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HJCAC providing opportunity for football players

BY SAM STERN

Tribune Contributor

When 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.

“We looked at it like, just because the current community college structure wasn’t interested in maintaining opportunities 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 advancement for young people’s academic fu-

ture.”

The two of them planted the seed and 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

Alec Horne, “left,” the associate head coach of the Salt River Scorpions, knows how crucial the Hohokam Junior College Athletic Conference is for players seeking opportunities to further their athletic careers. That’s why he has continued to coach in the league since its inception. (Courtesy Alec Horne)

seeHJCAC page 23

Cooper Ross overcomes adversity, signs with BYU

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

Four 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. 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

similar path that he had.

“This is my passion to see these guys grind because Juco football is one of the most grinding levels of football that you can coach,” Payne said. “My biggest reward and these guys biggest reward is to get them to the next level.”

These players come from a variation of backgrounds, and each player’s reasoning for playing in the conference is vastly different.

Some did not have the grades to play at a four-year university. Others struggled financially to compete at the next level without scholarships. A select few players are using the league as a segway from one university to the other.

For former Salt River Scorpions quarterback Ty Perry, his path to the junior college league was unlike most players.

As a 5-foot-10 quarterback out of high school, he was not recruited as highly as he expected.

Perry was a consistent 4.0 student and looked at the Hohokam Conference as a perfect way to improve on his playing ability while also gaining more traction on the recruiting front.

The pandemic fell right into his recruiting window, and the hope was to spend a year playing junior college football while waiting on pins and needles for that opportunity to arise. Though that was not the exact path he envisioned, the experience was not just

ROSS from page 22

“They’ve taught me everything I know, and they’ve guided me along in this process. I really appreciate them.” Ross is the first player to come out of the Heritage football program that signed with a Division I school. But he may not be the last.

Head coach Jose Portilla and his staff, which includes Spencer Bowers, Colton Reese and others, have taken it upon themselves to bring attention to their program and its players. Portilla played for the University of Arizona and spent time in the NFL.

He knew from the day Ross stepped on campus he could be a special player. That came to fruition.

“This young man showed up to the school as a little tiny stick, and look at him now,” Portilla said. “He’s a tremendous athlete. It’s a chapter in a book The Papago Pumas, coached by Brandon Payne, are one of five teams in the HJCAC providing opportunities for players who may not have qualified out of high school, who may need more time to develop or are Division I bounce backs looking for their next opportunity. (Courtesy

Liebrock Photography)

gratifying on the athletic side of things, but it gave him a new perspective on life.

“For a kid like me, I think this is probably the greatest experience I’ve ever had just because I’m around kids I’ve never been around before,” Perry said. “I come from a nice part of Arizona. "There’s not anybody asking for money on the corner of my street, but I go out there to south Phoenix and I’m with kids from downtown Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. They’ve got some stories, like there’s kids on the team that have like some crazy things they have endured, but it’s just cool."

When it comes to academics, grades and overall education it's just as important as the players lacing up the cleats and going to battle on the field. Of course, a vast majority of these players are playing with hopes of reaching the next level.

But building these student athletes into well-rounded contributors to society is key to their strategy.

The league has made a deal with Snow College out of Ephraim, Utah. It provides the players with another opportunity to receive a low-cost education that ties into the payment to play. Even if players choose not to attend Snow, they still have eligibility to attend a local Maricopa Community College if they choose to go that route.

Alec Horne, the associate head coach of the Salt River Scorpions, knows how cru-

where you can now close it and look back on it as a success.”

Ross’ goal throughout his career was to bring attention to 8-man football and what it had to offer. Especially playing in the CAA, a smaller high school athletic association compared to the Arizona Interscholastic Association, athletes are often overlooked. It became even more difficult not playing 11-man football.

But Ross proved there are always diamonds in the rough. And he hopes this is just the beginning for programs like Heritage, which won two state championships and competed for a third this season with him on the roster.

There was a point in time where Ross considered transferring to a bigger school nearby. He thought he would receive more exposure on the field. But he stuck with Heritage. And that, he said, was one of the best decisions he ever made. He now hopes to leave a lasting legacy.

“Hard work, works,” Ross said. “If you believe in yourself, things will work out.”

He doesn’t know yet where he will serve his mission. He is hopeful he is called to serve in England. After two years, he will officially enroll at BYU as part of the 2024 recruiting class. By then, the Cougars will be in the Big 12 Conference. Currently, they are an Independent.

Ross hopes he can make an immediate impact once he is in Provo. Not only does he hope to further his football career for as long as possible, but he hopes to bring more attention to where he came from while playing at the highest collegiate level.

“(Eight-man football) is still the same sport,” Ross said. “You still have to have the same skills. It’s a little bit of a different format but it’s still the same thing. You’re still passing the football, you’re still catching the football and you’re still scoring

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cial the partnership is with Snow College, and having that backing of a school is a major part of the endless academic opportunities that these players are taking advantage of.

“I’ve kind of seen how it’s evolved and getting that Snow College deal done was an amazing thing for the league,” Horne said.

“The fact you have a school backing you with academic support is huge. We’ve had counselors come down here to get kids registered for their classes. We also had counselors come out here in the middle of the season to have one on one meetings with players and check in on their progress.

“So, they’re making huge leaps and bounds to make this program successful.”

The conference has blossomed into a well-oiled machine that has been able to recruit many student athletes. It has also allowed for maximum exposure by streaming games on The Varsity Sports Show.

Horne said the positive impact on players has been rewarding for him and other coaches.

“I wanted to help because I’ve coached players that maybe didn’t have the size or the grades, or they just weren’t ready maturity wise,” Horne said. “I like seeing the kids come in and then they leave being completely turned around and wanting to go back to where they’re from to encourage other people to join in and build a better community.” ■

touchdowns.

“I can’t wait to get up there and keep playing the game.” ■

Have an interesting story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.

THE MESA TRIBUNE | DECEMBER 26, 2021

Kurt Warner’s story on the silver screen

BY JOSHUA WEISBLY Tribune Staff Writer

For those who live in Arizona and bleed Cardinal red, there are a handful of names that are synonymous with the team. Former quarterback Kurt Warner is one of them.

As of Christmas Day, audiences learn the Super Bowl winner’s backstory in the film “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.” It takes a deep dive into Warner’s life before he joined the St. Louis Rams and the beginning of his NFL career.

“American Underdog” tells the inspirational true story of Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stock boy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player. It seemed out of reach until he meets his future wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin), and receives encouragement from his family, coaches and teammates.

Warner attended college at the University of Northern Iowa and went undrafted. He tried out for the Green Bay Packers but landed with the Arena Football League’s Iowa Barnstormers.

Following that stint, Warner made his way back to the NFL finding a home in St. Louis with the Rams, where he would eventually lead the team to a Super Bowl.

The American gambling company FanDuel offered fans the chance to meet Warner and Levi at WestWorld of Scottsdale in early December.

“With the movie coming out with Kurt Warner, there is a lot of interest in that movie and it made a lot of sense to bring him along for this,” said Jeff Forvour, FanDuel marketing director. Zachary Levi, who plays Kurt Warner in “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story” and the former Cardinals quarterback met on the set of the film. (Michael Kubeisy/Lionsgate)

Anna Paquin stars as Brenda Warner and Zachary Levi as Kurt Warner in “American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story.” (Michael Kubeisy/Lionsgate)

“He and Zach were more than happy to come down and do this with us, which was really cool.”

Levi — who previously starred in “Shazam” and TV’s “Chuck” — called the Warner role remarkable.

“I was watching his story go down in real time, back in ’99, 2000,” Levi said. “And I think, like most of the country or at least anyone in the country who was paying attention, I was so blown away and inspired by it.”

Warner hadn’t previously met Levi, but he was curious as to how he would work out.

“I don’t know anything about acting cause these guys do a great job, but you always feel like you want the person on the screen to be authentic,” Warner said. “You want people to see them and go, man, I really buy into that.”

But it didn’t take long for worries to fade.

“Once I got to know Zach, I thought he was going to do a great job with it because it’s true to who he is, on top of his great acting skills,” Warner said. “Without a doubt, I’m extremely happy with how it played out.”

Those who are hoping to see Warner don a Cardinals uniform in the movie will, unfortunately, be disappointed as the film stops during his time at the Rams.

“The Cardinals’ years are in that second chapter, such a special chapter for me,” Warner said. “But, it just seems like this is the right time to stop this movie and where it’s going to inspire people and how it’s going to connect with people.”

Levi made a quick joke about it. “The sequel, ‘American Underdog: Electric Boogaloo,’ is going to just blow people’s minds,” Levi said with a laugh referring to the 1984 breakdancing movie.

“It’s going to be you (Warner) and Larry Fitzgerald breaking. You have no idea.” ■

Do you have an interesting sports story?

Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.