Karli Koskovich is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus Shadows for AZPreps365.com.

The strength behind the Cactus Shadows Falcons offensive line stems from junior offensive tackle and left guard, Cavan Pine.

At age 6, Pine lost his father to Stage 4 colon cancer. He was the reason Pine started playing football. 

“Everytime I step on the field I tap my chest three times and I say, 'I love you dad,''' said Pine. 

Along with his sister, Mirabel ,19, Pine lives with his mother whom he calls his “biggest cheerleader." 

However, the death of his father was not the only thing that made Pine grow up so fast. Entering high school, he again dealt with adversity as his mother was diagnosed with cancer. 

“It really was just the lowest moment in my life,” said Pine. “Like, why does this have to happen to both of my parents?” 

During this time, Pine turned to teammates and his best friend Kaden Thomas. Pine’s oldest friend, no one knows him quite like Thomas. 

During moments of despair, Thomas was the person who would remind him who he is and how far he has come. 

“I would tell him to let those feelings motivate you to become a better you,” said Thomas. “Seriously, his mind heals at rates that are mind boggling.”

Even though Pine had the support of his teammates and his best friend, with his mother’s diagnoses he had a difficult first half of high school.

“It just wasn’t fair, she puts everything on the line for me,” said Pine.

No child should have to deal with the pain of losing a parent, let alone, the possibility of both.

“I really dedicated myself to football around that time. That’s when I became really close to Coach Dixon too,” said Pine.

Cactus Shadows head coach Chris Dixon has been one of Pine’s biggest supporters since he started at Cactus Shadows. 

“He feels like a dad to me. He pushes me because he knows I can be really good,” said Pine.

Dixon really took Pine under his wing around the time of his mother’s diagnosis. He would see the pain in his eyes but right along with it he saw passion. 

“He’s hungry to be great and he works hard,'' said Dixon. 

Dixon has nurtured the chemistry of his varsity squad and he explains each player has a genuine love for their teammates and program. Pine is a perfect example of leadership.

“He’s a great leader and really takes the young guys in and is a great teammate,” Dixon said.

The sun shined brighter in the summer of 2022, as Pine’s mother officially went into remission. 

“The only thing I could think about was how I was going to have my mother to make it through my life,” said Pine.

Not many children know the feeling of a second chance, but Pine knows not to waste them.

“I learned to seriously never give up and to just keep fighting,” said Pine.

With dreams of playing football at a Div. I school, Pine hopes his story reflects why he is the way he is. His story is the reason he is the one who is always ready; the reason he is the first one on the field; and the reason he hits the hardest. 

“You just never know when it’s going to be taken from you,” said Pine.