Pahokee competes at Malik Rosier 7-on-7 Tournament

WEST PALM BEACH – The Pahokee Blue Devils took part in their first true 7-on-7 competition of the summer.

They chose to participate in the inaugural Malik Rosier 7-on-7 Tournament on Saturday (July 20) at Lake Lytal Park in West Palm Beach.

There were two pool play games and two playoff games for Pahokee (2-2 final record; four total games played). The wins were against Inlet Grove (11-10 victory in pool play) and Tru Prep (27-6 victory in the first round of the playoffs), while the losses were to Coral Gables (19-10 loss in pool play) and tournament runner-up Palm Beach Gardens (second round).

Here are some of Pahokee’s standouts from this weekend’s tournament:

•RB Samuel Arnold (2026) – 2 catches, 1 touchdown on offense; 4 pass breakups on defense

•WR Herbert Crawford III (2025) – 6 catches, 2 touchdowns on offense

•DB Calbert Edwards (2025) – 4 pass breakups on defense

•WR Kamari Foreman (2026) – 5 catches, 2 touchdowns on offense

•DB Ricky Gary Jr. (2026) – 5 pass breakups on defense

•DB J’Tavious Jones (2025) – 2 pass breakups, 1 interception on defense

•QB Xavier Mitchell (2026) – 28 completions, 8 touchdowns, 2 interceptions on offense

•WR Zachary Mitchell (2027) – 3 catches, 1 touchdown on offense; 4 pass breakups on defense

•DB Larry Warren III (2026) – Only 2 passes thrown his way on defense

Pahokee 2026 linebacker Antonio Simpson reflected on his team’s overall performance at the Malik Rosier 7-on-7 Tournament.

“The experience was good,” Simpson said. “I really didn’t play that much because we were running a nickel defense with one linebacker. But it showed us how we could fix our mistakes and work on what we need to do better and head into the season better.”

Crawford chimed in with his commentary.

“Well the first game we were unprepared and lost,” Crawford said. “It took us too long to get in a groove and start playing good. And when we are losing, we have to keep our heads up.”

Arnold had the last word.

“We started slow against Coral Gables with the loss and picked up momentum against Inlet and Tru Prep,” Arnold said. “Then we lost it all against Gardens in the second round. I feel like alignment, communication with coaches, and a couple of dropped balls prevented us from the win. Also, losing [Pahokee 2025 RB] Rashon [Brown] to an injury hurt us. I’m looking for a bounce back this upcoming season though against Gardens.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Shot by Jordie

VIDEO CREDIT: ESPN West Palm