Travis Hickey attends Empire High School and is a member of the AIA student SID program.

Empire football acquired a new coach for the 2019-2020 football season, George Kelly. Kelly has big aspirations for the team and says he wants to gain their trust on and off the field.

After speaking to Coach Kelly,  I have learned that he has been surrounded by football throughout his life. Coach Kelly's background runs deep in Tucson football. He has coached at Catalina, Pima Community College, and now Empire High School. Kelly coached at Catalina as a defensive back, wide receivers, and special teams coach for the 2012 and 2013 season. From 2014-2017, Kelly coached at Pima Community College as a defensive back and strength and conditioning coach. He then took a break in 2018 to clear his mind and focus on his family. At the time, Kelly was not looking to get into a head coaching role, but a good friend mentioned Empire, and he took the job. He is hoping that the football players are able to play as a team and play with 100% confidence.

The Empire football team has so far started out 1-3 with a couple of rough games. Injuries have plagued the team. Kelly says injuries will be their biggest obstacle for the season. He also says that they have leaders on the team that they are looking up to help the team win and help them come together. Two seniors that Kelly referenced as leaders are Juan Hulgin, who plays offensive and defensive line, and Cody Pacheco, who plays wide receiver. He also talked about young guys that he is looking forward to in the years to come. Kelly said those include Hyrum Tanner and Quintin Moore.

Coach Kelly says he is looking to put Empire on the high school football map. This is one of his biggest goals. Empire will always be a part of him, and he can't wait to coach them for years to come.

Come out and support Empire this coming Friday as they try to rally their team and get the second win of the season against Nogales.