Welcome to another year of high school football. With that comes another season of The High School Highlight. Our first stop is Desert Ridge High School, home of the Jaguars. They are led by head coach Jeremy Hathcock. One of coach Hathcock's leader's on the team is senior Wide Receiver and Return Specialist Tavian Patrick.
The Jaguars went 11-2 last season and lost to Brophy Prep in the state playoffs. Tavian Patrick was a junior on that team and hopes to have an even better year this season. Patrick is 5'10 170 pounds and wears #3. He had 328 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. He also had another 244 yards on returns last season. His longest being a 99 yard touchdown against Mountain View.
Patrick has high hopes for this season. He is hopeful that he can make all-state and his team make it to the State Final. Patrick, also a track star, hopes to qualify for state in track as well. He knows that if he keeps his focus he can achieve his goals
Patrick also gets it done in the classroom as well. He boasts a 3.44 GPA and has set a goal to improve it to 3.5 by the time he graduates. He has also set goals to attend college on a football and track scholarship. He plans to major in sports medicine while in college. He has also volunteered to feed the homeless with his mom and sister since he was little. He also helped hold clothing backpack and water drives for the less fortunate. He says it helps him realize how blessed he is.
Patrick was inspired by his father, who was drafted out of high school by the Oakland A's. He is now a coach with the San Diego Padres. His parent's always thought he would be an athlete, they just expected him to play baseball. Once he started watching his cousin play football he decided to give it a try. That's when he new he had a true passion for the game of football.
Patrick says after he completes his final season at the school the thing he will miss most is teammates and coaches. He says that when you play high school football they truly become family. Patrick currently has 3 offers to play college football from Air Force, Cornell and Arizona Christian. He has yet to commit.
One of Patrick's fondest moments in football is his 99 yard kick return that went for a touchdown. It wasn't because it was a televised game, it was because his grandma got to see his spectacular TD.
Patrick begins his final season of high school football when Desert Ridge host's Liberty next Friday night. This is the first game for the Jaguars, who have high hopes of winning a State Championship.
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