Cen-Cal Passing Down Recap

Field Up showed they are the team of the future by their performance this past Sunday in Elk Grove, CA. Every tournament they have taken their play up a notch; this outing was no different. A team full of young and for the most part unrecognized talent came out and put on a show.

Game 1 featured a matchup against Team S.W.A.G.G., a group of great athletes out of the central valley. Similar to Field Up, they too have a team where no player possesses a solid scholarship offer. That hunger fueled them as they went on to become the eventual champions of the tournament. Field Up gave S.W.A.G.G. a great game, but fell short by a touchdown in the final minutes of play.

Following game 1, Field Up squared off against Team Warriors. Field Up begin to click on all levels, capped off by a pick 6 from Edison High LB Xavier Hamilton. For the second consecutive game Field Up put up 3 or more touchdowns, showing the strength of their offense. The final outcome was 18-7 in favor of Field Up.

Field Up entered the playoffs with a respectable 2nd seed and were matched up with the highly talented TMP Elite squad. TMP features an extensive lineup of guys who are guaranteed to play at the next level. For Field Up it was the ultimate test.. the roof that needed to be busted. And bust through they did.. playing a seemingly perfect game and going blow for blow with TMP's speed and athleticism. There was an abundance of controversial calls and non-calls during the game, most notably a "delay of game" penalty on Field Up during an extra point attempt, which was voided. Field Up still had a chance at the end as they were trailing by one point within the 10 yard line with under a minute to play. Unfortunately, Field Up went 3 and out and TMP advanced to play S.W.A.G.G. Many spectators were in admiration of the game that Field Up had played and it truly showed how far they have come since their first tournament together. It only gets better from here.

Clovis High Jr QB Kyle Lawson had a coming out party in his debut as the starter throwing accurate passes and showing poise by routinely going through his reads and finding the open receivers. His favorite target on the day was Buchanan High Jr WR Russell McClung who caught 18 passes and had 4 TDs. McClung did a number on TMP's stingy defense working their zones and using crafty route running. McClung has been a leader on offense helping young receivers like Buchanan High Frosh WR Blake Wells, Immanuel High Frosh Jonathan Gurrola, and Clovis West High Soph WR Austin Gregson come out of their shells. Gregson had a solid day with 8 catches and a pair of TDs. Clovis High super Soph JJ Wills did what he always does and elevated. Wills had a number of acrobatic catches and showed strength in traffic. Wills ended the day with 11 catches and a 3 TDs, while also recording 2 pass breakups at safety. Clovis High Soph RBs Christian Copeland and Tyler Estrada managed the backfield very well.. Estrada recorded a TD and Copeland had multiple receptions for 1st downs.

Field Up defense improved drastically, showing physicality and awareness. Newcomer Edison High Jr LB Xavier Hamilton made his presence known recording 3 pass breakups, including an interception returned for a TD. Immanuel High Soph LB Cody King and Clovis West High Soph LB Bryan Wilcots had 3 pass breakups apiece and made residence in the middle of the field. Clovis High Jr Hank Wiggins led all defenders with 6 pass breakups on the day. He was constantly tested deep and held his own against a talented group of TMP receivers. Field Up lost ball-hawking Clovis East Soph DB Joe Moreno to injury early which allowed young Central High Frosh AJ Lopez to come in and gain valuable experience. Clovis West Jr FS Tristan Edwards recorded 5 pass breakups on the day. Clovis High Soph SS John Zamora also recorded 5 pass breakups, respectively. The defense is still growing together and will be a force to be reckoned with in future tournaments.

Field Up is excited to continue their rise and will be competing in various tournaments throughout the summer up until fall camp. In June, Field Up will also host a tryout for incoming freshman who are interested in being a part of our family.

As One!!!

QB, Kyle Lawson