Markos Tsegaye is a Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Shadow Ridge High School for AZPreps365.com

SURPRISE – It was a hot Wednesday afternoon in October, typical Arizona weather but slightly better than the 100-degree days that have come with regularity. 

The Shadow Ridge High School football team was holding another one of their daily practices. In spite of their winless start to the season, the atmosphere among the group remained positive. 

One man that’s continued to make his presence felt at these practices is Drew Pearson, defensive coordinator of the Stallions. Pearson is known to bring a positive and fiery energy to the team.

Pearson said he credits his former college coach, Mike Swider, for the approach he has to coaching.

“He’s the best motivator that I’ve ever seen or been around, at any level,” Pearson said. “He was so positive that kids wanted to play for him.”

During the early portion of the practice, the Stallions were doing warm-up drills. It was a few minutes into the drills when Pearson raised his voice at a player who was attempting to participate despite not being medically cleared. 

Moments later, Pearson pulled him to the side and talked to the player in a lower, more conversational tone. He was advising him not to do something like that again. 

It was yet another indicator of the care Pearson has for his players, both on and off the field. A care that stems from his faith in Jesus Christ.

“When I have that identity that I’m a child of God it helps give me perspective on how to handle everything else that life throws your way,” Pearson said. 

Pearson, 47, is part of a new coaching staff at Shadow Ridge led by coach Michael Zdebski. Pearson arrived from Georgia in April with his wife, Cindy, two daughters, Sara and Joy, and two sons, Nate and Luke, to begin their new journey. 

But Arizona is a familiar place to the Pearson family as he used to be a coach at Valley Vista under the leadership of Jason Wilke, the current athletic director at Shadow Ridge. Wilke called Pearson notifying him of Shadow Ridge’s efforts to put together a coaching staff for Zdebski.

“Coach Zdebski has a great track record,” Pearson said. “He’s a hall of fame coach in the state of Michigan. He was successful at Hamilton, and he’s a very good football coach.”

In addition to the role Wilke and Zdebski played, Pearson was also attracted to Shadow Ridge because of his relationship with their principal, Cedricia Hester, who is also from Georgia. Pearson said one of the reasons he came to Shadow Ridge was because of Hester’s desire for ‘strong male servant-leadership’ on campus. 

“It’s no secret that this place has not excelled football-wise and we just want to do everything we can to turn that around,” Pearson said. “We feel like we have the support of administration, and under coach Zdebski’s leadership, we feel like we have a chance.”

Zdebski didn’t have any familiarity with Pearson when he interviewed him virtually for the coaching position. They got to know each other once Pearson arrived in Arizona in the spring. Because of Pearson’s reputation, Zdebski said he’s not been surprised with what Pearson has brought to the team. 

“He’s a great person, he’s got a great rapport with the students and he’s very positive in everything he approaches,” Zdebski said. “When I got a chance to talk to him, it seemed to be a good fit and it has been a good fit.”

Pearson’s sons play for the Shadow Ridge football team. Nate is a junior and plays tight end, linebacker and special teams for the Stallions. Luke is a freshman who plays wide receiver. 

The two brothers have bonded over football since their days as ball boys for the teams their dad coached. It led to the both of them naturally picking up the sport themselves.

“My brother and I are really close. We’ve been doing everything together since being kids,” Luke said. “It’s just second nature to go to him for anything I need.”

“We’ve been to like three different schools (as ball boys),” Nate said. “I remember being on the sidelines as a kid thinking ‘this is going to be me one day.’” 

Luke is naturally a quarterback but he’s temporarily playing in the receiver position as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Nate’s also recovering from a shoulder injury but he’s expected to be back before the end of the season. 

Shadow Ridge is 0-7 to this point. Some games have been closer than others, specifically the last two against Apollo and O’Connor. But for Pearson, the process has always been more important than the results. 

“We can’t control the wins and losses, but we can control how we practice,” Pearson said. 

Pearson said he thinks that Shadow Ridge’s best football is out in front of them, and that’s been a statement echoed by the rest of the Stallions coaching staff. But one thing is for certain, Pearson’s positive approach to football has always boiled down to one thing: Faith. 

“My true happiness comes from my relationship with Christ,” Pearson said. “When I keep my focus on him, it overflows to others.”