Images of the Cen Cal regional

I took the drive up the I-5 North for Passing Down's Cen Cal regional held on April 12 at Sacramento's Inderkum High School. Great watching the best Northern and Central California had to offer. Here's some pictures from the event (all photos by Lorenzo J. Reyna):

Shohfi puts on a show

J.P. Shohfi has tormented defenses under the lights at San Marino High School in Southern California. While he's drawn interest from Yale and Washington State, the Class of 2016 prospect is still searching for his first offer (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna)

On a team loaded with players holding scholarship offers from Florida State, Oregon, USC and other big time universities, J.P. Shohfi has been running through defensive backs with the hope he can stack the offers; just like his B2G teammates.

The underrated San Marino High School wide receiver hasn’t received his first scholarship pledge yet. But with the way he plays receiver, he has the look of a prospect who should be piling the scholarship offers - just like his more heralded B2G teammates.

While Shohfi may not have the star power compared to fellow B2G receivers Javon McKinley and Jack Jones (both hold a combined 36 offers), the 6’1”, 185 pound Shohfi creates the kind of plays that can get college coaches asking more about him.

At San Marino, Shohfi turns the short pass into a long distance touchdown run. He fools cornerbacks with his head fake and quick feet, giving him a cushion to make the catch and then gain extra yards. He’ll even sacrifice his body to swoop up the tough middle and sideline grabs.

He was the extra playmaker B2G needed for its title run at the Passing Down So Cal regional on March 29, with Shohfi hauling in the sideline and middle grabs. His performance against some of Southern California’s top athletes sent this message to colleges overlooking him:

“I may not be the tallest guy, but I run really good routes, I’ve got hands and I caught every ball that was thrown my way today,” Shohfi said.

Lately, Shohfi has been having conversations with Yale, adding “they’ve been talking to me a lot.” Outside of the celebrated Ivy League school, Washington State of the PAC-12 has reached out to him.

Still, Shohfi has been waiting patiently on offer No. 1.

“I haven’t been getting much (attention), but I’m still out here working,” Shohfi said.

He credits the practices at B2G for helping him improve on the football field.

“It’s insane and ridiculous. Every weekend, we come out here and you’re playing against these 4-star and 5-star guys,” Shohfi said. “It’s really cool because it’s the best competition you’ll get and I get to play against these talented defensive backs and receivers. Once I get back to my high school, it makes it a whole lot easier because I played against these top level athletes.”

One player he resembles is recent Stanford commit Trent Irwin, who not only was trying to earn his recognition on the recruiting trail, but was Shohfi’s B2G teammate last season.

“He was the guy I learned from and I was the guy coming up,” Shohfi said. “Trent was the guy I wanted to be like. He runs great routes, he has great hands and he improved the most. He has the skill sets I want as a receiver and that’s really helped me today plus the future as well.”

Before returning to B2G during the spring, he put up colossal numbers at San Marino last season: 82 catches, 1,821 yards and 25 touchdowns for a Titans team finishing 9-3 in 2014-15.

Shohfi is not only seeking his first scholarship pledge, he knows he and his teammates will have a bull’s-eye on their backs once they enter Fullerton College for Passing Down’s Best of the West championships on April 26.

“We always have a target on our back. People see us as that elite team,” Shohfi said. “We’re the ones people hate and who people want to beat. We have to come out and stay focused. We have the best athletes in the nation here, so we’ve got to keep working.”

Peus amazed by Ivy League tour

Brent Peus of Santa Barbara High stands inside Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, the home of the University of Columbia Lions. Peus visited four different Ivy League schools including Columbia during the week of March 28 (contributed photo). 

From March 28 to April 4, Santa Barbara High quarterback Brent Peus got a chance to walk around the campuses of four different Ivy League schools; with the possibility that one of them could be his future collegiate home.

The Class of 2016 prospect took unofficial visits to Princeton, Yale, Columbia and Penn before the Easter holiday. Peus got a chance to interact with the coaches and some of the players at the distinguished universities.

“All of the campuses were amazing and the quality of the facilities was a pleasant surprise to me at each of the schools,” Peus said. “I also got a chance to talk to some of the players at Yale and Penn. They were incredibly friendly guys who seemed like the type of people I would love to play with.

“Every coach I met with presented their respective programs in a very inviting way,” Peus continued. “I was impressed with the quality of the players and coaches and the fact that they run their teams like big time programs.”

Peus has played on Santa Barbara High’s varsity football team since his sophomore year. He has 3,800 career passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Last season, the 6’3” Peus completed 64.9% of his throws and finished with a quarterback rating of 90.4, as the Dons finished the season 4-6.

Peus - who holds a 4.6 grade point average - does have family ties with one of the prestigious schools he walked around in.

“Both of my parents went to Princeton. So naturally, I have been drawn to that school,” Peus said. “But after seeing what the rest of the schools have to offer, I could easily envision myself at any of them. All of the coaches were great and the overall quality of the schools is incredible.”

Peus adds that some of the programs want to watch him throw the football at their upcoming summer camps. Outside of the four Ivy League teams, Peus has also gotten interest from Northwestern, Stanford, Brigham Young and Baylor.

Young DB is about to 'Rize Up'

Elijah Gates could soon become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail because of his play making ability on defense. He's also the young cousin of future NFL draft pick Shaq Thompson (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna).

Elijah Gates doesn’t have to go far to learn the defensive back position or figure out a way to make his impact on the football field.

He turns to a prominent college football name who happens to be in the Gates’ family tree: Shaq Thompson, who’s a future NFL draft pick and former University of Washington star.

“My cousin is Shaq,” Gates said. “I have a lot of football conversations with him. We have a good relationship. He tells me to stay focused, keep my grades up and stay on the right path.”

Gates, who will suit up for Orange County powerhouse Buena Park High in the fall, is now surfacing as a top playmaking high school defensive back in California; just like his cousin back in 2011-12.

Gates swerves to his left during an interception at Passing Down's So Cal regional on March 29 in Fontana (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna). 

At Passing Down’s So Cal regional on March 29 in Fontana, Gates - who’s a Class of 2017 prospect - flew to the football like a hawk locating its prey and used both of his hands to snatch the rock. Along with his reaction skills, Gates showed off his big play capability by running past and juking out defenders with the ball in his hands after an interception was made.

Gates said the cornerback position is where he’s played all of his life, but added he goes both ways too. He also discussed what his strengths are.

“My ball skills,” Gates said. “I’m very good about locating the ball. I’m also good at pressing. But there’s still a lot of things I need to work on.”

Gates, who played varsity football as a sophomore at Alemany High of Mission Hills last season, said “working on my breaks and attacking more” are two areas he would like to improve on.

He not only came to Fontana’s Ralph Lewis Sports Park seeking to get exposure on the recruiting trial, but so did his club team Rize Up.

The 7on7 unit comprised of 2017 and ‘19 players. But the young squad went from Passing Down newcomer to Best of the West qualifier. Rize Up stunned the 56-team field by clinching the No. 1 seed in the Instinct Pod and then finished 5-1 overall, earning a top eight spot and a future appearance in the BOTW tournament at Fullerton College on April 26.

“We did an excellent job. I’m very happy with my teammates and how they came out,” Gates said. “We’re a young team, but all of this competition will make us better over the years. We’re determined. We really wanted it. Anything we need to do, we’re going to go get it. We’re a new powerhouse.”

With nearly one month to prepare for the BOTW, Gates will also use his spare time to seek out his first scholarship offer; something his renown cousin Thompson did while he was in high school. Thompson ended up with 11 scholarship offers before settling on the Huskies in December of 2012.

Has Gates received any collegiate love?

“Not yet,” Gates said. “But I know they’re coming.”

Hicks proves to be a game changer, and is now piling the offers

Jamal Hicks of Narbonne (Harbor City) dazzled the spectators at Passing Down's So Cal regional on March 29 by combining his blend of size and speed on the field; which led to six interceptions on the day (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna).

Jamal Hicks entered Fontana’s Ralph Lewis Sports park proudly wearing bright neon colors that screamed the name “Gamechangers” across his chest.

He ended his day shining bright on the football field - just like the lettering on his shirt.

Hicks - a Class of 2016 prospect from Narbonne High in Harbor City - used his angle pursuits, reaction skills and speed to emerge as one of the top defenders at Passing Down’s So Cal regional on March 29. The 6’3” Hicks collected six interceptions on the day for his squad Gamechangers L.A.

Hicks rumbles down the field after snatching an interception during pool play of the Passing Down So Cal regional held at Fontana's Ralph Lewis Sports Park (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna). 

“I just like competition. I love to play the game and I want to prove that I’m the best out here,” Hicks said.

When the Friday night lights beam down on him at Narbonne, Hicks becomes the tall safety chasing down the ball or the rugged defender burying his shoulders into anyone who dares to cross his way. He doubles as a ball-hawking defensive back and intimidating hitter for NHS.

The junior has received comparisons to Kam Chancellor from people who’ve watched him in the Los Angeles region. Ironically, Hicks idolizes the star safety from the Seattle Seahawks.

“He’s aggressive. He’s a monster on the field. And I turn into a monster on the field,” Hicks said.

At the So Cal regional, Hicks closed quick on the ball and used both hands to snatch the rock. He also showed his speed after the pick and became a scoring threat on defense.

Hicks, though, acknowledges that he’s still trying to build his game, which was why he linked up with former University of Oregon wide receiver James Finley and his team Gamechangers L.A.

“Right now, I’m working on my coverage skills, mainly in man coverage,” Hicks said. “My biggest factor is man-to-man skills. I need to work on my hips more too.”

Hicks is one of Gamechangers L.A.’s top college prospects; with four scholarship offers from Nevada, Colorado State, UNLV and Hawaii in his possession.

He said he’s not rushing to make a decision yet.

“This is a really important aspect of my life, so I have to really look into it,” Hicks said.

He adds that those scholarship offers motivate him to emerge as one of California’s top game-changing safeties.

“I’m hungrier than ever,“ Hicks said. “I know I can play with the best of them. I just have to work hard every day.”

T1 camp returning to Fresno

The third annual T1 Sports Academy camp is fast approaching, with the event scheduled for April 12 at Holman Park in Fresno.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. The camp will hold two sessions: a youth camp from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., then the elite showcase involving current high school players which takes place from 1:30 p.m. and concludes at 4.

An awards ceremony is also part of the festivities, which begins at 4:30 p.m. The three awards are the All-Camp Team, All-Academic Team and the Travon Jones Award, which honors the Most Valuable Player of the event.

Previous award winners have moved on to the collegiate level: Dejonte O'Neal (running back, Fresno State), Tyler Horton (athlete, Boise State) and Zeandea Johnson (defensive end, Cal).

Events will include a 7-on-7 competition and lineman challenge. Former and current NCAA Division I/professional football athletes will be coaching.

Pre-registration costs $69. Registration at the gate is $89.

For more information, call (925) 324-5892 or visit the website at www.t1sa.com.