Courtesy photo
This all-star team from National Youth Sports-Nevada won the American Youth Football national championship in Naples, Fla.
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 | 12:56 p.m.
A pair of youth football teams from Las Vegas earlier this month won the American Youth Football national championship in Naples, Fla.
The teams — 12U Las Vegas Tribe and a 13U all-star team from National Youth Sports-Nevada — won three games each in six days against teams spanning the country.
The Tribe’s defense was the difference in the championship run, only surrendering 10 points in two games during the regionals in Phoenix, coach Devin Conway said. They had lost three straight years in regionals before breaking through this fall.
“Our defense had hurt us in the past, but they didn’t let us down,” Conway said. “That’s what it takes to win a tournament, a really strong defense and good offense. You have to be well-rounded.”
The Tribe defeated teams from Maryland, New York and Dallas, the coach said. And none of the games were close, especially the 39-13 win over PHU Dallas in the finals.
The players received a championship ring, medal and jacket, Conway said.
For 75% of the players, the travel associated with being part of the team is the only time they’ve ventured out of Southern Nevada — and that’s invaluable to their growth, the coach said.
“The kids did a lot of growing up. It was a cool sight,” Conway said.
Running back Trey Washington rushed for seven touchdowns in the tournament and was named the most valuable player.
Keenan Thomas had three rushing touchdowns, Kaleb Love passed for four scores, and Sherrod Leslie and Damoni Semper had two receiving touchdowns. Semper also shined defensively with 17 tackles in one game alone.
Members of the team include: Amare Robinson, Trey Washington, Kareem Knox II, Avion Wright, Marshawn Alexis, Jaybe Banks, Tasheed Hamilton, Aisek Brown, Camren Minton, Langston Vinson, Micah Jackson and Devin Conway III.
Others include: Kristian Ortiz-Sabian, Sherrod Leslie, Amir Harmon, Kaleb Love, Dmyreon Miller, Michael Anderson III, Damoni Semper, Kellan Mitchell, Corveonte Graves, Keenan Thomas, Arrion Wright and Dionte Williams.
More players are: Elijah Tuilaepa, Rmyr Johnson, Soku Tupa Vaovasa, Ferdinand McGraw, Michael Dole, Elikapa Tauiliili, Jayden Daneils and Brandon Perez.
The all-star team also wasn’t challenged in outscoring opponents 212-15 over three games for the title. Unlike Tribe — a team of players who have played together for years — this team had the unique challenge of coming together with only a handful of practices over two weeks.
For many of them, these were their last youth games before heading to high school. Coach Geoff Matthews commended them for taking the approach to play for Las Vegas.
“What they were playing for was bigger than themselves,” the coach said.
The team’s spread offense, led by quarterback Ayden McClendon, caught the opposition off guard because of how fast they ran plays, Matthews said. They defeated a team from Maryland, 42-7, in the championship game.
Matthews said he thinks many of the players will advance to have successful high school careers. “There are some kids who are going to be giants,” the coach said.
Members of the team include: Matthew Shelton, Ayden McClendon, Isaac Garibay, Tanoah Kauhi, Jayshawn Crayton, Gio Brown, Idrees Davis, Thrasher Burns, Kemir Smith and Dominic Aguilar.
Other players are: Jayden Patton, King David, Jacob Dennis, Braylon Rayford, Steven Bullock, Ocean Fleming, Xavier Castro, Khali Harrell, Quinn Daley, Brodie Murray, Daevon Randolph, Aiden Chavez, Reggie Pratt, Alphonse Rossi, Matthew Hergott, Jayden Fletcher and Kaisen Berry.
