Field Up Jr. team (6th/7th/8th graders) wins the inaugural Junior Division Passing Down 7on7 Tournament. The explosive offense was led by QBs Mitch Maggini (Riverdale) and Trent Thompkins (Central); WR Dylan Lopez (Fowler) was the top target of the day. The defense led by safety duo Tyler Hodges (Immanuel) and Porter Sharp (Clovis West) was stingy and amassed multiple pick 6's and pass breakups. 6'1" ATH Sharp earned the MVP award for his efforts on both sides of the ball. Field Up is based in Fresno, CA. This Monday evening 4 Field Up athletes took the field at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, CA to perform agility drills, position drills, and 1on1s in front of the Sacramento State coaching staff. From prayer beforehand to the end of the camp the boys were loose and focused. Their clear comfort with the combine and competition atmosphere can be strongly attested to their strong showings at Passing Down and other 7on7 tournaments that they've attended. During drills the Field Up boys stood out and were the first ones in line to demonstrate and set the tone for the exercise. During and after the camp all of the boys had quality personal conversations with their respective position coaches and were impressed with how genuine and embracing the Sac State staff was.
LB Xavier Hamilton (Edison) was a force Monday evening. In 1on1s he routinely jammed his opponent into the ground. His pass coverage was also well-improved as he showed serious speed from his 230 lb. frame. WR Russell McClung (Buchanan) had a strong showing, catching consistently in 1on1s and demonstrating effective route running. As he showed at Fresno State, he crushed agility drills by showing his fast feet and fluid hips. QB Kyle Lawson (Clovis) showed comfort and consistency throughout the evening. In position drills he was accurate and showed a lot of power in his throws. You could see his athleticism during agility drills as he cruised through change of direction exercises. During 1on1s he routinely completed long passes downfield with accuracy, including one beauty to fellow Field Up WR Russell McClung for a TD. DB Hank Wiggins (Clovis) was clearly the star of the defensive secondary, if not the whole camp. After crushing agility and position drills with ease he switched it on even more in 1on1s. Time after time he bullied wide receivers, using speed and technique to keep the ball out of their hands. He held the most reps out of all DBs and drew much interest from the coaching staff. Wiggins also showed excellent off-coverage skills, as he has been touted much as a premier press corner, he wanted to show his versatility. Videos and photos of the night can be seen at http://instagram.com/elonpaige Courtesy: Lorenzo Reyna, Passing Down media specialist
Team Field Up’s label of “up-and-comer” at Passing Down has officially been shed, as the rising squad from the Central Valley of California won the inaugural Passing Down Junior Division 7-on-7 Showcase on Saturday, June 21, at Inderkum High School in Sacramento. Field Up’s junior team went 3-1 in the tournament and got the upper hand over Team ASAP 26-8 in the championship game. It’s the first championship for Field Up and head coach Elon Paige at Passing Down. “It’s a definitely a blessing. These are a great group of kids. They poured their heart and soul into this,” Paige said. “They had adversity, but they rose up. That’s what it’s all about.” The team comprising of Fresno, Clovis, Fowler and Riverdale talent brought a high-octane offense to the Inderkum football field and unleashed an array of bombs on defenses. Mitchell Maggini, an incoming freshman at Riverdale High, helped carve up defenses with his powerful right arm and impressed with his deep ball capability. Fellow quarterback Trent Thompkins of Fresno showed his effectiveness with the short passing game. The top playmaker on the field, though, was Porter Sharp, an incoming 6-foot-1 freshman at Clovis West. Sharp had the two biggest plays in crunch time. He caught a deep touchdown catch against Diverse Sports of Stockton, when he turned himself and adjusted to the ball in the right corner of the end zone during the 7-6 semifinal victory. Then, he began the title game with a 40-yard interception return from the end zone. Sharp’s size made him a mismatch against opposing defensive backs. Field Up proved it was a team of the future at two Passing Down high school elite 7-on-7 events during the spring. It clinched a No. 3 and No. 2 playoff seed at the high school Nor Cal and Cen Cal elite regional, respectively, but fell in the first round. This time, Field Up shook off an early 20-14 loss to ASAP by beating Diverse Sports twice then knocking off ASAP for the title. The championship run is proof that Field Up’s future with Passing Down is bright. Paige was impressed with the cohesion of his junior squad. “Guys started to rally around each other and pick each other up,” Paige said. “We made a statement today. There’s so much potential and growth here.” Youth athletes Kannon Campbell and Sloan Swan were the torchbearers for this summer, literally starting off hot.. working out in 100+ degree heat in the middle of the day on Monday. All Purpose Field athletes start their workouts this week and will be monitored and evaluated throughout the summer in order to be ready for their respective seasons. After a successful first camp in late May, Purpose Field director Élon Paige will head up to San Jose, CA in July to host another camp for high school athletes. We are excited for the opportunities that have risen up through positive affiliations and consistent, reliable performance. Special thanks to NFL vet Sherman Cocroft and the 7on7 Football Training Academy for their trust and faith in the movement.
Purpose Field held its 1st annual family bbq this past weekend. The Purpose Field families were brought together under one roof for a great evening of swimming, food, personal sharing from parents and Mrs. Paige, and a great talent show put on by the athletes. Fellowship and family are cornerstones within Purpose Field and we look forward to more great events in the future. Buchanan WR Russell McClung performed this past Sunday at Fresno State's elite camp. His numbers were very similar to his Nike Sparq scores, posting a 4.58 in the forty-yard dash and a 35" vertical jump. McClung looked smooth and agile in position drills, working both at defensive back and wide receiver. He has a number of scheduled camps in June and we are in faith that he will continue to improve and make an impression on every campus that he steps on. This is a tweet from one of my players who was involved in a vicious car accident. He was this close to losing his life..
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