Da’Twon Rouse used an incredible performance to lift the American team past the Nationals 40-20 in the Georgia Elite Classic’s first-ever Seventh Grade game. Rouse—a running back and safety middle schooler in the Pebblebrook district—opened the scoring with a 43-yard touchdown run. Rouse returned to the end zone with a 1-yard touchdown run and converted the 2-point try to put the American team up 14-0 with 4:34 still left in the first quarter.
The National Team answered with Prentiss Noland touchdown passes to Debron Gatling (67 yards) and Carlos Penn (13) to tie it at 14-14 with 7:07 left in the half (Luke Hubert kicked the PATs). Rouse put the Americans back in front with a 9-yard touchdown run with 3:33 on the clock. After trading possessions, Rouse intercepted Noland at the National 40-yard line and returned it 35 yards to set up a 5-yard touchdown run with just 22 seconds left before the break. The American team’s 1-of-4 success rate on 2-point conversions kept their lead at 26-14.
A lightning delay interrupted the closing minutes of the third quarter, and Rouse added a 67-yard touchdown when the action resumed to put the Americans up 32-14 entering the fourth quarter.
CJ London added a 15-yard touchdown run and lineman Paul Harrington snuck in the 2-point try to extend the lead to 40-14. National running back Omarion Tucker provided the final points on a 7-yard run as time expired.
The National Team finished with a 26:25 to 17:35 advantage in time of possession and the American team narrowly outgained them 308-297 in total yardage. Rouse’s performance included 225 rushing yards off 12 carries to go with his five touchdown runs. Defensively, he added a game-high 12.5 total tackles (10 solo) to go with his interception. Tucker led the National team with 172 rushing yards off 26 carries.