Sierra Linda's quarterback prodigy
November 13, 2023 by Oliver Fell, Arizona State University
Oliver Fell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism Student assigned to cover Sierra Linda High School for azpreps365.com
How many 13-year-olds do you know that could play football at the high school level?
Maybe a handful you’ve come across could crack varsity. What about starting week #1 at quarterback of a division 4A program?
And how many of those kids could throw for 5 touchdowns in their debut game alongside 18-year-old high schoolers?
Sierra Linda High School has a player like that.
Camar Lee talks to head coach Ty Preyer after a missed pass versus Gila Ridge High School September in Phoenix (Oliver Fell/AZPreps365)From the first game at his new high school, Camar Lee was selected for possibly the most prestigious sports position any high schooler could strive for: varsity starting quarterback.
Lee did not disappoint. The 13-year-old freshman threw for 226 yards, 5 touchdowns, and just 1 interception in his debut 46-6 win over Alhambra High School. Now over a year and 20 consecutive starts later, Lee has cemented himself as one of the state’s premier young talents at the QB position.
From the first few weeks of summer practice and tryouts, Sierra Linda head coach Ty Preyer said he took notice of Lee and knew the freshman was destined for big things.
“Camar came in during the summer and quickly took charge," Preyer said via text message. "He built relationships and was just a smart kid with a great arm.
“The team rallied behind him. He was able to lead and bounce back and we just gelled behind him.”
This gave Preyer the confidence to start the young quarterback in week 1 of the 2022-23 season.
Over the last two seasons, Lee has thrown for 3,368 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions while also rushing for 170 yards and 3 touchdowns.
He’s shown his touch and playmaking ability to plenty of opponents across 4A and 5A football.
With how exceptional his start was, one would expect a great deal of pressure to be placed upon his shoulders to perform at a high level. Lee acknowledges the pressure and uses it to become better.
Lee also sees himself as a role model those in his own Class of 2026 can look up to.
“I view my role as a role model to the people in my grade to work harder also a leader to everyone and all eyes are on me,” Lee said.
In addition to success on the football field, Lee is a good student, posting a 3.3 GPA and a winning attitude.
Camar Lee throws a pass over a Gila Ridge defender on a 21-yard passing touchdown to Seth Daily September 30 in Phoenix. (Oliver Fell/AZPreps365)As for his position as possibly a four-year starter, a luxury typically only afforded to those with outstanding abilities and instincts, Lee sees it as “an honor knowing that I’m in control of the future and what's next for me.”
As for Preyer, he seems to have absolute confidence in the future of the Sierra Linda football program with Camar at the helm.
With plenty of time left in high school, the now 14-year-old Lee is already 6 foot, 1 inches tall and still growing. He has two more seasons remaining for the Sierra Linda Bulldogs and has set his sights on securing the program’s first playoff appearance in school history.
