Carl Hayden: Football Means Family
Head Coach Steve Arenas Running practice this past week at Carl Hayden says to us “This is a 24 hour a day gig and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.”
As the sounds of pads smacking together and cheers amongst players echoed along 35th Ave. in Phoenix, people either walking or driving by probably were thinking it was just another ordinary high school football team and just another ordinary football practice. Well, please let me be the first to tell you that what is going on at Carl Hayden HS is anything but ordinary.
Under Assistant Coach Matt Arenas, the O/D-Line unit is closer than ever.
Head Coach Steve Arenas is not your average young head football coach and neither is his brother Matt who coaches the Offensive and Defensive lines. These guys are not just planning for game #1 or setting up booster club meetings. These guys are up at 3 AM getting ready to start whatever the day has, which can include making sure all of the players have a ride to school amongst other things.
I spoke with Coach Arenas for about an hour before the team took to the field last week before practice. The passion from Arenas can be felt throughout the stadium when he talks about his players and his program. Arenas Said “ Last year was tough with Covid and my first season (2-8) was really when we needed to build the foundation.” I can tell you that he Lit Up when he said this year between Freshman, J.V and Varsity, we have about 110 players!! As everyone knows this is not a cheap sport. Many programs around the valley even with fundraising have to pay as much as $900 per athlete. “We cannot do that here” Arenas said emphatically! We have low to moderate income families just trying to put food on the table.
What Was the Solution? Steve & Matt Arenas along with other valued staff members hit the pavement! “We are not going to raise money sitting here we figured” Coach said, so they went business by business, asked for sponsorships and picked up the phones calling former Alumni for donations. They were successful and managed to raise enough funds for the time being. There is more work ahead of us, Coach told me but we are up for the challenge.
Leon Roberts clearing a path for his Carl Hayden Teammates
These are not just football coaches. They are Managers, Boosters, Father Figures, Role Models, Uber Drivers…. You name it! These guys do whatever it takes, while they both teach and Chair their respective departments in English and Science. This can-do/will-do attitude has definitely projected to this year's teams!
As a recruiter, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with the Carl Hayden players. Last year, getting a scholarship for Falcon Alumni Roberto Lopez to Mayville State where Head Coach Rocky Larson said “We are so excited to work with Lopez and we have our eyes on some 2022 players.”
Speaking about 2022 players, I had the chance to catch up with 2022 RB Elias Baeza who has been so impressive this off-season. The Senior Running Back is firing on all cylinders. In an interview, Baeza stated “This team is ready! We are focused and Coach Arenas has built some things here at Carl Hayden that will help us continue to grow.” Baeza is excited to get carries in this double wing offense and he won't be alone. How can we say some beef up front? Enter 2022 OT Andrew Lopez, 6’3 270lbs, and 2022 Center Camden Bergen, 6’4 265lbs …. The duo leads the charge up front and will take no prisoners.This team is definitely packed with talent. 2022 Defensive End, Jordan Talbert stands over 6’4 tall and is explosive off the edge and 2024 Athlete, Kendre Pride can definitely make an impact on both sides of the ball. Pride also boasts a 4.0 GPA.
With next level speed and vision, there is no telling what Elias Baeza will do on the turf this year
I, myself remain very confident in not only the vision of this team but the future for these young men. 2022 2-way star Leon Roberts has already secured two offers, 1 from Mayville State University where Roberts would be close to a full scholarship and another from the high octane offense of Wisconsin River Falls. Both Coaches have seen Roberts and like what they see!
Falcons by definition are powerful with great speed that hunt their prey better than any species…. Looks like the crew on 35th Ave. are living up to their name the Falcons!
Falcon Wings are up heading into the 2021/2022 Season
