Pasquale PJ Andriano II wins back-to-back youth football national titles

North Charleston youth football player Pasquale “PJ” Andriano II returned from Baltimore with a second straight national championship after the inaugural GIC Under Armour Game on July 19, 2026. The rising eighth grader was the only Lowcountry player selected to Team Verified and is now looking ahead to more national games and his final middle school season.

Why it matters: - Pasquale “PJ” Andriano II’s back-to-back national titles put a North Charleston-area youth player on a bigger regional stage. - The run adds momentum to Andriano’s profile as a Class of 2031 prospect heading into his final middle school season. - The win also highlights how Lowcountry youth football is producing players and coaches for invite-only national showcases.

What happened: - Andriano won the inaugural Gridiron Football (GIC) Under Armour Game on Sunday, July 19, 2026, in Baltimore. - The event was invite-only and powered by Under Armour at Under Armour House Stadium. - Andriano was the only rising eighth grader from the SC Lowcountry selected for Team Verified. - Team Verified won the national title. - Andriano returned to the Lowcountry as a back-to-back national champion.

The details: - GIC is run by former NFL player Ratcliff Thomas. - The GIC roster included Team Verified’s elite 12U group led by Ohio coaching brothers Jason and Jake Velasquez. - The Velasquez brothers also led a previous Team West victory against Andriano’s Team South squad in April 2026. - Andriano’s Team South reached Championship Sunday in April 2026 and finished national runner-up. - Andriano played outside linebacker for Team Verified. - The event brought several former Team South teammates back together on the same national stage. - Andriano also won a tournament with Team 7th Grade White at the Diamond Sports D1 Savage Championship over Memorial Day weekend. - The Lowcountry was represented in the 9U, 10U and 11U divisions, and two Lowcountry youth football coaches were selected to lead national teams. - Andriano is considered the region’s premier 2031 prospect and an FDYP alumnus. - Andriano is committed to three more national games. - Andriano will play his final middle school season this fall at River Oaks Middle School under Coach Del Springs. - River Oaks won last year’s championship and is aiming for another title this year. - The family plans to explore high school options for the 2027-28 school year. - Andriano has said he wants to meet the Mayor of North Charleston to present his national titles. - A spectator said Andriano should be considered a “Natty Boys” player, a reference to the Fort Dorchester Youth Patriots team’s back-to-back national championships. - Contact information listed in the release includes the Andriano family recruitment network at Contact@Pjandriano2.net, GIC at rthomas@gicallstarweekend.com, and River Oaks at delfonte74@gmail.com. - The release also points to Andriano’s Instagram profile and a GIC profile page: Andriano on Instagram and Andriano’s GIC profile.

Between the lines: - The release frames Andriano as a rare two-way youth player with national-level attention at both defensive and offensive spots. - The repeated matchups with Team West and the Velasquez brothers suggest the youth football circuit is small, highly interconnected and increasingly competitive. - The emphasis on local representation points to North Charleston and the wider Lowcountry trying to build a stronger youth football identity around Andriano’s success.

What’s next: - Andriano is scheduled to play three additional national games. - His final middle school season at River Oaks begins this fall. - The family will begin evaluating high school choices for the 2027-28 school year. - Andriano hopes to showcase his titles to North Charleston leadership after the summer run.

The bottom line: - Andriano’s summer has turned him into one of South Carolina youth football’s most visible names, with more national exposure still ahead.