Emp1re7v7 14U Young Guns Just Getting Warmed Up

It was a busy weekend in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for the <a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzone">@PrepRedzone</a> Sooner State Shootout, which featured well over 100 teams, battling sand-blasting winds on Saturday and rainy weather on Sunday.   Traveling to the Tulsa-area this weekend, I wanted to take a closer look at the highly-regarded 14U teams in action and was very pleased with the level of competition delivered by some of the top 7v7 teams from the surrounding states.   In particular I was impressed with the Emp1re Juice Crew <a href="https://x.com/EMP1RE7v7"></a><a href="https://x.com/EMP1RE7v7">@EMP1RE7v7</a> , a young squad from the Kansas City area who dominated the 12U brackets last season, losing only one tournament all year, but have since moved up to the 14U division this year and are now one of the younger teams competing.   But, these guys are not just any young bunch of 12 and 13-year old 7th graders looking to pay their dues, they are a team of rising-star athletes who are focused on winning now and have no intention of taking a back seat to the older guys.   This weekend they showed glimpses of the high-octane game they play, scoring 118 points in pool play and going undefeated on Saturday (3-0) and then reached the semi's on Sunday to wrap up the weekend with a 4-1 mark.   Not what they wanted, but one step closer to being the best team they can be.   Helping lead the way and mold these young Juice Crew ballers as a coach, mentor and all-around leader has been Coach OJ @ojsimpso32 - a well-known and experienced 7v7 / football coach from the Kansas City area.   So without further adieu, let's take a closer look at a few of the ballers who caught my eye:     Tatum Simpson @simpsontat20433 - (PICTURED ABOVE - making the pick) - up first is a two-way baller who caught my eye this weekend in the Sooner State Shootout with his all-around play on both sides of the ball. He is a 7th grade playmaker who will eventually go to Liberty North (MO) High School and as evidenced in the picture above, is already showing the athleticism required to take his game to the next level. On offense, he can play split wide or in the slot and creates separation right off the snap before rolling into precise routes and finding soft spots in the defense. With the ball in hand he is elusive with good burst and piles on big yards after the catch. On defense he uses aggressive read and react skills and closing speed to track the ball and disrupt passing schemes. This guy is the real-deal, get him on your watchlists.   Landry Lierman @landrylierman - next up is a southpaw gunslinger QB who immediately got my attention with his passing and command of the game. He is also a two-way player who can handle LB/DB as needed, but where he really shines is throwing the ball. He has mature mechanics throwing from the pocket, with good footwork, a smooth shoulder rotation and quick release and reads the field well. He is also adept passing on the move going either direction and throwing off platform or from different launch angles, which was evident in the 11 drives he led this weekend, rifling 10 touchdowns to only one pick for a lofty 10:1 TD-to-Interception ratio. He is also a team leader on the field and is another 7th grader who will eventually go to Liberty North (MO) High School. He is definitely a young gun on a rapid rise - get out and see him in action.   Carter Day @2_shiftzz - the Lierman-to-Day connection was clicking this past weekend in Broken Arrow as this athletic, two-way baller showed his excellent catch radius and the ability to climb the ladder for the ball. He has secure hands and uses his physicality to make the tough, contested catch in traffic. He is also a suffocating LB/DB on the other side of the ball with fine-tuned instincts flying to the ball. His athleticism is obvious the way he moves in space on either side of the ball and when making the big play. He also has a nifty back-flip move in the end zone when he scores. Right now he is a 7th grader who will eventually go to Liberty North high school. Get this guy in your sights, he is a game wrecker in the making.   KY Rollins @kyrollison - up next is a standout multi-positional playmaker who helps the Juice Crew sizzle as a two-way playmaker at wide receiver and safety. He hit the gound running this 7v7 season and a couple weeks ago helped his team win the 2026 Capital City Showdown as 14U Champs and dominated all weekend in winning the tournament Most Valuable Player award. He is a dynamic receiver with great burst and acceleration breaking into the open. He also has exceptionally quick feet, great agility and the ability to stop and go and reverse directions in full stride.He also has sticky hands and will catch anything thrown his way. This guy is a weapon you are going to hear a lot more from in the very near future.   Braydon Welton - and last but certainly not least is a young gun quarterback who caught my eye as an up-and-coming prospect to keep your eyes on. The first day of the tournament experienced gusting winds that were difficult to throw into, but this 7th grader that will eventually go to Bishop Miege consistently threw a tight spiral with the nose down just enough to cut through the wind. There were many QB's launching wounded ducks into the wind Saturday but he made it look easy.     In conclusion, get out and see these talented players this spring - you won't be disappointed!   And, most importantly...   Keep Grindin'

It was a busy weekend in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for the @PrepRedzone Sooner State Shootout, which featured well over 100 teams, battling sand-blasting winds on Saturday and rainy weather on Sunday.