Carson Little is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Scottsdale Prep High School for AZPreps365.com 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The scoreboard tells one story about Scottsdale Prep’s football season. The seniors who carried the program through it hope to leave behind another.

For a senior class that makes up half the Spartans’ roster, this season has been about more than victories and defeats. Through difficult losses, growing pains, and a coaching transition, they’ve helped build something that won’t fade away when they take off their helmets one final time: A foundation for the next generations of Spartan football.

Under first-year head coach Andrew Gamboa, Scottsdale Prep’s seniors have taken on the role of guiding a program seeking consistency and long-term success. With a majority of the roster preparing for graduation, their leadership has become extremely important, not only for the team’s performance this season but also for the younger players who will be in charge of the program after.

For Gamboa, this senior class has shown its character through adversity.

“They’re just resilient, man,” Gamboa said. “They've been through a lot.”

Many of the seniors who are part of this program have been playing for all four years, experiencing both highs and lows of Scottsdale Prep football. This season brought in a new coach, higher expectations, and an opportunity to establish a different direction for the team.

Gamboa gave that responsibility directly to his veteran players.

“'Hey, man, lead us, and we’ll follow,’” Gamboa recalled telling his seniors.

The transition was not always easy. 

Some players came into the season starting for the first time, while others adjusted to new leadership roles.

Despite the challenges, Gamboa said their passion, work ethic, and commitment became increasingly evident as the season went on.

For senior Connor Gust, however, the most meaningful part of his final season hasn’t been the results on the field; it’s been the relationships built with the teammates around him.

“I think me and all my teammates have great relationships,” Gust said. “Every time we go in the locker room, it’s just family there.”

That connection developed through summer camps, practices, and the shared experiences of playing high school football.

Even when the Spartans faced difficult losses, including a 50-7 defeat to Willcox. Gust said the seniors worked together to keep younger teammates motivated and connected.

For Senior Kane Lopez, some of his favorite memories came away from the field entirely.

Long bus rides to away games, celebrating victories with teammates and spending hours together created memories that he believes will last beyond graduation.

The memories also came with lessons to be learned.

“I think that it really just taught us that we have to work as a team,” Lopez said 

That sense of unity became one of the defining characteristics of the senior class.

Scottsdale Prep athletic director Teray Allen-Lisbon said the group’s willingness to support one another and welcome younger athletes has made a meaningful impact that will last after they have left.

“Definitely the camaraderie in terms of building each other up when things are getting difficult,” Allen-Lisbon said.

Allen-Lisbon also gave credit to the seniors for making freshmen and sophomores feel included in the program, helping establish a sense of belonging across the roster.

Their influence could become particularly important next season, when Scottsdale Prep must replace a great majority of its roster.

Allen-Lisbon said the athletic department is also emphasizing connections with the school’s middle school football program to encourage younger athletes to continue playing at Scottsdale Prep.

For Gamboa, the seniors have helped demonstrate what commitment and preparation should look like for the generations to follow them.

Their legacy won’t necessarily be defined by wins, losses, or individual statistics. Instead, it may be measured by whether the younger players can continue the culture they’ve worked so hard to establish.

And while the seniors prepare for their final chapter as Spartans, Gust hopes the next generation remembers to soak it in and enjoy the experience.

For Lopez, that’s what he hopes people will remember about his class.

“Just always brought the energy and built each other up,” Lopez said.