Air Traffic Control (Red Springs N.C.) Top Overall Performers

Red Springs, N.C. - Red Springs High School served as the host for this week's Air Traffic Control League games. I had the opportunity to cover four competitive 18U teams and also gathered a recap of the 15U weekly champions. Although Air Traffic Control is primarily based out of Columbia, South Carolina, the league features teams from across both North and South Carolina, making it one of the most dynamic youth football leagues in the region.   15u MVP - QB Griffin Larrow St James High School c/o 27    Griffin Larrow has been nothing short of dominant in the 15U league. The St. James High School quarterback put up a ridiculous stat line this week — 14 touchdowns with zero interceptions. That alone is impressive, but it's how he did it that turned heads. Larrow made sure everyone ate — every receiver on the roster got a catch, and all of his starters found the end zone. His poise and decision-making were next-level, never forcing the deep ball unless the defense gave him the green light. On top of the stats, Larrow showed elite leadership all day, commanding the offense with confidence and keeping his squad locked in from start to finish. Simply put — the league is his right now.    15u #2 - DB Angel Crescenzi Atlantic Collegiate High School c/o 28    Angelo Crescenzi was the clear-cut top defensive player in the 15U division this week. The 2028 defensive back from Atlantic Collegiate was a problem for opposing offenses, seemingly showing up wherever the ball went. While he didn't snag an interception, Crescenzi made his presence felt with multiple key pass breakups and tight coverage all day long. Tasked with locking down the opposing team's top weapons, the rising sophomore embraced the challenge and delivered. His instincts, footwork, and competitive edge set the tone for his defense — and he's just getting started.    15u #3 - WR Kyler Kelley Carolina Forest High School c/o 28    Kyler Kelley is already making a big impression at such a young age, and his performance as a rising sophomore is exciting! Scoring 5 touchdowns in a game, with a few being highlight-worthy, definitely shows his playmaking ability and potential. For a freshman, his size and speed are impressive, and it's clear that he's a rare talent with a lot of upside.   Carolina Forest being traditionally run-heavy could see a shift in their offense as players like Kyler develop. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays through the air could push them toward a more balanced attack, which would be exciting to see. If he keeps progressing, Kelley could quickly become one of the top receiving threats in the region, potentially even drawing attention from college scouts early on.    15u #4 - ATH Josh Walker Carolina Forest High School c/o 28      Josh Walker is a versatile and dynamic playmaker! His performance this past weekend, especially with the two interceptions, shows he has a natural instinct on the defensive side of the ball. Being able to play both safety and linebacker gives him a lot of flexibility and value for Carolina Forest, as he can be used in multiple roles depending on the situation.   On offense, his potential to contribute as a running back or H-back adds even more excitement to his game. That dual-threat ability—impacting the game on both sides of the ball—could make him a key player for the team during his sophomore year. With his talent, it's easy to see him making big plays in crucial moments, and it wouldn't surprise me if he starts drawing attention from recruiters sooner than expected.    15u #5 - WR Scotty Campbell Atlantic Collegiate High School c/o 28    Scotty Campbell sounds like a reliable and clutch player for ESA, and his performance as a rising sophomore definitely shows promise. Being the second-leading receiver and scoring 4 touchdowns, Campbell clearly has a knack for making plays when it counts. His reputation as a "first down machine" and having some of the most reliable hands on the team makes him an asset to the offense. His ability to step up whenever ESA needed him speaks to his football IQ and maturity, even at a young age.   As a rising sophomore with limited varsity experience, Campbell has a huge opportunity ahead of him for the 2025 season. With his skill set and ability to make an impact, he could quickly become a focal point in the offense and really start to turn heads as a potential standout. His hands and ability to move the chains will certainly give his team a dependable target in key moments.    18u MVP - QB [player_tooltip player_id='1228977' first='Chance' last='Cato'] High School c/o 26    [player_tooltip player_id='1228977' first='Chance' last='Cato'] is definitely making a strong case for himself as a top quarterback prospect, and his performance last weekend for CLA only solidified that. Standing at 6'2", he already has the physical tools that college programs love in a quarterback, but it's his mentality and decision-making that really stand out. Being cool, calm, and collected in high-energy situations is a sign of a mature quarterback, and his ability to maintain control while directing the team to a perfect 3-0 day shows he's got leadership qualities too.   His elite decision-making, taking what the defense gives him, and not forcing the ball, is exactly what scouts look for in a QB. And then, of course, his unpredictability—lulling the defense to sleep and then suddenly taking a shot—adds a dangerous dynamic to his game. That kind of strategic approach to mixing things up keeps defenses guessing and makes him a tough matchup.   As he heads into his final season in 2025, it sounds like Cato is on track to continue rising through the ranks. His ability to manage the game and create big plays when needed should definitely help boost his stock, especially with more exposure during the offseason.    18u #2 - QB [player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne'] West Carteret High School c/o 26    [player_tooltip player_id='870217' first='Tanner' last='Payne'] is an absolute quarterback prospect to watch! With his nearly 6'4", 210lb frame, he's got the size that many D1 programs covet, and it's clear he's not just relying on his physical attributes. His ability to drive the ball down the field with ease and hit deep outs before defenders can react shows elite arm strength and precision. That kind of skill at such a young age is rare and will only continue to develop as he gains more experience.   The fact that he's already been on several D1 visits this spring speaks volumes about his potential and the interest he's generating. Payne seems to have the whole package—size, arm strength, decision-making, and the ability to make throws that most quarterbacks can only dream of. His talent might even seem understated at times because it looks so natural, but that just speaks to how much of a top-tier prospect he really is.   As we look ahead to the 2025 season, Payne could very well be the top quarterback in the state. If he continues to perform at a high level and further refines his game, expect his stock to skyrocket even more.    18u #3 - ATH Rodney [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] Camden High School c/o 26    Rodney [player_tooltip player_id='1734538' first='Isaiah' last='Smith'] is an absolute playmaker, and his versatility on both sides of the ball is something special! The fact that he can play Nickelback, Safety, and Corner while shutting down anything that comes his way shows his elite athleticism and defensive instincts. It's impressive that he was just missing a few interceptions, because that shows his ability to read plays and be in the right place at the right time.   On offense, Smith's ability to be a problem for defenders, making it difficult for anyone to keep him in front of them, is a big asset for Camden. It sounds like he's a matchup nightmare, whether it's in space or between the tackles, and that versatility will only help him when he transitions into playing running back this year. With his skill set, he's definitely poised for a breakout season in 2025, and it wouldn't be surprising to see his name on all-conference to all-state lists by the end of the year.   Given his athletic ability and how he impacts the game on both sides of the ball, it seems like college recruiters will definitely be paying attention to Smith this season.    18u #4 - DB Tyquise Wilson James Kenan High School c/o 25     Tyquise Wilson is an elite defensive prospect, and his performance this weekend just reinforced that. Even though he played safety, his production didn't drop off at all—if anything, he continued to prove why he's one of the top defensive players in his class. With his combination of elite size and speed, he's a serious threat in the secondary. Controlling his deep third all day and coming up with a game-clinching interception shows his playmaking ability and football IQ.   The fact that Wilson has already committed to Johnson C. Smith is impressive, but given his talent, it wouldn't be surprising to see his stock rise even further if he continues to dominate. His ability to control the deep third and make big plays when it counts shows that he's not just a strong athlete but a player who can change the course of a game.    18u #5 - DB Ziyon Mason Hartsville High School c/o 27    Ziyon Mason is definitely a name to remember, especially with how much talent he's already showing at such a young age. Standing at nearly 6'1" with long arms and legs, he already has the physical build of a D1 cornerback, and his ability to run and cover ground quickly makes him an even more exciting prospect. Seeing him play in person during the Hartsville win over Dillon must have been a great look at his physicality and how he plays with pads on. The fact that he brought that same physicality to the 7-on-7 this past weekend just shows how consistent his game is, regardless of the format.   If Mason can have a strong summer and continue to develop, it wouldn't be surprising to see his recruitment take off. Given his skill set, size, and physicality, he has all the tools to be a major player in his class, and D1 programs will definitely start taking notice if he continues to show out. If he can continue to progress through his junior year, expect his stock to rise rapidly.

Red Springs, N.C. - Red Springs High School served as the host for this week's Air Traffic Control League games. I had the opportunity to cover four competitive 18U teams and also gathered a recap of the 15U weekly champions. Although Air Traffic Control is primarily based out of Columbia, South Carolina, the league features teams from across both North and South Carolina, making it one of the most dynamic youth football leagues in the region.