The Dragons Elite Academy (DEA) 12u team is primarily comprised of athletes from the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas.
There are some players though who travel to join the team, like Mississippi native Frederick Sanders Jr.
Sanders, a 5-foot-9, 280 pound lineman has been a key cog for the Dragons football program. He will take a great amount of experience with him from playing with DEA. Despite the distance from his teammates, Sanders felt like joining the squad was an easy decision.
“Coach (Courtney) Jackson called my dad and when my dad asked me if I wanted to play for Mr Jackson’s team it was a no brainer,” Sanders said. :What makes me want to keep playing is the coaching and my teammates.
“We have film study and everything over here. Nothing is given, you gotta learn everything. Most important I just have fun.”
Sanders had a lot of fun in August when his team topped two of the best in youth football in RDU and the OG Ducks.
“I was nervous because you hear about how good these teams are,” Sanders said. “It was fun and challenging at the same time.
“Coach Herbert Moore tells me all the times that the only person that can stop me is me. Use your hands and don’t let nobody get their hands on you.”
The DEA defensive line helped lead the charge in what was a dominant performance in those two contests.
Playing against that tough competition and in a big game setting was something that Sanders felt like helped elevate his game.
“You are challenged on every play, no plays off,” Sanders said. “The guys across from you are as good as you, so you better bring it every play.”
As he prepares for his upcoming middle school season, Sanders has been focused on several areas to continue preparing.
“Eating,” Sanders said with a laugh. “I worked on having violent hands, quick first step and stamina … still working on that speed though.”
Sanders will soon head to the high school ranks in the next few years where he will continue at Lausanne Collegiate School.
For now, though, he wants his team to work towards helping his team achieve one thing.
“I’m working on being a dominant force in the trenches with the ability to run down a play,” Sanders said. “Whatever it takes to help my team win another national championship.”
