Just two weeks ago, Gridiron Football decided to host their first 7v7 tournament in three years at Lamar Dixon Expo Center and George Washington Carver Park in Gonzales, Louisiana.
After another successful Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game, Gridiron Football decided to bring the momentum from the end of the 2024 season to the 2025 offseason with a big tournament featuring 22 7v7 teams across the state of Louisiana including age groups: 12U, 14U, 15U, and 18U.
From 9:00 A.M. to 9 P.M. on Saturday, February 1st, there was constant 7v7 action from pool play throughout the day and playoffs in the evening.
12U and 14U competition took place at Carver Park while 15 and 18U action took place on the turf field at Lamar Dixon, which also was the home of the Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game practices throughout the week in December.
The competition and the talent was top notch during the tournament at all the age groups. Here is a quick recap on how each age bracket went down.
12U:
Four teams competed in the 12U division. The Naturals 12U team had a dominant performance in not only pool play, but also bracket play going undefeated in their three pool play games while also defeating RPA (Red) 19-10 and the Louisianimals 27-20 in the championship game. Louisianimals had a good push to the championship game by defeating RPA (Blue) 15-12, but fell short in the title matchup. It was a great start for the Naturals in what turned out to be an overall good day with a 65 point differential and going 5-0 throughout the course of the afternoon.
Results:
Standings:
Bracket:
14U:
In the 14U age bracket, the Naturals continued their dominance at Carver Park winning that bracket as well. The Naturals also went undefeated with a 3-0 record through pool play outscoring their opponents 64-29, which is a 35 point difference.
In the playoffs, the Naturals took care of business against RPA with a final score of 18-8 while the Jackboys upset Louisiana Defcon 19-8 in their playoff game. In the championship game, the Naturals left no doubt winning their second tournament by a final score of 32-8.
Results:
Standings:
Bracket:
15U:
The 15U bracket was actually the last age group that was played out throughout the day and just like it started, it was the same how it ended with the Naturals taking home their third title in the 15U age bracket. The 15U bracket was one of the most competitive brackets throughout the day as it was actually Louisiana Defcon that secured the number one seed with a 3-0 record in pool play outscoring their opponents 93-27. Defcon got the edge over the Louisiana Falcons, which also had an impressive pool play outing also going 3-0 with an overall 77-43 advantage.
Although Defcon and the Falcons were the favorites, the Naturals turned it on in the playoffs by defeating the Baton Rouge Warriors 30-2 and the Falcons 33-11 to set up a rematch from pool play earlier in the day against Defcon. After securing a bye, Defcon took care of Louisianimals 36-12 to set up the championship matchup. Even though there were two heavily talented offenses on the field, it was a defensive championship game with the Naturals able to hold off Defcon by a final score of 13-11. Even though the Naturals did lose earlier in the day to Defcon by a final score of 25-13, they were able to end the night with a win when it mattered most.
Results:
Standings:
Bracket:
18U:
The 18U bracket was the biggest age group of the day and even featured two Gridiron Football All-Americans playing in it from the Block Boys including Riverdale QB Rida Ghazzali and Fisher DB Jaiven Lewis. This age bracket was also under a big microscope as Gridiron Football was also evaluating candidates to play in the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game. Of course, the 18U action was hot and heavy from the first game all the way down to the last game featuring some of the best high school skill talent in Louisiana.
The number one seed at the end of pool play was the Louisianimals, which dominated their three games outscoring opponents 88-43. The Naturals also received a bye by outscoring their opponents 75-56 while notching an undefeated 3-0 record. The competition was tight between the eight teams through pool play with only the Falcons having no wins entering the playoffs.
The playoffs showed why tournaments are not won on paper. Louisianimals did cruise in their first round game against the Louisiana Falcons 42-3, but did lose their next playoff game against K.R.E.A.M. K.R.E.A.M. came in as the number five seed and won a nail biter against the Block Boys 23-22 on the last play of the game before upsetting the number one seed in the semifinals in order to advance to the championship.
On the other side of the bracket, it was another Baton Rouge team that was catching teams by surprise in the playoffs. RPA, like K.R.E.A.M., came off a close and hard played 31-24 win over Elite Skills to face the number 7 seed Defcon in the semifinals. The Naturals were looking to have a perfect day winning in all four age groups, but lost to Defcon 20-10 in an upset. In the semifinals, RPA won another squeaker by narrowly defeating Defcon 22-21.
That set up the 18U championship game between K.R.E.A.M. and RPA. By far, the intensity and the thrilling games made this the most entertaining bracket in the playoffs. RPA stopped a potential game tying two point conversion from K.R.E.A.M. to preserve a 20-18 win and the 18U Championship.
Results:
Standings:
Bracket:
Final Recap:
The 2025 Gridiron Football Battle on the Bayou 7v7 Tournament was a great day. Teams got to compete against each other and got some good footage as well with every game being filmed and uploaded by our staff. Players also got the chance to give themselves some exposure with interviews that were conducted by our own Jace LeJeune, Alex Allison, and Darryl Felker throughout the day.
Gridiron Football appreciates the following 7v7 organizations for sending their teams to participate in the tournament: RPA, Naturals, Louisianimals, K.R.E.A.M., Elite Skills, Defcon, Louisiana Falcons, Jackboys, and Baton Rouge Warriors.
Ernest Harvey, head of the Naturals 7v7 organization, had a nice day at the office bringing home three tournament championships (12U, 14U, and 15U). Gridiron Football CEO Andy Bryson rewarded Ernest three trophies and three $250 checks to help the program’s funds during the 7v7 season. Ernest Harvey thought that the Gridiron Football 7v7 Tournament was a great way to kickoff the 7v7 season not only because of what his teams did on the field, but how Gridiron Football gives exposure to help young players.
“It was a good tournament for us. The media and coverage was outstanding. It was great for the kids to get in front of a camera and answer questions, which is something that not a lot of them were able to do before. That was something that we really appreciated, but the competition was good too. We were able to get some good games in, and I think it was a good event overall.”
Naturals 7v7 Program Director Ernest Harvey
The only other 7v7 program to win that day happened to be at the biggest division, and that was Randall Passing Academy (RPA). RPA program director and former LSU QB Marcus Randall got himself a check as well for his team winning and going on a great playoff run. Randall also was a big help in contacting other 7v7 organizations to come and participate in the event. As Gridiron Football Vice President of Operations, he gave his thoughts on how the 7v7 tournament turned out.
“I thought it was an awesome tournament. There was great competition there as we saw. We had a lot of organizations from a lot of different places there. You had guys from Lake Charles, the Houma area, and all over Louisiana. We all had a chance to compete. It was one of the first tournaments of the 7v7 season. It gave you a chance to see exactly where you stand and then to be able to go in and go 5-1 and actually win it, it was good for the organization and it was good for the kids’ camaraderie. It also helped the RPA brand all the way around and do that against high level teams. Overall, it was a great tournament and ran the way it was supposed to be ran through and through.”
RPA 7v7 Program Director Marcus Randall
It also was not just the skill players that got the chance to put some work in, but the linemen from the Louisianimals Trench War team did an intramural scrimmage against each other as Woodlawn defensive line coach Chris Clark was able to run the drills and teach the guys some valuable techniques that will help them for the season. Players went against each other in 1v1s and took part in the always popular tire drill. Louisianimals 7v7 Program Director Garrett Kreamer has done a great job of not only running a strong 7v7 program with all four age groups in attendance, but also bringing his trench team out there as well. Like the skill guys, the linemen were filmed for every drill and each player got the chance to do an interview after it was over.
“Gridiron Football put on a great tournament! We’re thankful for the opportunity to compete against some of the top 7v7 teams in the state. Thank Gridiron for the hospitality and exposure our kids got. We also got in some great work with our OL/DL trenches and put those guys on the map with something bigger to come in the future. We’ll continue to grow the sport and develop athletes mentally, physically, and spiritually.”
Louisianimals 7v7 and Trench Program Director Garrett Kreamer
Gridiron Football CEO Andy Bryson was pleased with this event in terms of its all around success and looks at it as a positive omen for a busy, but compelling offseason.
“I thought it was really successful for our first one in three years. I thought it was a great turnout and some good kids. I am thankful for the coaches that have brought their teams out. The kids looked great out there and it showed that they were all focus on handling business. When you close out with a big event like the Gridiron All-American Bowl Game and you have so many kids signing from the bowl game and then you turn around and throw a major event like this 7 on 7, it really makes you excited for what is going on in 2025.”
Gridiron Football CEO Andy Bryson
With that being said, players that were at the tournament are being evaluated for the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game. The same can be said for Gridiron’s 2025 Elite Camp Series, which will begin on March 1st at Lamar Dixon Expo Center. These Elite Camps are more opportunities for players to receive exposure, get filmed, and be evaluated for the bowl game.
“We have 5-7 camps planned out for this year. We have two big 7v7 tournaments that we will be doing in June with the high school football teams, and then, we have the bowl game at the end of this year. I am really excited about 2025 with the events that we already had and the big outcry of what we are able to provide for kids, these coaches, and the schools. It is really exciting.”
Gridiron Football CEO Andy Bryson
Bryson would later say that it is of the utmost importance that players, especially in Louisiana, need to attend Gridiron’s events this spring and summer whether it is the camps, 7v7 tournaments, or even the Media Day event to be considered an offer for the 2025 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game.
Finally, Gridiron Football wants to thank the city of Gonzales, Lamar Dixon Expo Center, George Washington Carver Park, all the volunteers, coaches, and referees for making this a successful event. We are looking forward to a great offseason and making this the best one yet.
*Click the image below to sign up for our first Elite Camp of 2025 on March 1st at Lamar Dixon Expo Center!
All of the player interviews at the 7v7 Tournament can be found at the YouTube playlist below!
All of the 7v7 games can be found at the YouTube playlist below!
All of the photos from the tournament can be found below from our photographer Jason Saucier!
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