Konstantine Ribeiro is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Campo Verde High School for AZPreps365.com.

GILBERT — Campo Verde has one game left to get homefield advantage in the playoffs, and the Coyotes believe senior quarterback Jonah Lubno is the one to do it.

The Coyotes (6-3 overall, 3-1 in 5A San Tan Region) are led by Lubno, who committed to the University of Utah in June. He has thrown for 1,502 yards and has 18 passing touchdowns so far and wants to finish his high school career with season highs in both.

“Our game against Arizona College Prep this week will definitely be the hardest we’ve had all season, and we want to come out on top,” Lubno said. “All the boys, we’ve put in so much preparation and want to finish out the regular season of my senior year strong.”

Like most players, Lubno found his love for football as a kid watching NFL highlights. That love grew when he started playing flag football, which is where he met his close friend and teammate, senior wide receiver Easton Bakutis. 

Bakutis and Lubno have been friends for a long time. However, once they started playing tackle football, they went their separate ways as Lubno went to Hamilton High School and Bakutis went to Campo Verde. 

Lubno eventually left Hamilton for Campo Verde before the start of his junior year, when he said that he felt that he no longer fit into the program due to coaching staff changes. That is when he would reunite with Bakutis, as well as senior running back Brody Stickle and senior defensive back Damon Romero, whom he also played youth football with.

“I feel like all my teammates are like brothers to me,” Lubno said. “I’m with these guys all the time, and I love them so dearly in my heart.” 

Soon enough until Lubno and his teammates began celebrating the offers he was receiving from colleges. While most high school players usually start receiving offers during the regular season of their junior year, Lubno didn’t gain traction until the next spring. 

At first, the offers came from Football Championship Subdivision schools such as Idaho, Weber State and Portland State. It wasn’t until near the end of the school year that Utah reached out to Lubno, when quarterback coach Ryan Gunderson contacted him.

 “It wasn’t long before he wanted me to visit the school, and it was everything I wanted,” Lubno said."And to be able to take my journey to the next level there makes me truly blessed.”

When his teammates heard about the commitment, there was a big relief.

“I was super excited for him. I knew it brought stress off of him,” Bakutis said. “It was also really good for our school, too. To be offered by the No. 10 team in the nation, coming from a small school like ours is truly incredible.”

Coach Ryan Freeman, who’s known him for a year and a half, said that Lubno has grown as an athlete and as a leader. 

“I’m just so proud of him,” Freeman said. “He’s always engaged and supportive of everyone on the field.”

That leadership will be tested, though, going into the final two games of the season.

The Coyotes' next game is Friday, Oct. 30th against Arizona College Prep.