Local boys represent Jefferson on Elite football team

Marion County Youth football players just can’t be stopped.

Cori Blanton, Kobin Tomlinson, Kingston Nelson, and Germaine Hopkins Jr were invited to play for the AAU Unrestricted 12u Canes Elite select team. 

Last weekend, the team played in Little Rock and became the AAU Unrestricted 12U National Champions or 12u Kings of Arkansas.

“These kids played two games Saturday; two games Sunday; got home about 11:30p.m; went to school on Monday; and played again Monday night in Tatum,” said Tremane Nelson. “This is the kind of great kids they are.”

Scores from the games were:

• Canes Elite 14, Arkanas Delta Dawgs 0

• Canes Elite 44, Texarkana Colts 0

• Canes Elite 18, Arkansas Lions 0

• Canes Elite 19, Whitehaven Ravens 13

“I got a call from Brock McGraw from Atlanta approaching me for kids to play on the team,” said Nelson. “I sent these boys and McGraw was more than impressed.

“He said Germaine is a one of a kind athlete. He can do it all. You can put him anywhere and you’ll just be fine. He said Kobin is the most skilled quarterback he’s ever had and on top of that he’s a very hard hitting linebacker that any coach would love to have on his team. Cori has a very good motor and will give you everything he’s got for every play. It’s been fun having him on [McGraw’s] defense. Kingston is the most disciplined kid [McGraw] has ever coached. He’s got a very high ceiling.”

The young men will play again this weekend in the King of Texas Tournament in Ft. Worth on Saturday and Sunday. Play will be at Dunbar High School or the University of Texas at Arlington sports complex. Nelson plans on livestreaming the games.

“I’m hoping to be able to keep these kids together to compete in the national championships in Florida next year,” said Nelson.

Marion County Youth started in 2004 and Nelson has been coaching the entire time. He said he is stepping back this year for health reasons but there are so many dads now involved and he said he feels that it really shows this year. “In year’s past we had just mama’s sitting there at practice and now we’ve got dad’s too. When everyone is involved it makes a difference.”