New Standard in Paramount

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Paramount, CA — No games have been played yet under new head coach Malik “Fig” James, but the buzz around Paramount High School football is undeniable. The Pirates are hitting the field hard this spring, and early indicators suggest Coach James is already transforming the program with a clear vision:&nbsp;<strong>fast, physical, and efficient</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The official spring training graphic drops the blueprint loud and clear. James has the Pirates locked in with a demanding yet strategic schedule of joint practices and competitive passing events designed to sharpen execution, build chemistry, and test the roster against quality competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Spring Joint Practice Dates:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>•&nbsp;<strong>April 28</strong>&nbsp;– @ Millikan, 5:00 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>•&nbsp;<strong>May 1</strong>&nbsp;– Showcase @ LB Wilson (TBD)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>•&nbsp;<strong>May 4</strong>&nbsp;– @ San Pedro, 4:45 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>•&nbsp;<strong>May 18</strong>&nbsp;– @ San Pedro, 4:45 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>•&nbsp;<strong>May 27</strong>&nbsp;– @ Paramount (vs. Salesian / Inglewood), 4:45 PM</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Passing Events:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• May 16 – @ Charter Oak Tournament</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• May 30 – @ Dominguez</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• June 13 – @ Alemany</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>• June 27 – @ Colony HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't just “spring ball” — it's a deliberate, high-volume immersion into James' system. The emphasis on joint practices against strong local programs (Millikan, San Pedro, Salesian, Inglewood) shows a coach who wants his team battle-tested before Week 1. The passing tournaments will give skill players valuable reps against varied defenses while showcasing talent to scouts and college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Why the Optimism Feels Real</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>James arrived with instant credibility — a former standout corner with college and pro experience who has built a reputation as a premier player developer and culture architect through his work at Inglewood, Hawkins, and his own James Sports Group/Premium Sports 7v7 program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The returning core is responding.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1709284"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efd9f8c44ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The signal-caller enters his senior season as the clear leader of the offense. At 6'0”, 185 pounds, Moreno is a rhythm-based passer who posted an eye-popping 77% completion rate last fall while showing advanced timing, touch, and pocket awareness. He's also a legitimate dual-threat who can hurt defenses with his legs. With James' offensive background and player-development system, expect Moreno to take a major leap in 2026 — and keep an eye on those college offers that are already trickling in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/zech_moreno/status/1985876116809400466?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/zech_moreno/status/1985876116809400466?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Omari Leopold ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Paramount","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efd9f8c45ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'2”, 190-pound Swiss Army knife is one of the most versatile athletes on the roster. Leopold flashed big-play ability on both sides of the ball in 2025 (including a memorable sack against Mayfair) and will be a focal point of James' schemes on offense and defense. His size, athleticism, and motor make him the kind of two-way threat that wins games in the Gateway League.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/darealagent0/status/2038822339320885731?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/darealagent0/status/2038822339320885731?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nestuh Natapu ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"230","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Paramount","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efd9f8c464c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 6'3”, 230 pounds, Natapu is a physical specimen who already earned Player of the Game honors and racked up sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hurries as a junior. Whether lining up on the edge or sliding inside, he brings the disruptive presence every defensive coordinator dreams of. James' emphasis on player development should only accelerate Natapu's growth into a legitimate college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20741862">https://www.hudl.com/profile/20741862</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2175024"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efd9f8c469b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the young standouts from last year's receiving corps, Anthony showed playmaking ability as a sophomore and will now step into a bigger role. His speed and ball skills give the Pirates a dangerous weapon in the passing game and a reliable defender in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/deonanthony2028/status/2041383385877381439?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/deonanthony2028/status/2041383385877381439?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The message from the new regime is consistent: buy in, work hard, and the results will follow. Players and the community are already echoing that sentiment — the standard really has changed on Downey Avenue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With spring practices ramping up and a clear developmental plan in place, the Pirates look poised for a significant bounce-back in 2026. No pads have popped in live games yet, but the foundation being laid this spring under Coach Fig James has Paramount trending upward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will continue tracking the Pirates' progress through the spring and into summer camp. The ship is turning — and it's turning fast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->