Beyond the ordinary
This is where our journey begins. Get to know our organization and what we do, and how we're committed to our youth, advancing their football skills and opportunities for success. Join us as we grow and succeed together. We're glad you're here to be a part of our story.
About Us
Madtown 7on7 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing football athletes ages 14 to 17 by advancing their football education and athletic skills. Founded in 2024 by young adults who wanted to make a positive impact in their hometown and support underprivileged youth in our community. Our volunteer coaches are former football players and collegiate athletes who donate their time, knowledge, and experience to support local youth. They create opportunities for local young athletes to participate in competitive football while providing mentorship, positive role models, and opportunities for personal growth.
Our coaches serve a community of hardworking student-athletes who aspire to better themselves. They strive to develop players’ athletic skills while exposing them to next-level competition. We encourage positive and active involvement in our community and promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles. Players are expected to maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, prioritize their health, demonstrate good citizenship, and remain committed to making positive choices. Madtown 7on7 is dedicated to developing football skills and athletic ability, which requires commitment from our players.
The 7on7 season runs from January to May. This athletic program of training and development will have weekly practice sessions. Our teams will participate in competitive tournaments which usually require travel out of town on Saturday and/or Sunday. Players provide their own transportation, and we ask for parents who are available to help with carpooling. Once we have a roster of committed players, coaches will develop a practice and tournament schedule to share.
Each season requires uniforms, protective gear, tournament registration fees, out-of-town travel expenses, in addition to food and drink costs. This requires each player to make an effort to seek contributions and sponsorships from businesses, friends, and family.
Frequently asked questions
Meet our team leaders
Behind everything we do is a dedicated volunteer, each bringing their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our program.
Joe Sanchez
Volunteer Coach and President, Madtown 7on7
Joe, (aka "Coach Joe"), is a co-founder of Madtown 7 on 7 and a dedicated youth coach and mentor committed to creating positive opportunities for young people in Madera. After moving to Madera, Joe brought his experience in 7-on-7 football and helped establish Madera’s first 7-on-7 football program.
Joe began working with youth while still in high school and became a coach in 2013. Since then, he has focused on supporting young people academically, athletically, and personally. His coaching emphasizes mentorship, accountability, leadership, discipline, and preparing youth for success beyond sports.
His commitment to youth development was further shaped by internships at local juvenile detention centers in 2015 and 2016, where he gained firsthand insight into the challenges facing young people and the importance of early intervention and positive adult support.
Through Madtown 7 on 7, Joe provides youth with a structured environment where they can build confidence, develop life skills, form positive relationships, and make healthy, responsible, and drug-free choices. He believes athletics can be a pathway to mentorship, personal growth, education, and greater opportunities.
Joe and the Madtown 7 on 7 coaching team have personally invested their time and resources to provide youth with access to transportation, equipment, tournaments, and other opportunities to participate and succeed. His goal is to help young people recognize their potential, overcome barriers, and build a positive future.
Joe has over 10 years of mentoring and working with the youth.
Cristian Ceja
Volunteer Coach and Treasurer, Madtown 7on7
Cristian, (aka "Coach Ceja"), is a co-founder of Madtown 7 on 7 and a dedicated youth coach and mentor serving the Madera community. A lifelong Madera athlete, Cristian was a three-sport athlete at Madera High School before playing collegiate football at Merced College and Kentucky Christian University.
After returning to his hometown, Cristian wanted to share his collegiate football experience while providing Madera youth the guidance and opportunities he wished he had growing up. Through their shared passion for football and commitment to youth, Joe Sanchez and Cristian Ceja’s paths came together, leading them to co-found and establish Madera’s first 7-on-7 football program. Their combined playing and coaching experiences created an opportunity to provide local youth with access to competitive football, mentorship, positive role models, and personal growth opportunities.
Cristian focuses on more than athletics, helping Madera youth build confidence, discipline, accountability, and leadership while encouraging their academic and personal goals. Through Madtown 7 on 7, he creates meaningful relationships and opportunities that help youth succeed on and off the field.
He strongly advocates for physical health and wellness, encouraging youth to stay active, make healthy choices, and understand the importance of what they put into their bodies. He also personally trains athletes pursuing competitive football.
Cristian holds an Associate degree from Merced College and a Bachelor’s degree from Kentucky Christian University. He currently works as a substitute teacher and assistant football coach at a local high school, allowing him to support students both in the classroom and on the field.
Cristian has over 10 years of mentoring and working with the youth.
Justin Landero
Volunteer Coach, Madtown 7on7
Justin, (aka "Coach Landero"), is a lifelong resident of Madera, California, and a graduate of Madera High School. He holds an Associate of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences from Merced College and played collegiate football at Merced College before transferring to Wayne State College in Nebraska.
Justin has coached football since 2022 and currently serves as a Safety Officer for Madera Unified School District while coaching at a local high school and middle school. Through these roles, he has developed a strong commitment to supporting and mentoring local youth.
Justin believes coaching is about more than teaching football. His goal is to help student-athletes develop discipline, confidence, leadership, and academic and personal skills that prepare them for success beyond the field. He is passionate about helping young people recognize their potential and become the best version of themselves.
Having witnessed the harmful effects of drug and alcohol abuse on individuals and families while growing up, Justin understands the importance of positive guidance, strong family support, education, and healthy decision-making. He strives to instill these values in the young people he coaches while connecting students and families with support when substance-use concerns arise.
Justin’s commitment to service is grounded in an “earn it” mentality and a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Through coaching, education, and his work with Madera Unified, he is dedicated to giving back to his community and helping Madera youth pursue their fullest potential.
Justin has over 5 years of mentoring and working with youth.
Eva Ceja
Volunteer Secretary, Madtown 7on7
Eva, (aka "Momma Ceja"), volunteers her time to help support its mission to provide meaningful opportunities for underserved local youth while promoting health, wellness, and well-being; strengthening community engagement; and helping combat juvenile delinquency and community deterioration. All efforts are dedicated to creating positive futures for Madera’s youth through mentorship guidance, encouraging them to stay active, make healthy choices, and avoid the dangers of substance abuse.
Eva is especially inspired by the young adult leaders of Madtown 7 on 7 and the positive impact they are making in their hometown. Joe and Cristian’s grassroots efforts and their commitment to creating opportunities for local youth—often while funding much of the program themselves—motivated Eva to step in and strengthen their efforts, help them organize, and support their vision for empowering Madera’s youth. She takes pride in watching the program grow and seeing more volunteer coaches step forward to support the increasing number of youth participating.
She witnesses how the coaches’ experiences and brighter futures can inspire the youth they serve to give back and create positive opportunities for the next generation, fostering a lasting cycle of mentorship, community service, and opportunity.
Professionally, Eva works as a paralegal, bringing organization, dedication, and attention to detail to her role at Madtown 7 on 7. Married to Luis, for 30 years, they raised seven children of their own. Her commitment to serving and mentoring youth extends beyond Madtown 7 on 7. Through her past involvement in church youth ministries and her work with young people, she brings more than 25 years of experience mentoring and supporting youth.
Ready to get involved or join the team?
Sign up for our upcoming athletic season or learn how you can support our charitable youth development program in Madera, California.