Sports

Lakes Football: Cedric Dozier and Man'ne Manaea Will Compete in Elite 7-on-7 Skills Tournament

Two of the Lancers' high-profile athletes will show their talents against some of the best in Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday.

The season goal for any player in high school football is to win a state championship, but the career goal is to earn a full athletic college scholarship. Lakes juniors Cedric Dozier and Man'ne Manaea are trying to accomplish both.

Dozier and Manaea will travel to Las Vegas on Friday to compete in the BadgerSport Elite 7-on-7 West Region skills tournament at the University of Nevada Las Vegas football stadium where they will face some of the fastest, strongest and most talented high school football players in the country on Saturday and Sunday.

BadgerSport Elite invites the best of the best for an opportunity to gain exposure by NCAA Division I coaches and recruiters. It's their ticket for earning a spot on one of the three All-American teams. For Dozier — Lakes' speedy quarterback — and Manaea — the Lancers' highly talented outside linebacker and wide receiver — they know a good performance will set them up for a more scholarship offers from ranked Division I colleges.

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It's the most competitive skills tournament either have competed in during their high school careers.

"This is what we've been working hard for," Manaea said. "This gives us a chance."

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Manaea suffered a season-ending concussion against Wilson early in his junior season but has since made a full recovery. He believes what they will see this weekend will be a precursor to what they will see in college.

Manaea has received scholarship offers from Boise State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Tennessee and University of California Los Angeles.

You can check out Manaea's YouTube highlight reel here.

Dozier is one of the most lethal players in the 3A classification. He scored a combined 30 touchdowns, passed for more than 1,200 yards and rushed for more than 1,300. He led his team into the 3A state semifinals with a dramatic 27-24 overtime victory against Camas where he rushed for rushed for 200 yards on 20 carries.

And on defense, he has the ability to shutdown any wide receiver from the cornerback position. Dozier runs a 4.4-second 40 yard dash. He's received a full athletic scholarships from Pac-10 schools University of California and the University of Washington to play as a defensive back.

Click here for Dozier's highlight reel on YouTube.

He will have a chance to compete — once again — against Bellevue's quarterback Kendrick Van Ackeren who led the Wolverines over the Lancers in the state semifinal round, before helping Bellevue take the state title at the Tacoma Dome this past fall season.

"They got weapons and we got weapons," Dozier said. "We're trying to represent Lakes High School."

Here is a list of the teammates they will be playing with:

Michael Rector — Bellarmine Prep wide receiver and defensive back

Jeff Lindquist — Mercer Island quarterback

Caleb Smith — Kentlake tight end

Jayshawn Jordan — O'Dea running back and defensive back

Tyler Hasty — Bellevue quarterback and defensive back

From the new level athletics web site

The Fourth Annual BadgerSport Elite 7on7 is here. Since its inception, The BadgerSport Elite 7on7 has become “THE” destination for elite high school football players looking to gain exposure, rankings, All-Star game invites, and scholarships. Nationally covered by Scout.com, The BadgerSport Elite 7on7 has produced over ninety percent of the All-Americans that have played in the one of the big three All-American games with the vast majority of its players signing Division 1 college scholarships. The BadgerSport Elite 7on7 sets the stage for ELITE performance. Do you have what it takes to “B” the Best. BadgerSport Elite 7on7 gives you the chance to prove it.


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