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Team Tampa opens IMG Madden 7-on-7 winning three of four

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Team Tampa rolled through its competition at the IMG Madden 7-on-7 tournament on Saturday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton.

Led by East Lake junior quarterback Pete DiNovo Team Tampa finished the day 3-0-1, and won its pool.

Team Tampa came out guns a-blazing, scoring four touchdowns in it opening game winning easily. DiNovo threw touchdowns to East Lake WR Artavis Scott, Jesuit TE Travis Johnson and Carrollwood Day School RB Robert Davis.

The team stumbled in its second game but was able to salvage a draw in a late comeback.

Tampa would then rattle off consecutive wins to finish strong.

DiNovo finished the day with 12 touchdown passes, 5 PAT conversions and only 1 interception. Manatee junior RB Ju’ Juan Pollack was DiNovo’s favorite check-down target catching a team-high 5 touchdowns.

Johnson followed suit with 4 touchdown receptions while 2014 Northeast transfer RB Donterio Fowler added 2 touchdown catches and East Lake WR Scott had 1.

Vernon Hargreaves (black), Wharton, 2013, CB during 1 of his 3 INTs on the day
Vernon Hargreaves (black), Wharton, 2013, CB during 1 of his 3 INTs on the day

Defensively Team Tampa is loaded with talent. Wharton junior defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III led the team with 3 interceptions while 2013 Armwood DB Leon McQuay III had 2 and 2014 DB Kyle Gibson had 1 interception.

2013 Tampa Catholic WR Zach Benjamin was dominant all day using his quickness, length and crisp route running to consistently break open. He and Johnson caught the most passes for Team Tampa, but Benjamin was unable to get in the end zone.

Freedom High School representatives 2013 DB Nate Godwin and 2013 LB Isaac Tanner both had solid days. Godwin, a safety, played well in zone and man coverage while Tanner did a nice job cleaning up running backs on their check-down routes.

Hargreaves was completely lockdown on the day allowing, maybe, two completions and knocking down a handful of passes.

2013 DE Jordan Sherit saw time playing outside linebacker. The 6′ 5″ prospect showed impressive footwork and change of direction, especially for someone accustom to playing with his hand in the ground.

2014 LB Vincent Jackson also showed impressive footwork and football intelligence. He has a nice frame and is quick, a good-looking rising junior.

2013 Wharton LB Rocky Enos has a good frame and showed impressive foot speed, chasing down a number of backs from behind.

Team Tampa will be back on the field tomorrow trying to make a run at the championship.