Every week this high school football season, in collaboration with ESPN Tucson’s weekday morning show “Spears & Ali,” we’re spotlighting notable performances from the previous week. Up next: Tucson High senior running back and receiver Noah Chanez.
After a 1-3 start to the season, the Tucson High Badgers found their mojo again in the last two weeks and averaged 45 points in wins over Vista Grande and Casa Grande.
In Tucson High’s 48-33 shootout win over Casa Grande, do-everything senior Noah Chanez led the Badgers with 411 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns, including five rushing touchdowns. Chanez had 36 carries for 263 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
“It was really a team performance,” Chanez said. “I played running back lots of times in high school, but normally during the season I’m playing slot (receiver). Circumstances happened and I had to play running back this game. I trusted my (offensive) line and they got me through the game. ... I’m really thankful for that.”
Catalina Foothills’ Gregory McKinstry III (32) gets a paw on Tucson’s Noah Chanez (8) at Catalina Foothills High School, Sept. 27, 2024.
Chanez has 279 carries for 1,965 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns in three-plus seasons at Tucson High. Chanez also has 113 receptions for 1,645 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns — and 5,634 all-purpose yards. He leads the Badgers in both rushing and receiving yards this season.
Ahead of Tucson High’s (3-3) upcoming home game with Canyon del Oro (3-3) on Friday at 7 p.m., Chanez joined ESPN Tucson’s “Spears & Ali” to discuss his performance and Tucson High’s momentum, among other things.
Where does this game rank among the other performances you’ve had?
A: “In the past, I’ve had some games with four touchdowns. My last three games, I’ve gotten three touchdowns, so I’m doing pretty good. I’ve had some touchdowns in games, but this is the most touchdowns I’ve had in a game.”
How has it been being a part of the Tucson High football program for the last four years?
A: “Being a part of the Tucson High football program is big. Tucson in general is a very big school, a lot of alumni that help us a lot; very grateful for it. The team overall, I’ve been playing there since my freshman year, and it’s grown a lot since then. We’ve put in the work and our team is just hungry.”
What stands out about the culture under head coach Zachary Neveleff, who took over in 2023?
A: “It’s been great. He changed the culture. ... Coach Zach changed the mentality of our players. From there on out, our players trusted coach and what he’s done. We continue to trust him.”
After a rough start to the season, what has been key to this two-game turnaround?
A: “Just controlling the controllables. Sometimes we get out of place and something happens, but you just gotta control what you can control. We’re not really focused on the other stuff in a game.”
What’s your favorite part about living in Tucson?
A: “Probably the community. The community, the friends, the people, that’s the best part, for sure.”
How did you fall in love with football?
A: “I’ve been playing football for a very long time. Football gives you a way to hit people without getting in trouble and use what you have to your advantage. It’s fun. I mean, who doesn’t want to hit people?”
Catalina Foothills’ Gregory McKinstry III (32) bears down on Tucson’s Noah Chanez (8) as he bursts through the middle of the Falcon secondary in the first quarter of a game at Catalina Foothills High School, Sept. 27, 2024. The teams traded punches for three quarters before the Badgers could build a significant lead and win 56-38.
What’s your favorite football team?
A: “My NFL team is the Dallas Cowboys, for sure. It’s a rough season, but we’ll get there. My dad has always been Cowboys, so I grew up a Cowboys fan. My brother is a Dolphins fan, so it’s a pretty funny relationship, but Cowboys all the way.”
Are you one of those Cowboys fans that always says ‘This year is our year’ before every season?
A: “(Laughs) Sometimes, for sure. I thought this year was going to be our year, but some trades happen.”
Who’s a football player you emulate your game after?
A: “This one is going to be crazy because of the team he plays for, but it’s Saquon Barkley. Since he was with the Giants, I’ve been looking at him as someone I emulate my game after.”
What do you like to do outside of football?
A: “Hanging out with friends, playing (video games) and hitting the gym a lot, just trying to work on my craft. I’ve got a great quarterback, Derek Mesa, great receivers, great (defensive backs). I always hang around with them and we try to stay together.”
Tucson’s Noah Chanez, right, cruises into the end zone, almost untouched, in the third quarter of a game at Catalina Foothills High School, on Sept. 27, 2024.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Tucson?
A: “Tania’s (Mexican Food). Their breakfast burritos are amazing. ... If you see any food truck here in Tucson, they have good tacos.”
Have you met NFL defensive back and former Badger Levi Wallace? How was that experience?
A: “He had a camp at Tucson High, so it was really nice to have that there. I helped coached it. He’s a really good dude, he gave out a lot of free stuff and he contributed a lot to Tucson High football, so I thank him.”
Now in the second half of the season, what’s Tucson High’s mindset as you guys prepare for a potential playoff run?
A: “We’re just trying to focus on what we can control and keeping games in our possession and how we want them to go. We want to keep our composure and we just gotta stay focused.”
