This weekend, October 5-6, Clermont, Florida, becomes the battleground for the PGF Emerald 14U tournament, a double-elimination bracket where teams from all over the Sunshine State will clash. With each team bringing unique strengths to the field, the competition promises to be fierce. Let’s dive into what each team is bringing to the table.
In Pool A, Fleming Island Storm Patterson 14U enters the tournament undefeated with a 4-0-1 record, but with the level of competition ramping up, staying unbeaten will be a tall order. Right on their heels is Team Tampa 2028, with a respectable 6-3-1 record. They’re a team that consistently shows up ready to compete and will undoubtedly be in the mix. Treasure Coast Venom (also 6-3-1) boasts a similarly strong showing this season, making them another squad to watch. Meanwhile, Firecrackers Cronin (6-5) is a scrappy team that, when firing on all cylinders, can be tough to handle.
Pool B sees a mixed bag of records. Clearwater Lady Bombers Clark have had a rough go so far this fall, sitting at 2-9-4, but you can never count out a team with something to prove. Florida Gold 29/30 (Weston), with their 5-3 record, has seen both wins and losses against teams they’ll face here, making them a bit of a wild card. Then there’s Santa Fe Inferno Humphrey 14U, who are coming off a strong summer and could easily be one of the tournament favorites. With their top-notch performance when they’re on, they’ll be a tough team to beat. Lastly, EC Bullets Jackson Bobby 14U has only played four games this fall (2-2), but their coaching and pedigree suggest they’re a team no one should sleep on.
Pool C is arguably the toughest group. Firecrackers Smith comes in with an impressive 20-3 record, though they do have a loss to SFL Intensity KOD/LALA, who they’ll face first in Clermont. Speaking of Intensity, they hold a 3-2 record, and while they’re not the favorites, they’ve already shown they can topple big names. Florida Premier Giddens 14U (11-1-1) has relied on solid pitching and will likely be in the thick of things as the tournament progresses. Then there’s Ohana, sporting an undefeated 17-0-1 record. They’ve been nearly unstoppable this fall and could very well be one of the teams left standing on Sunday.
In Pool D, FL Storm 2010 Curry (8-7-1) has been playing up against older teams for most of the fall, making them a tough out despite their middling record. Lady Bombers 14U – Picard (9-3-3) has performed well, with two of their losses coming to older squads, indicating they’ll be in the mix. EC Bullets Jackson Travis has dominated this fall with a 15-2 record, featuring a combination of strong pitching and run-scoring prowess, positioning them as one of the top contenders. Meanwhile, Rock Gold Walker (5-3) has had a decent start but will need to elevate their play to survive in this challenging pool.
Pool E is led by Boca Impact 2010 with a strong 8-2 record, but they’ll face stiffer competition this weekend. Tampa Mustangs Szabo (4-6) is a battle-tested team that can’t be overlooked, and Team Tampa 29-30 (4-5) will need to step it up if they hope to advance deep into the bracket.
As we head into Sunday, the favorites to watch include Ohana, Santa Fe Inferno, EC Bullets Jackson Travis, Florida Premier, and Firecrackers Smith. But with a double-elimination format, expect a few surprises and dark horses emerging from the pack.
The stage is set, the teams are ready, and by Sunday evening, one squad will rise above the rest. It’s anyone’s game in Clermont, and the only guarantee is that it’ll be one heck of a weekend.
