Cody Marmon is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover San Tan Charter for AZPreps365.com.

For Jacob Mendoza, playing football has always had a different meaning. 

“How I play my game is who I am as a person,” Mendoza said. 

“The offensive lineman are my challenges in life,” Mendoza said. “As a defensive tackle, my job is to get through them. I have to work hard, but I will never give up.” 

That never-give-up mentality has been ingrained into Mendoza, who has been part of a group home system since he was 16 years old. Mendoza is 18 now and will head off to college next fall. 

“I became mentally strong when I joined a group home for independent living,” Mendoza said. 

Mendoza is one of three senior captains for the San Tan Charter football team (5-2, 5-1), which is in second place in the 2A Salt Section and ranked No. 9 in the 2A division. 

Mendoza was nervous at first. “It’s a high honor to be captain of a team like this,” he said.

“I think being a captain means everything to him," said San Tan Charter defensive coordinator Matt Neill, who has coached Mendoza for a year and a half. “We’re a family on that field, and I think it means a ton to that kid.” 

Mendoza has collected seven sacks in his two years of varsity football at San Tan Charter. 

Mendoza had the best game of his high school football career against Tanque Verde on Sept. 16, accumulating two sacks and nine tackles in a defensive battle that the Roadrunners won, 16-7. 

“Jacob impacts the game almost every snap he plays, " San Tan Charter coach Chase Cartwright said. 

 “He takes on double teams in the opposing offense's run game nearly every play,” Cartwright said. “He (Jacob) shows up late in games in one-on-one pass-rushing opportunities. He’s had a handful of quarterback sacks already this season to go along with a couple of forced fumbles as well.”

Mendoza is undersized for his position, listed at 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, but his speed makes up for his size. In addition, he’s got a knack for stripping the football (four this season) out of the opposing team's hands in crucial situations. 

Mendoza excels in the weight room, where he’s maxed out at deadlifting 500 pounds.

Mendoza started gaining more confidence as he pursued strength and conditioning training as a freshman. 

He became one of the strongest athletes at San Tan Charter through hard work and consistently being in the weight room.

“Jacob was our first lifter here at San Tan Charter, (out Davis’ second year teaching at San Tan Charter) to hit 500 pounds on a trap bar deadlift,” strength and conditioning coach Bobby Davis said. "He set the bar and inspired other athletes to do things they maybe didn’t think were possible.”

Mendoza's presence is noticed daily with his football teammates and coaching staff. 

Cartwright had his 29 players write on a notecard things they were battling in their personal lives. 

Mendoza’s card is one Cartwright keeps close to him at all times. 

He shows his emotions differently and sees the game from a different perspective because of the situation he has in his life. He doesn’t take anything for granted.

 “The kid’s got heart,” Neill said. “So many of his teammates have commented on how much they love him because Jacob will always have their back.”   

Mendoza takes on a lot of responsibility on the defensive side of the ball, especially when it comes to diving head-first in the playbook and watching film. Much of that is due to Mendoza's 4.0 grade-point average. 

“He’ll (Jacob) do anything for anyone,” Neill said. “Jacob constantly works. Fighting for everything he has is remarkable.” 

Mendoza’s long-term goal is to go to Grand Canyon University where he received an academic scholarship, and he plans to major in psychology to become a therapist. 

“I want to help others realize that they are not alone,” Mendoza said. “I want to open up my own group home for kids potentially.”