Eric Sorenson
Three years ago I spotted a somewhat tall, gangly kid with glasses on a back field at Desert Vista High School spinning perfect passes to his receivers before a showcase event.
Then Tucson Salpointe Catholic head coach Dennis Bene told me his new, soon-to-be sophomore, quarterback Treyson Bourguet would one day play Division I football, despite only seeing limited action as a freshman the previous fall at Marana High, just north of Tucson where older brother Trenton went on to become one of the most decorated statistical quarterbacks in Arizona state prep football history.
Even at the time, Bene believed the younger Bourguet had everything: size, football IQ, leadership, moxie.
Most importantly, the “it factor.”
Last week the now 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, who has led the Lancers to back-to-back Open Division Playoff appearances since arriving at Salpointe, proved that “it factor” at a much greater, and more important, level – the level of human kindness and selflessness.
Back To School Challenge 📚 pic.twitter.com/VFRQx6HZqe
— Treyson Bourguet (@treysonbourguet) August 1, 2021
“I had really been thinking about myself and not about other people,” Bourguet explained to the “Zone Read” when summing up the taxing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “After this last weekend and talking about suicide prevention and mental health, I decided that we were going to help out the less fortunate in our community and give back.”
The Back to School Challenge was started by Bourguet’s teammate, fellow senior, starting linebacker Davian Carrasco who sports a flashy 4.1 GPA at one of the toughest high schools in Arizona, and has owned his own the business, “Prolific Plugs,” the past two years, according to Bourguet.
“He rarely spends money on himself and he’s always giving back,” Bourguet said of Carrasco. “He’s honestly an inspiration to me, an inspiration to all my friends. I needed it. I know God put him in my life for a reason.”
The two connected, and drew closer as teammates, on a recent, almost last-minute, weekend trip to Phoenix after being selected by Lancer head coach Eric Rogers to represent Salpointe in the video which features a number of prep players from around the state.
“We took this trip up to Phoenix, just us two, and we bonded on a very real level,” Bourguet explained. “Just talking about life, talking about this past year. Just talking about our backgrounds…the moment we started talking, we didn’t stop. It’s something that we hadn’t done and [many] people missed out on because we were isolated for so long [due to the pandemic].’
The two recently spoke to the entire Lancer team following a workout about how they can all give back and “get better.”
The message was direct and the goal was impactful.
“That’s when the dominos start falling,” Bourguet noted. “You see other people [giving back]. You see your brothers and sisters picking up on it. You see your uncles and aunts picking up on what you’re doing. We need more of that, especially in today’s time.”
Bourguet, a standout performer not only at Salpointe, but for his Tucson Turf Elite flag football team which was founded by his father, Toby, features some of the top players in all of Arizona.
So, naturally, the almost two-year starter, who holds offers from BYU, Vanderbilt, Idaho, Columbia and others decided include them, and their sizable social media following, in the Back to School Challenge, as well.
— Treyson Bourguet (@treysonbourguet) August 1, 2021
“They were honestly super excited to be nominated and chosen,” Bourguet said. “But I want it to get to the point where you don’t have to be nominated to do something like that. We were talking and Kyion [Grayes], Kyler [Kasper], Cole [Martin] and Jakobi [Lane], they already have ideas about how they want to get out and start making a change.”
Bourguet’s leadership stretches far beyond the Friday nights lights in southern Arizona.
“To see a bunch of youth and teenagers who want to give back to the community, but were too scared or didn’t know how, I want to change that.” he noted. “We’re so powerful. We can change someone’s day, someone’s week, someone’s life…by doing the little things.”
He continued.
“A lot more people need to realize that being happy doesn’t just mean you’re happy…but giving to other people and seeing them smile. Doing everything you possibly can to not only assure that you’re leading a happy life, but helping others live the best life they possibly can, as well. I’m so excited for this. I’m more excited for this than I’ve been for a lot of things. This won’t be the last time…something little like this can lead to something bigger.”
This Sunday Bourguet, Carrasco, and a number of other incredible student-athletes in our state’s community, will make an impact much greater and far-reaching than football.
Thanks to all of you for paying it forward for others who may not be able to do the same.
