Trevin Romero s an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Northwest Christian for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — For most high school athletes around the world, one of the end goals is to earn a college offer to keep playing their sport of choice past the high school level. 

However, that dream is not a reality for most of them because playing in college sports is one of the hardest feats in the world of sports. 

 Northwest Christian senior wide receiver Zayne Wallwork made that dream come true when he received college offers from Azusa Pacific (California) and Buena Vista (Iowa) universities to continue his playing career, a dream he’s been chasing since he first landed at Northwest Christian in the fifth grade. 

“I just really thought that I wanted to have a future in football, and  through Northwest (Christian) it just helped me just be a better person and better athlete altogether,” senior wide receiver Zayne Wallwork said. “For a while, I just didn’t want to go to college because of the school part, but I also realized I don’t know what to do other than football. I wanted to play football as long as I could, and that just became a dream.” 

Wallwork started low on the depth chart but behind closed doors few people saw the hard work, progression and sacrifices that Wallwork did to put himself in that position. 

Northwest Christian head coach David Inness praised Wallwork's progression throughout his playing career and the style of play he brings to practice and game day. 

“I knew about him in junior high, so I’ve watched him play and just matured more and more as he got older and took it a lot more seriously,” Inness said. “We’ve had a lot of great players here, but my favorite thing about Zayne is that he does whatever it takes to be successful.” 

The long time head coach also gave Wallwork advice about taking that step to the next level because Inness coached multiple players in the program's history that extended their playing careers, like assistant coach Drew Inness who played college football at Northwestern College. 

“You’re starting at the bottom of the barrel, you're probably last on the depth chart but you just got to work like dogs everyday,” Inness said. “Zayne understands that he knows nothing’s going to be given to him, and he’ll get on that field because of his work ethic and attitude.” 

Wallwork’s parents, Aryan and Alison Wallwork, get to see their son as a person first hand at home. Wallwork is a special kid outside the field and the people around him recognize that. 

“He is great with people of all ages,” Aryan Wallwork said. "He's a good communicator and genuinely cares about others. He truly is a great kid that has a big heart for people.”