JP Abrew, Jackson Fay and Kirk Simoni take pride in carrying their family names, and in the last four years, they’ve done so together as second-generation Lancers.

They’re sons, nephews and cousins of East Union alumni, some of whom have returned to their old stomping grounds to take on leadership roles.

And they’re big reasons why the Lancers’ football team is off to a blistering 5-0 start, blowing past every opponent including cross-town rival Sierra last Friday in a 69-14 homecoming romp.

First-year coach Jason Stock hopes to pass on values he and other East Union alums picked up from legendary coaches such as Jim Brown and Bill Stricker. Many of the assistants in Stock’s program are also alumni.

“It helps carry on the tradition of the school and some of the beliefs and standards that our coaches before us held,” Stock said. “A lot of their parents played under Coach Brown and Coach Stricker, and it helps with the buy-in. It’s nice to have alumni involvement.”

The Simoni name is familiar on campus.

Both of Kirk’s parents, Eric and Carey, are East Union graduates who went on to become educators. In fact, his dad is the principal at the school, where he previously coached basketball and baseball.

“Anytime you have parents in leadership roles at schools, it can come with extra attention, I guess you can say,” Kirk Simoni said. “But it’s fun to be able to always have family around and have that good structure at home as well as at school.”

He’s having a lot of fun as a fourth-year varsity quarterback at EU. In 2002, Simoni was elevated from the freshman squad to play in the varsity team’s regular-season finale, and Fay joined him in the postseason.

Simoni experienced growing pains and inconsistent playing time the next two years but is now flourishing with the help of new offensive coordinator Teejay Gordon — a former quarterback and multi-sport star at EU.

Simoni has had an efficient senior campaign, so far, connecting on 43 of 64 passes (67.2%) for 932 yards, 16 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also contributes to the running game, with 210 yards and three TDs on 27 carries.

Simoni credits the coaches for his and the team’s current success, but the chemistry he has with Abrew and Fay is palpable. The three started out playing baseball together and were on the same travel-ball team while in elementary school.

“It’s a great time with these guys,” Simoni said. “They’re awesome people, and I enjoy hanging out with them all the time. The connection piece goes from way back and it shows on the field. We just click with each other. We have good team chemistry, and we’ve had that all our lives.”

East Union’s homecoming game was also a family get-together for the Abrews.

JP Abrew returned from a sore hamstring that kept him out for a game and produced four receptions, 108 yards and two touchdowns at the expense of his uncle and Sierra

“Finally got one against him, so this is my favorite game of the year, for sure,” JP said. “We’re competitive at family events already, so getting to play on a big stage like this is awesome. We’re super competitive with each other, and I think I play him in fantasy (football) in like two weeks, so it doesn’t end here.”

JP’s dad, John, and Jeff are East Union products. Younger brother Max is the quarterback on the JV team coached by John.

“I definitely take pride in my family’s name, so I have to play for it” JP Abrew said. “They’ve built a great legacy around the city and at East Union. I’m honored to be an Abrew.”

JP is leaving his own mark on campus, not just with his involvement in sports, as he also serves as student body president.

Abrew (11 receptions, 293 yards, four TDs) and Fay — both four-sport athletes — form a tantalizing tandem at the receiver spots, in large part because of their speed.

And no one in the area is as fast as Fay.

Sprinting, of course, is in his blood.

Fay’s uncle, Demitrius Snaer, is a former track star at East Union who has helped coach the track and cross country teams over the years. His daughters, Jadyn and Taylor, had prolific athletic careers at EU and continued sprinting for top Division I universities in the state.

Last spring, Fay’s improved times in the 100-meter dash and qualification for the state meet helped him land his first offers from Division I football programs, and he has since committed to UC Davis.

He put that speed on display on the final play of the game on Friday, bolting to a 91-yard touchdown on a kickoff return.

Like Simoni and Abrew, Fay also has family on campus. Younger brother Gunnar is a sophomore starting at free safety for the varsity team, and their mom, Michele Snaer-Fay, is East Union’s cheer advisor.

“I’m representing my last name in everything I do, whether that’s at school or in sports” Jackson Fay said. “It’s an awesome privilege to have.”

Fay is one of the top scorers in the state with 13 touchdowns, three coming on special teams returns, and his talents are being used both in the run game (15 carries, 264 yards) and passing game (16 receptions, 343 yards).

To Fay, the team’s 5-0 record is more important than any of his personal contributions. He, Abrew and Simoni are part of a class that has been hyped since the group went 9-1 at the freshman level. They were left feeling unfulfilled the next two seasons, but things are finally coming together for EU’s 2026ers under their third head coach in three years.

“It’s a good group of young men, on and off the field,” Stock said. “They’re good in the classroom, respectful they’re and I can’t say enough good things about them. They’re all good teammates who are focused on a common goal, and that’s winning. That’s the one thing I noticed about these guys. It doesn’t matter who gets what, at the end of the day, they’re all about the team and the end result.”

The end results have been staggering, so far.

On Aug. 29, the Lancers broke a single-game game scoring record in their 83-19 conquest of Freedom in Oakley. They’re averaging an astounding 64.8 points and winning by an average margin of 52 points.

“This is a surprise to everyone but us,” Fay said. “We’ve believed in this since our freshman year. We’ve been working hard through the ups and downs. It has been a roller coaster, but I think we’re finally showing everyone what we can do — what we know we can do.”

Now, it’s time for them to show it against the mightiest teams in the Valley Oak League starting this Friday at Patterson.

It’s an unforgiving stretch in East Union’s schedule, that resumes with another road game to Oakdale, a return home to face Central Catholic then a showdown with reigning champion Manteca before a long-awaited Week 9 bye.