SPORTS
THE MESA TRIBUNE | AUGUST 8, 2021
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TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow
Mtn. View’s Jackson Bowers ready to be playmaker DREW SCHOTT Tribune Staff Writer
J
ackson Bowers’ �irst year of high school football ended before it could even begin. In August 2019, Bowers slipped at home and strained his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that forced him to miss the entire season. As he watched from the sidelines during Mountain View’s 6-6 campaign, all he wanted to do was be on the �ield. If the Toros were winning, Bowers felt he could help them maintain a lead. If they were losing, he could help them mount a comeback. When Bowers returned for the 2020 season, he was excited to play and prepared to work hard after recovering from his ACL injury. This mindset helped guide Bowers to a breakout sophomore year. “It really pushed me,” Bowers said. “But I’m not done yet. I really want to get better. I want to see myself succeed. I want to be the best.” After reeling in 25 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns, people have taken notice of Bowers’ talent. He is a four-star recruit and the �ifth-best player in Arizona for the 2023 recruiting class. Bowers de�ines his game by his routerunning and ability to bring down jump balls — a situation that he says he wins between 90 percent and 100 percent of the time. He demonstrated his skills as a down�ield receiving threat last season by averaging more than 10 yards per catch in six games, as well as his playmaking ability. In a 42-0 win over Dobson, Bowers caught six passes for 97 yards and three touchdowns. Coach Joe Germaine believes there is more to Bowers’ success than just pure talent. His football mind is second to none. “I’m not exactly sure what goes on in
any coverage scheme. Dur- against Skyline, Mountain Pointe and Baing the 2021 season, Bowers sha — opportunities for Bowers to showwill line up out wide and at case his talents to college coaches. the line of scrimmage. AddiThe 166th-ranked recruit in the 2023 tionally, he is working on in- recruiting class, Bowers currently holds line blocking from a three- 12 offers from programs such as Arizona point stance. State, Brigham Young, Utah and WashingAt summer practices, Ger- ton. He took visits to Tempe, Provo and maine asked Bowers what Salt Lake City this summer and plans to plays he likes to run, as well take more following the conclusion of his as if he would want to go junior season. down on the line. This inAs he and the Toros hope for a run to teraction, according to Bow- the state championship, Bowers is ready ers, epitomized his coach’s to showcase who he is: a hard worker, a communication and football leader and a talented tight end. knowledge that he believes “Those other schools that are gonna will open up the offense. see me, it’s gonna open up their eyes to Meanwhile, Germaine be able to watch me this season,” Bowers After a breakout season in 2020, Mountain View star tight praised the Toros’ star tight said. “They’re gonna be able to see what end Jackson Bowers is ready to take the next step in his end for one of his intangible they can get.” ■ high school football career – becoming a dominant pres- qualities: leadence and help lead theToros to a state title. (Pablo Robles/ ership. Tribune Staff) “You gotta rethere, other than the fact that he’s really member he’s just a 16-yearef�icient,” Germaine said. “I think he forms old,” Germaine said. “When pictures of the concepts as you install he talks, people listen. We them the very �irst time. He’s got great re- want him to be a leader by call. He can go back to that picture of what example by his work ethic.” Bowers’ philosophy is that it was on a whiteboard or a walkthrough if each player works hard and and be able to apply it in a live setting.” Understanding Germaine’s scheme will works together, Mountain be key for Bowers’ goal of bringing a state View will be unstoppable. He hopes to lead this charge, but championship back to Mountain View. Germaine, the quarterback of the To- also wants his teammates to ros’ 1993 state championship team, is in see him as someone who can his �irst season as head coach at his alma get the job done. mater after leading Queen Creek. A for“If they need something, mer quarterback at Ohio State who led the they can look towards me Buckeyes to a 1997 Rose Bowl win, Ger- to go and get it for them,” maine is bringing in a pro-style system for Bowers said. “We’re down Bowers and his Mountain View teammates. a touchdown, they’re like Mountain View coach Joe Germaine said Bowers’ physicalImpressed with Bowers’ ball skills and ‘C’mon Jackson, you got this.’” ity and overall football knowledge is second to none. The physicality, Germaine said the tight end is Fresh off a 6-2 campaign, first-year coach and Toro alum often asks what plays he someone who can always get open and use Mountain View’s 6A sched- wants to run, which has built trust and comradery between his six-foot-�ive frame to make plays against ule includes matchups the two. (Pablo Robles/Tribune Staff)
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