HS football player of the week: Tucson High QB Derek Mesa leads Badgers to huge road victory

The Tucson High Badgers escaped their second road game of the season with a 42-29 win over the Buena Colts in Sierra Vista last week.

Tucson handed Buena its first loss of the season, and the Badgers (3-1) are now two wins away from matching their season total last year.

“It starts at practice. Our team was very locked in this week,” said Tucson High junior quarterback Derek Mesa. “We had a big game coming up and they were undefeated. We had time to improve and came out with a big W.”

Mesa, after passing for 318 yards, three touchdowns and an interception in the triumph over Buena, is our high school football player of the week. Mesa joined “Spears and Ali” on ESPN Tucson this week to talk about his performance, among other topics, as the Badgers prepare for another road game at Catalina Foothills on Friday. Here’s what Mesa discussed:

What were you seeing on the field that allowed you to carve up Buena’s defense?

A: “The defense was giving me a lot of things, but our O-Line was giving me time to throw the ball and they got me those 318 yards, so big props to them.”

How much has the culture changed for Tucson High football under second-year head coach Zachary Neveleff, a former longtime running backs coach at Salpointe Catholic?

A: “I think Zach is amazing. He’s an amazing coach and has turned us around so much in so many different ways on the field and off the field. As a player, I’ve improved so much. Off the field, he’s given me so much advice that I can take for real life. I’ve been appreciative having Zach as a coach.”

In what way has Neveleff helped you the most?

A: “I’d say being a leader. Last year, I was on the team but I wasn’t really a leader. Zach helped me a lot in becoming a leader. Props to him.”

How did you become a quarterback?

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A: “This all started when I was 8 or 9 years old. I started out as a receiver, then our quarterback went down and we didn’t have any other quarterback. I just went in as a quarterback not knowing what to do. Since then, I’ve been going with the flow. ... I didn’t know what to do, how to throw the ball, how to hold it. ... Ever since I transformed me into being a quarterback, it’s been an amazing experience. My dad has helped me a lot with getting training coaches and helping me become a better quarterback and leader. Big props to my dad in helping me become more improved as a quarterback.”

What do you like to do outside of football?

A: “That’s a hard one. I love fishing. All my friends on the team, we go fishing on the weekend. That’s a fun thing.”

How did you start fishing?

A: “One of the safeties on our team, Kevin Bruns, and (wide receiver) Joseph Romero, they both got me into fishing. They asked us if we wanted to go fishing one day. I was like, ‘Yeah, sure, why not?’ We all went and had a blast, so that’s what got me into fishing.”

Where do you go fishing? What do you catch?

A: “We go all over the place in Tucson. We go to Sahuarita, Lakeside (Park), all over the place. We usually fish for catfish, bluegill. It’s getting cold soon, so trout season is coming up.”

What’s your favorite football team?

A: “The Eagles. ... My dad is an Eagles fan, so it grew on me.”

Earlier in the season, Tucson High lost to Marana 56-7. What did you learn from that loss that prepared you for back-to-back wins?

A: “I think it pushed us to be better. We know we’re a better team and we know we shouldn’t be getting waxed like that. It put a fire in us to become a better team and improve. ... We know our destination is playoffs and state, so we gotta come out with a big win. We gotta keep our heads leveled, watch film and break everything down for CatFoot.”