NLG 18u: An Elite NJ 7v7 Squad

NLG had themselves a weekend to remember at the PRZ PA Classic 7v7 tournament. Despite a tough start on Saturday, finishing 1-2 with two tightly contested losses that could have easily swung in their favor, the squad bounced back strong on Sunday with a dominant 2-1 showing. Out of 44 teams, NLG battled their way into the top 16, showcasing grit, talent, and serious potential. Led by an elite quarterback and a roster full of emerging playmakers, there's no question—big things are ahead for this group.    Zach impressed me once again this past weekend, continuing to build on the strong reputation he's earned over the years. Having watched him at multiple PRZ Combines, I've seen firsthand how much poise and skill he brings to the field—and this performance only solidified my belief that he's one of the top 2028 quarterbacks in New Jersey. He moved the ball with ease, showing calmness under pressure, a strong arm, and impressive precision on deep throws. One of the highlights came Saturday, when he delivered a tight spiral to the back of the end zone, perfectly placed over defenders for a touchdown. He followed that up with a beautifully timed wheel route strike to [player_tooltip player_id='1453967' first='James' last='Pemberton'], showing his feel for timing and accuracy. Alongside [player_tooltip player_id='972082' first='Gavin' last='Gilardi'], Zach was easily one of the best signal-callers from New Jersey all weekend.     [player_tooltip player_id='1453967' first='James' last='Pemberton'] was without question one of the top players New Jersey brought to the PRZ PA Classic 7v7. An electric presence on both sides of the ball, James shined as a dynamic receiver with elite hops, strong hands, and the ability to create separation with his sprinter-like speed. As a route runner, he consistently burned defenders, showing sharp breaks and quick acceleration. On defense, he was just as impactful—playing safety with his head on a swivel, displaying impressive range, quick hips, and fluid change of direction. Whether making plays in the air or locking things down in coverage, James proved he's the real deal.     Slim and built for speed, Yasin Hogue showed off his elite quickness at the PRZ PA Classic. With long, powerful strides, he was able to accelerate off the line in a flash, making him a nightmare for defenders to stay in front of. His explosiveness in and out of cuts made his route running crisp and dangerous, allowing him to create separation with ease. Yasin rose the bar this weekend—and with his junior season on the horizon, there's a lot to be excited about.     Darold was a true lockdown cornerback at the PRZ PA Classic, putting together an impressive weekend on both sides of the ball. Time and time again, he found himself matched up against the opposing team's top receiver—and he welcomed the challenge. Physical at the line and aggressive in coverage, Darold thrives on jamming receivers early and throwing off their rhythm. He's a gritty, competitive defender who isn't afraid to get in a receiver's head and stay there. And while defense is his calling card, he also made key contributions on offense, hauling in a few nice catches and proving his value as a versatile athlete.

NLG had themselves a weekend to remember at the PRZ PA Classic 7v7 tournament. Despite a tough start on Saturday, finishing 1-2 with two tightly contested losses that could have easily swung in their favor, the squad bounced back strong on Sunday with a dominant 2-1 showing. Out of 44 teams, NLG battled their way into the top 16, showcasing grit, talent, and serious potential. Led by an elite quarterback and a roster full of emerging playmakers, there's no question—big things are ahead for this group.