Another East Union receiver is on his way to an NCAA Division I school.
J.P. Abrew locked in his commitment to Air Force on Wednesday during a signing ceremony at East Union’s new small gym two months after teammate Jackson Fay inked with UC Davis.
The Valley Oak League’s Utility Player of the Year visited the academy in Colorado Springs the weekend after he helped the Lancers put away their biggest win in years — a 61-55 upset of top-seeded Twelve Bridges in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs on Nov. 21. He then announced his commitment to Air Force in mid-December.
Abrew also received an offer from Sacramento State. He plans to pursue a business degree.
“I definitely put a lot of thought into it,” Abrew said. “It something different form what I originally saw myself doing, but after I put a lot more thought into it, it was just a no-brainer.
“It goes far beyond athletics. A lot of schools that I was kind of looking into were primarily for athletics, but academics is something I value. They liked that I’m (student body) president and what I do off the field, so that was very impressive. Everything that the academy offered, especially for my future beyond the academy, as well as the love of football, it was truly a no-brainer.”
The nimble Abrew persevered through multiple injuries during his career with East Union and broke out as a senior, collecting 49 receptions for 806 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on four carries. On special teams, he took three of eight kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Abrew racked up a season-high 164 receiving yards and scored on a 68-yard scamper in the thriller at Twelve Bridges of Lincoln, the reigning SJS D-IV champion that was previously undefeated. The Lancers went on to compete in their first section final since 1989, losing in a heartbreaker to Roseville 31-29 on a last-second field goal. They finished 9-4 in the first season under EU alumnus Jason Stock, who was the star running back on that ’89 squad.
“I’m extremely proud, especially of our class of ’26 guys,” Abrew said. “We’ve been through a lot of adversity here and stuck through it. Those really are my brothers, and I’m truly grateful for the experience I had here. Credit to Coach Stock; he came in and rebuilt the culture and did it the right way. It was all gas, no breaks. Great season overall, and I love those guys and the coaches.”
Abrew joins an Air Force team that has largely been competitive under 20-year coach Troy Calhoun. The Falcons went 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference this past fall and 4-8 overall.
He looks forward to teaming up with a former rival.
Oakdale fullback/linebacker Wes Burford is also headed to Air Force after finishing his high school career as a two-time VOL MVP and the new career rushing record holder in the SJS.
“I’ve contacted him a few times since the commitment, and he seems like a great guy,” Abrew said. “His game speaks for itself, and he’s definitely one of the best players I’ve ever played against. I’m excited to be on the same team with him.”
