The biggest battles are off the field
October 28, 2025 by Laura White, Arizona State University
Laura White is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Verrado High School for AZPreps365.com
BUCKEYE – Within the span of a week, everything changed for Kelsie Zavala. Hip pain turned into multiple MRIs. A biopsy turned into a diagnosis. And suddenly her biggest battle wasn’t on the football field anymore.
“I went numb and didn't know how to react or what to do or say,” Kelsie’s mother Tonya Zavala said. “I was just in complete shock when we heard those words.”
On Sept. 15, Kelsie was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of child bone cancer. A lingering hip pain she had previously shrugged off as a muscle tweak turned out to be a tumor intertwined with her hip bone.
“No one thinks like, ‘oh, I have cancer,’” Kelsie said. “It was definitely a big shock.”
When the pain began in the summertime she sought out physical therapy. But after a few sessions, the pain grew unbearable, and a series of MRIs followed. The results kept coming back as abnormal so the doctors ordered a biopsy that revealed she had cancer, something Kelsie’s mother was praying not to hear.
“You're sitting in a room with doctors and we were just still trying to be so hopeful and so positive,” Tonya said. “We just kept praying that it was going to be something different every single time. It was like time stood still in that moment.”
Though her cleats are set aside for now, Kelsie is channeling that same determination into her fight with cancer, as she faces months of chemotherapy that will last through April.
Before her diagnosis, Kelsie was at the top of her game. She was going into her senior year as captain of the Verrado flag football team.
Kelsie (right) standing with two of her flag football teammates, Abigail Vasquez (left) and Mia Williams (middle). (Photo courtesy of Tonya Zavala).
“She’s a heck of a player,” coach Terry Barnes said. “Last year she led us in receptions and targets. I always said that she has a wingspan of a garage door.”
Kelsie’s most important role on the team wasn't playing center. It was being a leader and a role model to the other girls.
“Her leadership was not just on the field but off the field,” Barnes said.
Kelsie had been eagerly awaiting her senior season, more than any other year.
“It's hard to watch your friends keep going and, you know, this is the year everyone looks forward to,” Kelsie said. “I had a lot of things planned that have been set back because of it.”
And her team feels the loss as well.
“When I first found out, um, it was heartbreaking, truthfully,” Barnes said. “It crushed me, 'cause I know how much she wanted to finish off her senior year and flag. It's really heartbreaking for a young lady to go through something like that.”
But as much as everyone wanted Kelsie out on the field, cancer had other plans for her.
“It’s pretty devastating especially for her senior year,” Kelsie’s teammate Allison Rospierski said. “All of us felt it in our hearts.”
Before telling the team, Kelsie and her parents had faced another painful moment — breaking the news to the rest of the family. Kelsie’s younger brother and sister couldn't believe it as the words sank in.
“So immediately when we had to share with them, everybody was devastated and in shock by it,” Tonya said.
Zavala family picture (Photo courtesy of Tonya Zavala).
But a silver lining emerged in all the sadness. Kelsie’s mom said it brought their family closer together.
“We've just all rallied around Kelsey,” Tonya said.
And so has the community.
“The support from the school and the community is just outstanding,” Barnes said. “They've been leaders in the community forever. And now the community's paying back what they gave the community.”
As word spread, the messages, meals and donations kept coming, reminders that Kelsie’s fight had become everyone’s fight.
“Everybody that has rallied around us, it's just been amazing, the love and support we've received,” Tonya said. “I can't even, the words can't even express our gratitude for it.”
The same strength that made her a leader on the field now drives her toward her next goal. After graduating high school online, Kelsie plans to attend the University of Arizona to study pediatric nursing.
“She never gives up, but she's always been that way ever since she was little,” Tonya said.
To support the Zavalas during Kelsie’s treatment, the community has launched a Meal Train. You can contribute by following the link below.
