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Boulder Creek’s McFarland is well-rounded player

BY KEATON MALLORY Foothills Focus Staff Writer

ack McFarland is up for any challenge.

The multisport Boulder Creek athlete plays tight end in the fall, pitcher and outfield in the spring, and power forward and center in the winter, all while maintaining a 3.9 grade-point average. He doesn’t bat an eye at it. “One thing I would want everyone to know about me is that I give 110% into everything I do,” McFarland said matter-of-factly. He wants to ultimately bring a championship ring to Boulder Creek, but he also just wants to be the best player and YOUTH

Senior Jack McFarland plays football, baseball and basketball at Boulder Creek High School.

(Photo by Pablo Robles)

person he can be. “I want to be the best at everything I do, whether it’s football or school,” McFarland said. “I just want to be very successful.”

The senior has made it clear that he can accept any challenge, as, in the season opening loss to Highland, he ended the game with seven catches for 123 yards and scored two of Boulder Creek’s three touchdowns. “There wasn’t really a specific game plan to feed me the ball,” McFarland said. “It just kind of worked out in my favor.” Not every game has been as success-

see MCFARLAND page 25

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THE FOOTHILLS FOCUS | THEFOOTHILLSFOCUS.COM | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021

Youth ‘bop to the top’ at Desert Foothills

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Desert Foothills Theatre just snagged 31 ariZoni nominations for its 202021 season — but the best is yet to come. On Friday, Sept. 17, the theater company will open its new season with “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.” at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center.

The production, based on the Disney Channel’s smash-hit movie musical, features two distinct casts — and more than 70 young actors — performing on consecutive weekends.

The White cast, composed of youth ages 7 to 14, will open with performances starting at 7 p.m., Sept. 17. The Red cast, featuring high school students ages 14 to 18, will jump on stage the following week with shows starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. “I was blown away by the number of kids who signed up for auditions,” said Terry Temple, DFT’s managing director. “I said we would consider having two casts for ‘High School Musical’ if we had enough talent, but the response was beyond my expectations.” “Choreographing for two casts has its challenges,” added the show’s choreographer, Emily Temple. “The number of performers in each cast is different, and we have kids from elementary school through

Keagan Smith, 16, and Alaina Lish, 15, rehearse “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.” (Photo by Pablo Robles)

high school. The choreography vision for each cast is similar but distinct based on these variables. These kids bring everything they have to the stage — and that makes my challenge fun.” “High School Musical Jr.” tells the story of Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High as they confront issues of love, friendship and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities. DFT brings these themes to life with a high-energy production featuring show-stopping dancing and beloved musical numbers — like “We’re All in This Together” and “Breaking Free” — while giving performers a chance to do what they love most.

“It’s been so much fun acting, singing and dancing in ‘High School Musical,’” said Brady Molitor, 10, of Cave Creek, a jock in the White cast. “I have learned so much and made so many friends along the way in this show and in other things I have done with DFT.”

The friendships among performers are one of many special aspects of this show. Music director Kent Campbell said he can’t wait for the casts to show off the work they’ve done. “One of my favorite aspects of teaching see MUSICAL page 25

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BEFORE

music to so many talented kids at once is the ‘wall of sound’ in front of me as I direct them,” said Kent Campbell, music director. “There’s no better feeling than hearing this music sung so well and so passionately right in front of me.” Performers are also working hard to perfect their characters for the show. Said 14-year-old Abby Springer, of Mesa, who plays Sharpay in the Red cast, “This has been a real challenge because there are so many sides to Sharpay’s personality. It’s really taking me out of my comfort zone, but I’m working hard to portray the kiss-up, the rich girl, the bully and even the insecure girl underneath it all.” Six weeks since the cast list was posted, DFT is ready for the White cast’s opening this weekend. “We have a younger cast and an older cast, but audiences will not be seeing the ‘cute little ones’ in the younger cast,” Terry said. “They will see top performances from both groups. I couldn’t be prouder.” Added Campbell, “This show and its music really are timeless. It will be enjoyed by audiences both young and old.I hope everyone reading this treats themselves and buys a ticket.” Eight-year-old Hannah DeMeo, of Cave Creek, a cheerleader in the White cast, can’t wait for “High School Musical” to open — in part because she loves the applause of live theater. “Clapping is one of my favorite sounds, so that’s what got me into theater,” she said. “It’s been kind of a challenge to have rehearsal and school, because now I’m in third grade and I have way more homework, but I’m still doing it because it’s the thing I love.”

Considering the challenges of the past year and a half, Terry said, “Our kids not only are ready to get back on stage, but they need the social interactions, friendships and creative challenge.”

“High School Musical Jr.”

WHEN: Various times Friday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 26 WHERE: Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale COST: $25 INFO: dftheater.org ful. A smart and skilled athlete, McFarland was crushed during a sophomore year game when he was running a route, and when the ball came his way, it went through his hands and hit him on the head. Nevertheless, his Boulder Creek career has gone well. He received an offer from South Dakota Mines football and attended numerous college football camps, including those at Harvard, UNLV and Penn, where scouts and coaches had a good look at him. He was also invited to the Hawaii Tiki Bowl, a bowl game for the top high school prospects in the country that takes place in mid to late December. The 6-foot-1-inch, 225-pound Boulder Creek tight end fell in love with flag football at age 5, and the obsession with the sport has continued. When he was younger, his teammates would call him “Little Gronk,” an ode to his favorite player and fellow tight end, Rob Gronkowski. As Gronkowski played for the New England Patriots, that was McFarland’s favorite team. But since Gronkowski has now become a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, he roots for the Bucs. But this has come with some backlash from his peers. “They all call me a bandwagon fan, but I’m just a fan of Gronkowski, you know?” McFarland said enthusiastically. “I’m just a fan of the player.” McFarland was instantly drawn to basketball because of the sport’s similar nature. His grandfather’s skills inspired him to shoot hoops. McFarland has also always loved baseball, as his father got him into the sport. He is attracted to the sport for mainly two reasons. “I love being able to hit the ball and just striking kids out,” said McFarland, who would enjoy spending time in the Bahamas eating his favorite food: steak. McFarland is looking forward to this season, as it is his last ride and he’s ready to give it all he has.

Catch McFarland in action at Millennium High School at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17.