Andy Romike is a reporter for Arizona State's Cronkite School of Journalism assigned to cover Combs High School.

SAN TAN VALLEY -- It is rare for any freshman to step into the QB1 role with as much confidence as Kannin Hale. The first-year high school student has been able to quickly become the field general that this team needed, one of the many testaments to this Combs squad’s promising youth.

After having 19 seniors graduate with the class of 2023, there were many question marks about how the team would look come the following season. In addition to the loss of almost half of the roster, the Coyotes also lost two of their most explosive seniors in Chase Theabold and Landon Merkley due to injury before the season began.

These events coupled together made for an unpredictable season. Through the trials and tribulations and a 2-8 record – as unfavorable as it is – one thing has shone through the darkness for Combs: its youth.

The Combs coaching staff, led by head coach Levi Hoaglund, has made it a point of emphasis to prioritize the development of the younger players.

“I always make sure to put my players in a position to learn,” Hoaglund said. “All of the young guys on this team, especially (Hale), have progressed and learned a lot as the season has gone on, and it’s exciting for the seasons to come.”Combs High School football team gathers in an end-of-practice huddle

The Coyotes’ coaches are not the only ones who have been sharing their knowledge with the young core of this team.

Izaak Jeffcoat, a junior running back and the Coyotes’ offensive spark plug, has acted as one of the main mentors of the team, constantly relaying what he knows to his younger peers.

“Once I learn plays and have them down, I go and teach them to the younger guys to make sure they know them, too,” Jeffcoat said. “I want to make sure every man on this team is ready to play as best as they can in case they get called in.”

Jeffcoat leads the team in rushing yards per game (78.8) and receiving yards per game (16.7) as a junior. His pending return for next season further adds to the excitement felt by the coaching staff regarding the future of this program.

Though Jeffcoat leads the team in total yards per game, Hale follows in a close second.

Hale credits Jeffcoat as one of the players he has learned the most from in his first season.

“Landon Merkley, Braiden (Howard), Will Brady and Izaak have all helped me get to where I’m at right now, and they continue to push me to be better,” Hale said.

Brady, a Combs junior and Hale’s backup quarterback, has also made leadership a priority for this season.

“It’s my job to keep their heads up, keep pushing them and keep motivating them to do better,” Brady said. “Especially with Kannin, he’s already been able to do great things as a freshman, so over the next (few) years, I’m sure he will be able to do great things for this school and bring us to the next level.”