna Karr teammates were among the standouts for the New Orleans-based Dolphins’ “Top Jacks” squad that won the 15U tournament. Long, rangy 2026 safety Aiden Hall Aiden Hall 6'2" Edna Karr | 2026 State LA , with LSU and Ole Miss already among his early offers, covered tons of ground on the back end. The same can be said for 2025 safety Arsenio Bolds Jr., the highly communicative defensive quarterback nicknamed “Ace,” whether playing the back end or up in a backer role in the middle of the field. Bolds has recently sprouted from about 5-foot-8 or 5-foot-9 to closer to 5-foot-11 with a thick frame and appears ready in his development both physically and as a leader to step into a larger role anticipated of him as an upperclassman for the Cougars this fall.

The Dolphins’ 18U group, which reached the semifinals before following short in a close matchup with the JackBoyz, also featured one of the event’s breakout stars in receiver Darnell O’Quinn Darnell O’Quinn 5'11" | WR Helen Cox | 2024 State LA . The long, lean Helen Cox standout looked like and stretched the field vertically like a track standout he is with a 52.61-second 400-meter time that’s among the best in his school’s history. But he also showcased a well-rounded game going over defenders and high-pointing highlight-reel catches, working the middle of the field on slants and the back of the end zone on goal-line plays.

Naturals

The host team featured its share of standouts during a weekend of strong showings at all levels, including a 12U championship. Among the Naturals’ best high school performers were: highly productive Bogalusa quarterback Ashton Levi Ashton Levi 6'0" | QB Bogalusa | 2024 State LA , who looked in complete control of the field for stretches as he spread the ball around to a deep receiving corps with precision; quick East St. John receiver D’Khai Joseph D’Khai Joseph 5'10" | WR East St. John | 2024 State LA , who cut up opposing defenses with his route-running; big E.D. White receiver Paxton Lafont Paxton Lafont 6'4" | WR E.D. White | 2024 State LA , competing on the field of the program where his father played and that extended his first offer; explosive 2025 running back and slot weapon Jaylon Coleman Jaylon Coleman 5'9" | ATH Vandebilt Catholic | 2025 State LA of Vandebilt Catholic; physical Mandeville cornerback Tasmin Showers Tasmin Showers 5'10" | DB Mandeville | 2024 State LA ; and, for the 15U squad, the 2026 Destrehan duo of quarterback Jackson Fields Jackson Fields 6'2" | QB Destrehan | 2026 State LA and speedy receiver Gregory Wilfred and Ellender freshman Jaden Carter.

F3 Elite

The Baton Rouge-based F3, one of the most talented organizations in attendance, factored heavily into the title chase at multiple levels, including a championship-game run in 18U. Denham Springs corner Maison Vorise Maison Vorise 5'11" | DB Denham Springs | 2024 State LA may have been the top performer of a defense full of standouts, including high school teammate Da’Shawn McBryde Da’Shawn McBryde 6'3" | DB Denham Springs | 2024 State LA ; University Lab teammates Marcus Dawson Jr., Tony Burns Tony Burns 6'1" | DB University Lab | 2024 State LA and Keylan Moses Keylan Moses 6'2" | ATH University Lab | 2025 State LA ; Colorado-committed Lafayette Christian star Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 5'11" | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA ; red-hot Southern Lab defensive back Dylan Day Dylan Day 6'0" | DB Southern Lab | 2024 State LA ; and a breakout performer in 2025 Central (Baton Rouge) athlete Steven Ranel. Vorise had a pair of early interceptions and five for the weekend overall, including an acrobatic leaping snatch at the goal-line during a tight and tense bracket game. Daniel Beale Daniel Beale 6'2" | QB Catholic (Baton Rouge) | 2024 State LA (2024) of Catholic (BR) led the offense, with Caleb Gonzales Caleb Gonzales 5'9" | QB Zachary | 2025 State LA (2025) of Zachary also earning series. Record-setting 2024 University Lab receiver Granville Anderson II Granville Anderson II 5'10" | ATH University Lab | 2024 State LA was a focal point with catches all over the field, and quick 2025 route-runner in Semaj Pierre Semaj Pierre 5'8" | WR Port Arthur Memorial | 2025 TX of Madison Prep and Zay Martin Zay Martin 5'9" | WR University Lab | 2025 State LA of University Lab and big targets Amari Clayton Amari Clayton 6'2" | WR Catholic (Baton Rouge) | 2025 State LA of Catholic (Baton Rouge) and McBryde garnering some offensive snaps were among other notable weapons.

NOLA HotBoy$

Another of the most talented teams in attendance was the New Orleans-based HotBoy$. John Ehret defensive back Wardell Mack Wardell Mack 6'1" | DB John Ehret | 2024 State LA was the highest-ranked rising senior in attendance, according to the Prep Redzone Louisiana rankings. A roster that included Anthony Robinson III Anthony Robinson III 6'0" | ATH Destrehan | 2024 State LA (2024), Phillip Wright (2025), Jhase Thomas (2025), Johnnie Thiel IV Johnnie Thiel IV 6'0" | WR Destrehan | 2025 State LA (2025) and Jabari Mack Jabari Mack 6'0" | WR Destrehan | 2026 State LA (2026), among others, was one of the clearest examples (of many) of how loaded reigning Division-I non-select champion Destrehan will be for years to come. Michael Turner Michael Turner 6'1" | ATH John Curtis | 2024 State LA Jr., a two-way standout for Division-I select champion John Curtis, was a top pass-catcher. And underrated West Jefferson receiver Shaun Nicholas Shaun Nicholas 6'2" | WR West Jefferson | 2024 State LA and Edna Karr defensive back Shavez Morris may have been among the best at their respective positions throughout the weekend.

318 HotBoyz

Another set of HotBoyz from the opposite corner of the state was another top program to watch at multiple divisions, with a 2027 quarterback in future Calvary Baptist star Peyton Houston Peyton Houston 5'11" | QB LA playing up in age (more on him in the quick 2027 and 2028 rundown) and still throwing some of the best balls of any passer throughout the weekend. Rising junior safety Tre Fuller Tre Fuller 6'2" | DB Captain Shreve | 2025 State LA joined the team Sunday after visiting LSU on Saturday and looked like one of the state’s best players in his class. Two-way 2024 Calvary Baptist standout Xavier McGlothan Xavier McGlothan 5'9" | ATH Calvary Baptist | 2024 State LA , a likely nickel in college, was a go-to receiver, particularly deep; 2026 Captain Shreve athlete Jamarcea Plater Jamarcea Plater 5'8" Captain Shreve | 2026 State LA was an impact player on both sides of the ball; and 2026 Parkway receiver Antonio Gladney Antonio Gladney 5'10" Parkway | 2026 State LA was a standout for the 15U team that should we a well-known name around the state in coming years.

River/Bayou Bootleggers

East Ascension standout Brennon Thompson Brennon Thompson 6'0" | ATH East Ascension | 2024 State LA continued his strong spring after returning late in the fall season from injury, and the St. James duo of quarterback Brayden Williams Brayden Williams 6'0" | QB St. James | 2024 State LA and receiver Kobe Brown Kobe Brown 5'10" | WR St. James | 2024 State LA helped lead the offense as they have since their younger days within the organization.

NOLA Bootleggers

The New Orleans regional branch of Louisiana’s nationally prominent organization focused primarily on its younger divisions with some high-level 2026, 2027 and 2028 talent on hand. A few more names will come up in the 2027 and 2028 rundown, but a couple freshmen of note were Brodie DuMontier Brodie DuMontier 6'0" | WR Brother Martin | 2026 State LA (Brother Martin), Anton Ross (Rummel) and Dwain Swilley (Riverdale).

4th Quarter Mentality

The Lafayette-based group had multiple teams in attendance, including two in the 18U bracket. Long, athletic Beau Chene receiver Matthew Mayfield Matthew Mayfield 6'2" | WR Beau Chene | 2024 State LA stood out as a touchdown threat from anywhere on the field with St. Thomas Aquinas athlete Cace Reed Cace Reed 5'9" | WR St. Thomas Aquinas | 2024 State LA and St. Thomas More running back Hutch Swilley Hutch Swilley 5'11" | RB St. Thomas More | 2024 State LA among other pass catchers who found the end zone repeatedly throughout the weekend. Rangy, flexible and aggressive cornerback Bernard Causey Bernard Causey 6'0" | DB John F. Kennedy | 2024 State LA played with the group this weekend and showed flashes of his high potential as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2024 class. St. Thomas More freshman Cole Bergeron Cole Bergeron 6'4" | QB St. Thomas More | 2026 State LA continues to show potential as one of the state’s top quarterbacks for the 2026 class. And two-way Booker T. Washington athlete Nathan Green, the younger cousin of Terrace Marshall Jr., was another notable 2026 prospect to watch.

Louisiana Elite

Pineville quarterback Jaylan Witty led Louisiana Elite’s 18U offense, with local standout Kylan Billiot Kylan Billiot 6'4" | WR Terrebonne | 2024 State LA of Terrebonne and Plaquemine’s Aidan Joseph among his lead targets. St. Augustine corner Charles Gurley III and Warren Easton defensive back Ivin Clark, a pair of long, rangy athletes in the secondary, were among the defensive standouts. The 15U team also included some intriguing young standouts such as 6-foot-4 Madison Prep freshman receiver Jarvis Washington, speedy Terrebonne freshman Alvin Celestin and two-way Central (Baton Rouge) freshman standout Keithon Womack.

Runnin Bayou

Covington 2025 cornerback Jeremie Elzy had a great weekend with Runnin Bayou 15U.