Paloma Valley football team hosts passing tournament

Paloma Valley quarterback Brady Nelson drops back to pass during the Top Gun Tournament. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Paloma Valley High football program played host to 20 varsity and 16 lower level teams Saturday in the first Top Gun Passing Tournament and Big Man lineman competition.

Such competitions give valuable extra experience to players without pads prior to the official opening of preseason practice. The Wildcats’ first day of practice in pads will be July 31 in preparation for an Aug. 24 season opener at Moreno Valley.

Cypress High finished 8-0 in passing league competition to win that title. Chaparral dominated the Big Man competition, which included events such as Five-Man Sled, Tractor Tire Flip and Tug of War. Paloma Valley won two of six scrimmages in the passing competition while returning quarterback Brady Nelson got valuable playing time.

“Brady has super experience and a strong arm,” said Paloma Valley coach Juan Merida. “He has a good knowledge of the game. He’s figuring out the new offense ahead of the point where I thought he’d be.”

The Wildcats will compete this coming week in a passing tournament at Santiago High in Corona before taking a few days off before opening fall practice July 27 with three days without pads.

A Wildcats receiver tries to turn the corner on a defender. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 Linemen took part in Big Man competitions, including a 5-man sled event. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)

 

The Tractor Tire Flip was one of the events in the Big Man competition. (Photo by Action Captures Media Group)