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SPORTS
THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 26, 2021
TheMesaTribune.com @EVTNow /EVTNow
HJCAC providing opportunity for football players BY SAM STERN Tribune Contributor
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hen one hears the words, “junior college athletics,” they tend to underestimate the impact this transitional level of competition can have on a student athlete on and off the field. For the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference, commonly known as HJCAC, coaches have made it their utmost priority to sculpt their players into not only wellrounded athletes, but also respectable members of society. In 2019, the league was founded by former community college coaches, Doug Madoski and executive director, Steven Weiss. A year prior, the Maricopa Community Colleges decided to drop junior college football due to financial reasons stemming from the Arizona legislature eliminating state funding. After hearing the news, Madoski and Weiss hopped over to the drawing board and figured out a way to provide a collaborative experience that focused on academic and athletic growth.
for those student athletes, didn’t mean that those opportunities had to go away,” Weiss said. “So, we did what we could to get creative to find a way that maintains those opportunities and continues to offer an adAlec Horne, “left,” the associate head coach of the Salt River Scorpions, knows va n c e m e n t how crucial the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference is for players for young seeking opportunities to further their athletic careers. That’s why he has con- p e o p l e ’ s tinued to coach in the league since its inception. (Courtesy Alec Horne) academic fu“We looked at it like, just because the cur- ture.” The two of them planted the seed and rent community college structure wasn’t interested in maintaining opportunities have watched it grow into a conference
that currently consists of five teams including the Maricopa Mustangs, Salt River Scorpions, Gila River Hawks, Papago Pumas and the Sonoran Sidewinders. They launched with four total teams across the East and West Valley and have since expanded all the way to Tucson to incorporate the Sidewinders into the fold. All five head coaches have not only led football teams in the past, but some have taken the junior college route themselves and have that unique perspective to instill in their players. Brandon Payne, head coach of the Papago Pumas, is just one of many coaches that has walked the junior college path and knows what it takes to make it to the next level. A Texas native, Payne started his playing career at Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas. As a dominant cornerback, he led the team in interceptions before going on to play at the University of New Mexico. Now, he’s hoping to help players have a
see HJCAC page 23
Cooper Ross overcomes adversity, signs with BYU BY ZACH ALVIRA Tribune Sports Editor
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our years ago, Cooper Ross was told by doctors he wouldn’t be able to play football again. His Type 1 diabetes had nearly sent him into Ketoacidosis, a potentially fatal condition that stems from abnormally high blood sugar levels. His levels were off the charts, but he prevailed. He was able to return to football for Heritage Academy, a small charter school in Mesa that plays 8-man football in the Canyon Athletic Association. Despite his large frame and natural talent on the field, he was told he wouldn’t ever make it to the Division I college level because of where he played. Just like when doctors told him he couldn’t step foot on the gridiron, he again proved the naysayers wrong.
In front of a packed auditorium at Heritage’s campus near downtown Mesa on Thursday, Dec. 16, Ross signed his National Letter of Intent to play Division I football at Brigham Young University. After his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 6-foot5, 230-pound tight end and defensive end will join the Cougars. “It’s a relief,” Ross said. “I’m glad I finally got signed and I’m glad to be heading up there. I’m going to prove myself at BYU. I want to do my best up there.” Ross was joined by his parents during the signing. Stephanie and Rod, his parents, have been by his side throughout the process. He said having them there made the moment even more special. “They’re everything for me,” Ross said.
see ROSS page 23
Joined by his mother, Stephanie and father, Rod, Heritage Academy tight end and defensive end Cooper Ross made his college destination official on Thursday, Dec. 16 when he signed his National Letter of Intent to play Division I college football at BYU. (Zac BonDurant/Tribune
Contributor)
