Durell Thomas Jr. is a student journalist at Arizona State University assigned to cover Marcos De Niza High School for AZPreps365.com

Role players might not always shine in the brightest spotlight, but they're indispensable in their team's success.

Marcos De Niza senior Michael Turner is his team's top outside linebacker and wide receiver who elevates the Padres with his unwavering commitment, determination, and relentless spirit.

"I believe that I am an outlier on the field at times," says Turner. "I, at times, get irritated, but I realize that me being on the field allows others to get open. Teams get caught up trying to cover me, not realizing how good of a receiving corps we have and that we have other players on the team that can make plays. We can expand our offense more, allowing explosive plays."

While Michael Turner occasionally gets frustrated, he never loses sight of his broader mission to make his team shine. He's aware of the role he plays, which goes beyond the statistics and highlights. 

Turner's journey to becoming a standout player at Marcos De Niza is marked by resilience from his home life.

"I have a very tough and emotional upbringing," he said. "Every time I'm on the field, I think about my family issues and my nephew. I want to do this for them. It gives me the strength to push, no matter how hard it gets."

Running downhill catching passes, blocking for his teammates, and making pivotal plays in various coverages is what exudes Turner's commitment on both offense and defense.

"I play both sides of the ball and contribute a lot to offense and defense," Turner said. "I think I am the type of player that every game I am capable of making plays and changing momentum or the pace of the game just by one play. It's never been a one-time thing."

As a leader on the field and in the locker room, Turner carries a message for his teammates and aspiring players to make the same sacrifices to improve their skills.

"For the people that have been playing or just started, hard work always pays off. Forget about all the internet gimmicks. Someone is always watching," Turner said. "There is always a place for you if you put in the work to get there. Don't ever get discouraged because of a bad game or a bad play; you always can make up for it."

Turner is a shining example of the unsung heroes in high school football, those who inspire and lead by example, propelling their teams to greater heights.

Under the guidance of head coach Anthony Figueroa, the Padres have an invaluable asset whose dedication, determination, and selflessness embody the true spirit of the game, reminding everyone that teamwork and hard work are the true keys to success.

Turner's impact on his teammates is palpable. Senior Antoine Anderson, who plays alongside Turner, shared, "Playing with Mike, you know it's very intense. He makes everyone around him better by going hard in practice. As him at defensive end, he makes me better by going hard and delivering big hits, making me better as a running back."

Another senior, Adan Estrada, added, "He's always the guy to keep the energy up; he's our hype man, no matter what scenario we're in."

With every play, Turner continues to show that the real MVPs don't always bask in the spotlight, but they are the ones who elevate their teams to victory.