The Blue Devils have won four state titles in the past five years, and they might be as good this year as they were last season when they culminated a perfect season with a dominating 53-14 win against Newberry in the state championship game.

Once again there will be a handful of Division I prospects on the field for the Blue Devils, led by senior quarterback/wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson, who in May made an oral commitment to sign with Florida.

Richardson was recruited as a wide receiver but he might have to play quarterback this season, with the departure via graduation of Anthony Sheppard.

Defensive end/linebacker Brandon Hawthorne, running back Vincent Smith, offensive lineman Donald Hester, strong safety Carlos Lammons, linebacker Norman Griffith and cornerback Jarvis Byrd also are Division I prospects.

The Blue Devils have a transfer in senior running back Liniel Graham, who rushed for almost 1,400 yards at Leesburg last season. And offensive guard/defensive lineman Doral Willis already is being recruited by Southern Cal despite being only a junior.

Othere seniors on the roster include Timothy Baker (DB, 5-11, 160), Jaquan Bentley (OL, 6-2, 280), Tyrone Campbell (OL/DT, 6-2, 230), Demetrius Dotting (DE, 6-1, 190), Tommy Gilbert (LB, 5-10, 180), Willie Hickman (DB, 5-10, 170), Fontia Hopson (DT, 6-0, 210) and Cameron Wilkerson, a 5-10, 270-pound lineman.

In addition to the Willis, the Class of 2010 is in good hands with Zachary Allen (DE, 6-2, 180), Richard Ash (OL, 6-2, 240), Willis Bowles (OL, 6-3, 280), Antonio Ford (OL, 6-2, 260), Dennis Hall (WR, 5-11, 180), Cory Hill (LB, 5-10, 190), DeJoshua Johnson (WR, 5-10, 170), Merrill Noel (S, 5-10, 170) and defensive back Jaquay Perdue (5-9, 160).

Even the Class of 2011 looks promising with kicker Miguel Rodriguez and quarterback Emmanuel Perez.

7-ON-7 WEEKEND

There are two impressive 7-on-7 tournaments slated for this weekend that will feature a number of local schools.

This Saturday's Nike 7-on-7 at Miramar Regional Park (16801 Miramar Parkway) promises to be one of the top area events of the summer with three defending state champions in action.

Sixteen quality programs will compete for the team title with defending 6A and national champion Northwestern, defending 4A champion and adidas 7-on-7 winner Booker T. Washington, and two-time defending 2B champion Pahokee highlighting a tremendous field of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach teams.

In addition to the Bulls, Tornadoes and Blue Devils, other teams schedule to compete for the title will be Central, South Dade, Miami Springs, Bay Point, Norland, Killian, Columbus, Hialeah-Miami Lakes and Carol City.

Boyd Anderson leads a Broward field that includes Dillard, Douglas and powerful Miramar.

Games begin at 8 a.m. and the championship games starts at 2 p.m.

Over 40 schools will be on hand for this weekend's University of South Florida Sling & Shoot event in Tampa. The best annual gathering of the top teams from throughout the state of Florida will have a south Florida flavor to the impressive field.

Monsignor Pace will be joined by Broward County teams Hollywood Hills and Hallandale, and Boca Raton (Palm Beach County) in what looks like a real treat for the athletes, coaches and fans.

Heading to USF will be Tampa-area teams Valrico Bloomingdale, Lennard, Leto, Tampa Freedom, Tampa Riverview, Tampa Jefferson, St. Petersburg Lakewood, Pinellas Park, Clearwater Central Catholic, Springstead, Tampa Alonso, Tampa Spoto, St. Petersburg Gibbs, Tampa Middleton, Clearwater Countryside Gibbs and powerhouse Plant.

Also coming from the Gulf Coast are Sarasota Riverview, Venice, Punta Gorda Charlotte and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney.

Southwest Florida power Naples will also be there along with Gulf Coast.

Also coming will be Tarpon Springs East Lake, Orlando Dr. Phillips, Lakeland Penarock, Lakeland Lake Gibson, Longwood Lyman, Dunedin, Lakeland George Jenkins, Zephyrhills, Dade City Pasco, Tarpon Springs, East Ridge and St. Cloud,

The Ocala area will have Lake Weir and power North Marion. Jacksonville Lee will also be on hand.

Games begin on both days at 10 a.m.

Larry Blustein is co-host of the Miami Dolphins Gridiron Show every Thursday evening from 7-8 on WQAM (560 AM). Have a comment? E-mail lblustein@MiamiHerald.com.

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