Recapping Massachusetts Showcase Day (Dexter Southfield)

Posted By on May 14, 2024

BROOKLINE – At around 11:15 on Tuesday morning, the Dexter Southfield football field was filled with gym classes playing Spikeball and some soccer.

By 11:30, over 120 college coaches flooded the field as DXSF held its Showcase Day as part of the massive circuit being held around Connecticut and Massachusetts the last two days.

Some elite programs – including BC – were on hand to watch the 25 players go through 45 minutes of drills.

Here’s who stood out, with two guys in particular drawing attention from major schools:

OL/DL Anthony Hall (2026) & OL Hardy Watts (2025)

Hall and teammate Hardy Watts were the two guys drawing most of the attention. For big men, they move extremely well. Both guys were impressive in pass protection drills and even in their 40-yard dashes (all times were not available right away), as they both moved smoothly. Boston College has already offered both Hall and Watts and the duo had quite a few coaches waiting to talk with them afterwards including members of the BC, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee and Duke staffs, among others. I overheard one coach telling Hall he was ‘about to blow up nationally’ and Watts already has, so it was a very, very good day for the DXSF O-line.

QB/DB Rory Funke (2028)

Only a freshman and the ball came out a little funky at times, but he also made some great throws to the sideline and deep. Absolutely a name to keep an eye on the next few years as he’s a pretty big kid already too at 6’2,” 175.

ATH/DB Santana Cardoso (2025)

Really impressed with Cardoso. Back pedal was very quick in DB drills and he showed quickness catching the ball and doing agility drills. One of those guys who just looks like a football player no matter what position he’s repping drills at, I could see him getting more attention.

RB/DB Tyson Thomas (2025)

Like Cardoso, it’s hard not to think Thomas will eventually make some program better. Fast (4.40 40-yard dash) and looked good in every drill. Catches the ball with his hands and can track the ball too. Central MA guy who could make a name for himself these next couple years.

TE/DE Gavin Marzouki (2027)

He showed quickness in the defensive line drills, but I thought he was even more impressive as a pass catcher. Good routes and he tracked a deep ball at one point too. Big target at 6’4,” 220 already, don’t be surprised if this kid’s name starts to gain a lot more traction these next few years.

WR/DB Dom Wadland (2025)

Like  Marzouki, I thought Wadland was impressive as an offensive threat. He showed he could track balls as well and DB drills were equally as impressive, particularly the footwork. Interested to see if he starts to get a little more attention after Tuesday. 

LB Chase Halfkenny (2025)

Extremely fluid in bag drills and really anything he did. Another one of those guys who just looks the part already and at 6’0,” 210, he may end up growing into a scary force for this Dexter defense over the next two years.

K/P Judah Siff (2025)

Yes, there was a kicker on hand too. I only saw like 3-4 kicks, but the ‘thud’ was there and it looked good off his foot. Don’t think I saw him miss and overheard a couple coaches that seemed impressed. 

Thoughts from head coach Casey Day: “I think…we had our own (Showcase Day) going for quite a few years before this, so we’re trying to get a little bit better at it every single year. Obviously, it’s kind of had a domino effect with the amount of coaches showing up. Every year has gotten bigger and bigger, for sure. It’s kind of become the defacto tip off event for our 2024 season. Our guys get excited for it. We train hard in the winter and in the spring in the weight room and out on the field to get ready for it and I think it paid off today.”