At the 9th Annual GSF Rapid Fire 7v7 Tournament (15U / Freshman / 8th Grade Division)—a premier event worth double points in the GSF rankings—N0Z0N3 didn’t just win a championship…They told a story.A story of resilience. A story of belief. And a story rooted in something much bigger than football.

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From Doubt to Dominance

After opening the tournament with a 14-14 tie against T1, N0Z0N3 had a choice—fold under pressure or rise.They chose to rise.

• Defeated RSF 27-0
• Defeated 2G 29-7
• Defeated 2G again in the semifinals 22-12
• Defeated Activated in the championship 19-12

What started as uncertainty quickly turned into one of the most complete runs of the tournament.

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“They Always Doubted Us”

For Kamani Harris (WR/ATH, Edison HS ‘28), this championship meant more than just a win.

“We come here and work every day… they always doubted us… my beautiful team over here… Coach Mike always working for us… we just come out here—that’s all we do.”

That edge—that chip on their shoulder—was evident all day. N0Z0N3 didn’t just play to win. They played to prove something.

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A Team That Knows How to Respond

Quarterback Kitiona Lafaele (Central East HS ‘29) highlighted the team’s ability to reset and refocus:

“We won the Pylon a few weeks ago… then we took a break… but we came back and went back to it.”

That ability to regroup and return hungry is what separates good teams from championship teams.

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Coach Mike Ware: Building More Than a Team

Head Coach Mike Ware has built a program centered on discipline, belief, and opportunity.

“That’s the mission… to go and try to get to the top… we had some downtime… but we came back out here to get back to work.”

“Shoutout to GetSportsFocus… they always give a nice foundation… if you ain’t tapped in, tap in.”

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Playing for a Legacy: Tony Perry

N0Z0N3’s identity is deeply rooted in honoring the legacy of Tony Perry.

“He wanted to get the best kids out and help them get to college… his message was to believe in yourself… he brought that DAWG out of us… we’re continuing his legacy.”

This isn’t just a team—it’s a movement built on opportunity, belief, and purpose.

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MVP Performance: Marcus Burton Leads the Way

Marcus Burton (RB/LB, Hoover HS ‘28) earned Tournament MVP honors for his impact throughout the day.

“I want to thank the team, coaches, parents…”

A simple message that reflects the culture of N0Z0N3—team first.

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Coaching Staff: Giving Back Through the Game

Offensive Coordinator Braxton Hicks emphasized a player-first approach:

“Game plan was get the ball in their hands and let them do what they do… just giving back to the kids.”

Defensive Coordinator Tyler Horton spoke on inspiring the next generation:

“We wear his gear so the kids can see the goal… what they can reach… make it to that high level.”

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Respect from the Competition

Even in defeat, Activated Head Coach Tyrone Jones showed respect:

“I wanna play the best… and that’s what we got… phenomenal job… your coaches are preparing you for the next level.”

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More Than a Championship

• Overcoming doubt
• Representing something bigger
• Honoring a legacy
• Creating opportunities

Yes, N0Z0N3 won one of the biggest tournaments on the GSF circuit. Yes, they earned double points.But this run meant more.N0Z0N3 didn’t just leave Rapid Fire as champions.They left as a team with purpose.A team with identity.A team carrying a legacy forward.And they’re just getting started.