Gabrielle Ducharme is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Camelback High School for AZ Preps365)

Camelback football is led by the most unlikely group of teenagers, most of whom can’t even legally drive. 

Twenty-eight sophomores verbalize little but speak volumes with their actions on the field. 

Coach Brandon McNutt believes his sophomores are poised to make a push next season. His players have bought into his new system. Camelback sits at 1-3 over the last month, but McNutt is unfazed by statistics because he sees potential with the class of 2021.

“They never question the coaches. They are always looking for ways to get better. It is a great maturity thing for them,” McNutt said. “They know they are a special group. They actually have not had the realization of how special they can be.”

The class is led by sophomore captain Eddy Kentel. He arrived at Camelback after attending a charter school and was forced to repeat freshman year. But, he has risen to the occasion and became team captain following Camelback’s first game loss against Willow Canyon. 

“I didn’t want to be one. I didn’t know my talent at the time,” Kentel said. “He sees something that I don’t see yet, that I gain the respect from everyone and I just need to step up, be a better leader.” 

 Kentel scored the game winning touchdown against North High School with under 30 seconds left. His coach wanted to set the team up for a field goal, but he had other ideas as he broke multiple tackles to run the ball into the end zone. 

“He just has that wow! He is the sophomore class,” McNutt said. 

That determination has rubbed off on other players, creating a family atmosphere. The team has shown maturity and high character in an otherwise rocky season.

A group of players convinced a fellow student to come out and join the team just three weeks ago. McNutt said the newcomer had missed summer training and did not believe he was ready to play. But, his fellow classmates convinced him otherwise and have welcomed him with open arms. 

Sophomore Dejon Packard moved up to the varsity one day before Camelback faced off against Independence. Packard scored all of his team’s points and ran an interception back 99 yards for a touchdown to lead his team to a 14-7 victory. 

“We don’t give up, we keep fighting,” Packard said. “Even if we lose, we still manage to get up and fight back again, we are brave.” 

This will be the first class McNutt will coach for four years and the underclassmen are chomping at the bit to play on the varsity. Players like Kentel have their upperclassmen looking to them for answers because they are a class of natural born leaders.

“Whatever they are as seniors will define me and my program. The loyalty and character, I couldn’t ask for more,” McNutt said. “We are gonna be going to war on the battlefield.”