Small town to national stage: Gonzales seventh-grader Briceson Moore competes at All-American Exposure Bowl

At just 13 years old, Gonzales seventh-grader Briceson “Brice” Moore is already learning that football is about far more than what happens on the field.

Those lessons — rooted in discipline, faith, accountability and purpose — recently carried Moore from his small-town beginnings to a national stage, when he competed in the All-American Exposure Bowl, an invite-only youth football showcase held Jan. 16–18 in Orlando, Florida.

The All-American Exposure Bowl brings together elite middle school athletes from across the country, selecting only a limited number of players through invitation based on camp participation, performance and overall development. For Moore, earning that invitation was the result of years of work, travel and exposure outside Gonzales.

“I was shocked at first,” Moore said. “But after a while, it started to feel real.”

Moore started out playing soccer before finding his way to football at age eight. His father, Steffon Moore, a former football player, now also coaches him on select teams. While football quickly became his passion, he has developed into a multi-sport athlete, also competing in basketball and preparing for his first junior high track season this spring.

“Middle school ball is one level,” Brice said. “Select is faster, stronger, harder. That’s where you really get pushed.”

That push has taken him and his family well beyond Gonzales, as Brice has attended camps, showcases and select tournaments across the region — experiences his parents say are essential for athletes coming from small towns.

“We’re in a small town, and that means you have to work a little harder to be seen,” said Donna Moore, Brice’s mother. “It’s about getting eyes on you. It’s about putting yourself in rooms where people can say, ‘Who is this kid?’”

Those efforts helped lead to Brice’s invitation to the All-American Exposure Bowl, where he competed alongside athletes many consider the top players at their age level within their states. Brice said the experience gave him a clear understanding of where he stands — and where he wants to go.

“I wanted the coaches to notice me,” he said. “I feel like I did that — and I feel like I can still do more.”

Behind the scenes, his schedule is demanding, but his parents say the structure is intentional. Between school practices, select workouts, camps, travel and multiple sports, Moore is rarely idle. Even so, academics remain a priority in the Moore household.

“We’re very clear about it — you’re a student first,” Donna Moore said. “If you miss school for football, you make it up. We stay on top of grades. We communicate. If this is really what he wants, then we help guide him — not force him — toward those goals.”

Steffon describes his role as providing structure, perspective and honesty — both as a coach and as a parent.

“My job is just to be real,” he said. “He’s going to have highs and lows. He’s going to have mishaps. Experience is the best teacher. Sometimes you’ve got to let them learn — just make sure they don’t crash.”

That balance of accountability and support has shaped Brice’s approach not only to football, but to life. His parents emphasize discipline, respect and responsibility just as much as performance, with conversations that extend well beyond the field.

“Football teaches you more than the game,” Brice said. “It teaches respect, discipline, and watching your actions.”

Faith also plays a central role in Brice’s foundation — something his coaches say shows in the way he leads and carries himself. The passing of his grandparents strengthened that connection, and Moore has increasingly leaned into his faith through personal study, youth services and reflection.

“I try to lift my teammates up, even when things go wrong,” Moore said. “I want them to make the next play better.”

Gonzales High School Athletic Director and head football coach Lyndon Hamilton said Moore represents much more than talent.

“He’s an amazing young man,” Hamilton said. “He represents Gonzales extremely well. He’s a fierce competitor, and when he takes his talents out of state, he’s going to shine and help put Gonzales on the map.”

Gonzales Junior High athletic coordinator and football coach Will Heyward said Moore’s character is what truly separates him.

“There are a lot of extraordinary athletes,” Heyward said. “But the great ones are never satisfied. Brice embodies what you want from a student-athlete — wanting to be the best in the classroom, wanting to be the best son, and being a God-fearing young man who comes to work and just soaks everything up.”

For Moore’s parents, the All-American Exposure Bowl reinforced a belief they’ve held for years — that their son belongs on bigger stages, not just in football, but in life.

As Brice continues to train, grow and mature, his coaches and family are careful to emphasize that this moment is not a finish line — but a starting point.

“This is just the start,” Heyward said. “It’s about purpose.”

That purpose, Brice says, extends beyond his own path. While he remains focused on his personal goals, he also wants to see more athletes from Gonzales have the same opportunities he has been given.

“I want my teammates to come up with me,” Brice said. “I want them to get noticed, too.”

His parents echoed that sentiment, saying they hope Brice’s experience encourages other local athletes and families to step outside their comfort zones, attend camps, and believe that recognition is possible — even from a small town.

“There’s room for everyone at the top,” Donna Moore said. “This isn’t just about Brice. We would love to see more kids from Gonzales go to these camps, get exposed, and have the chance to be seen.”

For the Moore family, success isn’t measured solely by individual achievements, but by how many others are inspired along the way.

“We want these kids to know the world is bigger than Gonzales,” Steffon Moore said. “And that they belong in those spaces, too.”

For Brice, that mindset is already taking shape — one rooted in hard work, discipline and faith, with an understanding that the journey is better when shared.

As his path continues to unfold, one thing remains clear: wherever football takes Briceson “Brice” Moore next, he hopes it won’t be alone — but with his teammates and community rising alongside him.