Throughout the football season, the Corona Del Sol Aztecs had a lot of ups and downs as a team, finishing 4-6. 

In a season filled with so many different emotions, it can be difficult for a team with such diverse backgrounds to stay together and keep focus. Yet the Aztecs did. 

The Aztecs have many different characters on this team. For starters, their leading receiver, Eric Blackwell, is a former basketball player and drives from the other side of Tempe every day to be with his teammates. 

“Yeah, I’m not gonna lie, I was a little nervous about joining the team and fitting in because of me being a basketball player my first few years [of high school], as different as the sports are it's the same family atmosphere here,” said Blackwell. 

While Blackwell may live across town, his home is on the field with the Aztec football team. 

The Aztecs also have a female kicker who began her high school athletic career playing soccer: Jasper Schineller. Corona Del Sol is the only school in the 6A Central region to have a female athlete on its football team. 

“Not only did I come from another sport, but I’m also a girl, but the guys here really welcomed me in,” said Schineller. 

Apart from having multiple athletes from other sports, both male and female, the Aztecs add to their diversity even more with a coach like Jon Becktold. 

A native of Glendale, Ariz., Becktold brings a unique mindset to the Aztecs with his vast experience in the coaching world. Becktold was named Black Canyon Region Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2010, the Arizona Cardinals Coach of the Week in 2008, the Division 3 Section 6 Coach of the Year in 2013, and 4A Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003.

“We play hard as a team and we all know how to come together to play football,” said Becktold. 

The Aztecs ended their season with four wins and six losses, finishing fifth in their conference. While the losing record may not be seen as a positive, their win total increased by three games, and the entire team's chemistry improved.