Mason Miller is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Sunrise Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

 

Over the past three years, Tommy Arnold has become someone Sunrise Mountain coach Steve Decker trusts to lead the team. 

Arnold has been on Sunrise Mountain’s varsity football team since his sophomore year, playing running back and middle linebacker. Decker has had a front row seat to see Arnold develop over the last three years.

“He has really progressed," Decker said. “He’s always been a good player, but just how he leads. His maturity and his leadership are where he’s really grown.”

Decker describes Arnold as a quiet leader. “Not very vocal, but he leads the team with the way he plays on Friday nights,” Decker said. “If Tommy is at his best, then the team is.” 

Arnold evidently plays fairly well, with the Mustangs posting a 20-9 record since he joined the varsity team. This season, Arnold leads the team with 73 touches, seven touchdowns and 455 overall yards.

Even with all of the recognition, Arnold doesn’t like to keep the focus on himself.

“Once the game starts I like getting everybody hyped,” Arnold said. “I like cheering my teammates on when they make a good play.” 

Arnold developed a love for football at a young age, and attributes a lot of his success to his father Thomas. Thomas played football when he was in high school, and pushed his son to get into athletics. It just so happened that Tommy chose football.

“He took me everywhere, to all my games. He’s there at all of my games.” Arnold said. “He gets me all of the gear I need. He makes sure I have quality training and recovery.” 

At 5’11” and 195 pounds, Arnold plays a physical game of football, allowing him to play on both sides of the ball. “Throwback, old-school, tough kid,” Decker said. “How he plays, he’s become a lot stronger. Not the most athletic, but just plays really hard.”

Arnold compared his running style to that of Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.

 “If I find a hole, I like to go right through it,” Arnold said. “I’m more of a trucking running back than a juking running back just because of my size.”

On the other side of the ball, Arnold likened his middle linebacker style to former Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. 

“I love to hit,” Arnold said. “On defense, I like to stick my head right down the middle.”

Arnold said he would like to play college football, but with only one offer from Arizona Christian University, Arnold is going all out his senior season hoping to attract the attention of more scouts. With recruiting ramping up and state playoffs starting, he and those around him believe the college offers will come his way. Alternatively should the right offer not come his way, Arnold would attempt to walk on wherever he chooses to further his education.

“At the moment, I don’t know where I want to go,” Arnold said. “It all depends on if I get a good enough offer that benefits me playing football and academically.” 

Off the football field, Arnold plans on getting a degree in business management or accounting.

Coach Decker holds Arnold’s worth to the team in high regard and believes he should get more offers to play football at the next level. 

“He’s really important, really dedicated to the team,” Decker said. “He’s at least an FCS player. If he keeps having great Friday nights, the offers will start coming.”

Outside of football, Arnold works on the weekends and hangs out with his girlfriend and friends. He also has an interest in shoes, and should his path take him there, would like to get into buying and reselling shoes. Arnold has a small collection; he estimated he currently has around 12 pairs of shoes. The collection consists of multiple pairs of Vans, Air Maxes and Jordan 1 Lows. Arnold listed the Jordan 1 Low Purple and Yeezy Boost 350 Pirate Black as his current favorites.

At the end of the interview, Arnold had a message:

“Sunrise Mountain is going to get more recognition than what people give us,” he said. “They need to watch out for us.”