Adonis Watt doesn’t see himself as an inspiration to young athletes’ football.
He ridiculed the idea of children being role models who fought through various adversities. Instead, the resident of Ahwatukee remembers everything he has achieved as well as fulfilling his dreams.
But Adonis Watt is an inspiration. He showed that no matter how many adversities there are in life, anything can be overcome with the right amount of dedication and drive. He has proven this repeatedly from a young age and has lost his sight as a result of swimming in the pool.
He has repeatedly proven that he reunited with his parents and that despite his disability, he can still play football. And on Saturday, April 24 at Chandler’s Wild Horse Pass Casino and Resort, he added another chapter to his legacy as a recipient of the Shaw Carriage Award from the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the National Football Foundation at his 41st Annual Scholar-Athlete Lunch.
“It’s always nice to be respected by people you work with every day and people in the same field as you. It’s a step towards something bigger. I’m enjoying the process and happy to be here,” Watt said.
Adonis Watt was one of 23 high school football players honored at Saturday’s luncheon. Every player, with their skills on the field that has helped many of them to advance to the next level of football, has established themselves as great students in the classroom.
Many of the athletes’ grade points are above the average 4.0 mark, and many have taken advantage of their academic success to help advance their football and academic careers.
Watt is an example of that.
He captured the heart of the high school football community when he made his varsity debut for Bruffy in 2019. Watt, a sophomore at the time, stood in line while running against Alhambra High School and plunged into the last area from a yard out.
It was at this point that Watt decided not to give up his dream of playing football once his vision became dark. Either way, he keeps pushing himself to get involved. But that was normal for him.
“When you find something you like, stick with it until you can, or you don’t love it anymore until the wheel falls off,” Watt said. “It simply came to our notice then.
“Everyone has their own fight. It just happens to be my vision. That’s how I see it. ”
Adonis Watt Lincoln told Brad Sesmat of MC and Arizona Sports360 shortly after receiving the Shaw Courage Award that he plans to further his education at Arizona State or USC.
However, he still has plans to play football.
Watke was honored along with other East Valley High School seniors from Chandler, Gilbert, and Messer, as well as others from Yuma, Parker, and St. John’s across the Valley and across the state.
The event honored Arizona State Award-winning Associate Athletic Director of Media Relations Mark Brand, AIA Executive Director David Hines, and longtime quarterback coach Dan Manucci as “Distinguished Arizonas”.
In addition, Corey Stephens of Arizona State University, who was invited to the event as a senior at Saguaro High School, Anthony Sweeney of the University of Northern Arizona, and Austin Sister of the University of Ottawa, who will enter the 2022 NFL Draft hoping for a chance. A team, as a punter, is honored.
“There are 23 of us here today and it’s really exciting,” said Bryce Chen, Arizona College prep senior. “I’m surprised right now. I’m sorry for the noise because I came from a small school. Some of these kids are from big 6A schools. I’m just Wow, I’m here.”
Chen was honored with the Core Construction Award for his time on the field and in the classroom at Arizona College Prep. He was one of the seniors who helped make the program as it is today, a 4A conference team that recently hosted the first real home game on its new campus.
His four years at ACP were special. He challenged himself both on the field and in the classroom with a 4.35 GPA and became the Knights’ top wide receiver as a senior and received a scholarship to play at the next level at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, a Division III engineering school. Indiana.
With Chen, Nason Coleman, a standout tight end for Chandler who fought through an ACL tear that kept him by his side during his junior season, was present at the event. Coleman will continue his career at BYU in the fall.
Dawson Hubbard, the top one
A defensive lineman in this state
Hamilton, who helped bring the Huskies to national prominence this past season, was also honored and will attend Butler University.
Seton Catholic senior Matthias Benali received the Native American Award from the National Football Foundation Valley in the Sun Chapter on Saturday while East Valley and Scottsdale honorees included Red Mountain senior Ryan Grossclass, Mesa senior Joshua Irish, and Notre Dior. Coach Tom Whitley Memorial Award.
Saguaro senior Miles Krachli was the fifth recipient of the Bob and Janet Cassiola Family Scholarship on Saturday. He shared the moment with teammate Thomas Dichesaro, who received the highest honor of the day.
“There’s a lot of good, smart athletic boys out there,” De Chesaro said.
“It’s really nice to have everyone come together for such a big event to honor our achievements.”
De Chesaro was named NFF Valley of the Sun Chapter Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The senior helped Saguaro lose to Chandler at the Open Division State Championships last fall.
Also a standout pitcher for the Sabercats, De Chesaro prides himself on proving the suspects wrong. He was overlooked by big college programs because he was considered small for his position as a 5-foot-10, 182-pound safety.
But Lake Forest College gave him a chance. Now De Chesaro will be ready to continue the fascination on and off the field.
“I can’t wait to show more people who have counted me for college that I am capable of,” De Chesaro said. “I want to dominate like a high school. I’m excited about the opportunity.
