Ben Parks is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover — High School for AZPreps365.

Desert Ridge tight end Creed Hallows has become an emerging star on the Jaguars offense this season.

Hallows spent his first two seasons on the varsity football team as an offensive linemen. Going into his senior season, he changed his position to become a receiving threat at tight end.

Through his first six games, Hallows has recorded 26 receptions for 417 yards and seven touchdowns. His receiving yards ranked him eighth in all of 6A and first in the Fiesta region over that span. He is also tied for first in touchdown receptions in the 6A division and ranks first in the Fiesta region over that span.

His emergence started when last year’s tight end, Jacob Condie, graduated, leaving a hole to fill on offense. Head coach Roy Lopez said he saw Creed’s potential.

“He is an incredible athlete, one of the best we have,” said Lopez, adding that he can see Creed playing college football over the next few years.

Hallows is listed at 6 foot, 3 inches tall and 225 pounds. His big build allows him to block effectively on run and screen plays, but his speed and route running is where he becomes effective in the pass game.

“I’ve definitely carried the blocking aspect of O-line over to tight end,” Hallows said. “And the mental toughness, being out there playing with the big guys.”

But it’s his versatility that elevates the offense.

“I’ve just had natural speed, and they noticed that they put me out at tight end,” Hallows said.

And this year, he has been a crucial part of both the passing and rushing offense. Lopez even noted that after the first couple games of the season, Creed started to see much more attention from the opposing defenses.

Creed has taken the step up as a senior, and has taken a role as a leader for his teammates.

“It feels good knowing that I can be a leader for the young ones,” Hallows said. “Being a leader and showing what a leading receiver and player is supposed to look like.”

Hallows has been quarterback Major Wootan’s top target this season and 7 of Wootan’s 11 passing touchdowns have been to the tight end.

Wootan had high praise for his teammate.

“Just a baller man,” Wootan said. “He goes out there, competes, catches routes, and is a great blocker too.”

Overall, Hallows has made the most of his opportunity, becoming a major threat in the Jaguars passing attack, and helping his team. With Desert Ridge on a two-game win streak, Hallows and the Jaguars look to keep the momentum alive going into the final three games of the regular season.