FITCHBURG — The city-based Central Mass Gators 7U flag football team is continuing their stellar winning streak, and their head coach is thrilled to share that they were ranked number one in their age group across the country and the world, according to a power index operated by Zorts Sports.
To say that Brandon Hamilton, aka Coach Ham, is proud of his players is a huge understatement. The team recently won back-to-back tournaments — the Battle of the Burg on May 30 in Leominster and the 6/7 Bowl in Revere the following weekend – putting them in the “top spot in the world” for their age group according to a power index produced by Zorts Sports, a youth sports management app. (zortssports.com/powerIndex/rankings).
“We are number one because we buy in as a collective,” Hamilton said following their wins. “The parents believe in me, and I believe in their kids. Gators flag football is not just a football team — it’s an experience.”
The 7U Gators team is composed of seven boys aged seven and eight as the division is based off their ages as of Jan. 1. Konnor Bowler, Ezel Figueroa, Marcellus Reed, and Asaya Corbeil Villot are from Fitchburg, Jeremiah Almonte lives in Pepperell, Cody Jess hails from Winchendon, and Chase Burdett is from Westminster.
Hamilton, who founded the Central Mass Gators coed flag football program, reported that the 7U team ironically put up 67 points in the 6/7 Bowl, outscoring their opponents 67-21. That win came on the heels of the young athletes triumphing at the inaugural Battle of the Burg hosted by the Central Mass Gators, which their coach shared some details about.
“They did not disappoint,” Hamilton said of the 7U team, who he said, “kicked off the tournament in dominating fashion.”
“The first play of the game running back Asaya Corbeil-Villot gave the crowd a sight to see as he took a carry, eluded five defenders, and started what would turn out to be a dominating day for the Gators,” the coach said of the 7U team led by quarterback Marcellus, 2025 MVP Chase, and “their Swiss-army knife,” Jeremiah.
Hamilton went on to say the 7U Gators capped off their tourney games “with a nail biting, four overtime victory sealed by a key interception from Ezel Figueroa,” outscoring their opponents 70-6 and the team went 4 and 0 that day day to win the 7U division.
“They did not disappoint,” their coach said.
The tournament held at Doyle Field in Leominster drew 38 coed youth flag football teams from all over New England consisting of seven age divisions — 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 12U, 14U, and a 14U girls team.
“It was a jam-packed event,” Hamilton said of the fun day, which saw the Central Mass Gators 8U and 10U teams also playing impressive ball.
The 8U Gators — led by head coach Adrian Ojeda and Hamilton as assistant coach — went 1-1 in pool play led by Teddy Silvar, Tyaune Berry, and Charlie Zanni.
“The 8U division featured the top three teams in the nation — 32Sports, Mass Mambas, and Granite State Force — as the Gators fell in a heartbreaking loss in the semi-finals in the Division 2 bracket,” Hamilton said.
The 10U Gators led by head coach Kyle Quinlan and assistant coaches Michael Gagnon, Alex Travisano, and Hamilton also went 1-1 in pool play as their star player Leighana Jones “continued to show why she is highly regarded as the top 10-year-old female athlete in all of New England,” Hamilton shared.
“The 10U Gators fought hard all day as they were led by Leighana, Chace Fenner, and Stevie Silvar III,” he said, adding that that team ultimately fell in the semi-final round, “bringing a memorable day to a close.”
Up next for the 7U team is playing in the Leominster Flag Football League championships on Sunday, June 14 at Doyle Field, with quarterfinals at 2 p.m., semifinals at 2:45 p.m., and finals at 3:30 p.m.
When asked about the overall performance of the Central Mass Gators program and specifically his 7U team, Hamilton had this to say.
“I could not be more proud of these kids and these families as an organization,” he said. “We have believed in each other collectively and what you saw is a testament to that. We don’t borrow players, we just buy-in and develop our own and that is why the 7U Gators are top.”
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