(10-16-26) A changed play in a 14-12 win has turned into a season-long saga at Mesa Arizona’s by Desert Ridge High School — the starting quarterback is gone, 12 players are suspended for the rest of the season, and a viral video now has ex-NFL coach Lovie Smith in the middle of it.
The dismissal
Senior quarterback Gunner Brewer was dismissed from the Jaguars by head coach Miles Smith on Oct. 5, three days after Brewer helped lead a 14-12 win at Vail Cienega. According to Brewer’s mother, Marie, the reason was that her son changed a play on his own — calling an audible at the line of scrimmage.
Marie Brewer told The Arizona Republic
“He said, ‘Hey, I felt like you disrespected me, and I can’t have that on my team. You’re off. Get your stuff and go.”
Brewer said he never expected it: the team’s former offensive coordinator had allowed him to call audibles when he saw something in the defense. That coordinator was let go after a 56-20 loss to Mesa Westwood on Sept. 25.
Brewer said-
“I never got told it was bad to call an audible. Never had a one-on-one meeting that it was bad. I’m disappointed because I wanted to finish my senior year.”
Through six games, Brewer had completed 101 of 203 passes for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 359 rushing yards and six scores. He played on last year’s 0-10 Desert Ridge team as a junior.
The walkout
Two days after the dismissal, the team met to discuss it. Offensive lineman Will Stark stood up and asked who wanted Brewer back — a large group raised their hands, according to his mother, Kristie Stark. An assistant coach told them that if they didn’t like the decision, they could leave. Twelve players walked out.
All 12 were subsequently suspended for the rest of the season, including five seniors. The seven underclassmen were told they could return for winter workouts. Their banners were removed and their equipment taken from lockers.
Athletic director Kevin Swann later sent a letter to football parents with a different account: he said players were given a chance to voice opinions, denied that Smith raised his voice, disrespected players or told them to leave, and said the meeting ended with instructions to separate into offensive and defensive groups — after which a group chose to leave practice. The differing accounts remain unresolved.
The fallout
Desert Ridge lost 49-7 at home to Mesa Red Mountain on Oct. 9, falling to 2-5. A viral video showed Lovie Smith — Miles Smith’s father and a former NFL head coach who works on the Jaguars’ staff — in a heated exchange with a booster before the game, needing to be physically held back by his son.
Smith said-
“Do you understand that? Do not walk in that locker room again.”
Brewer showed up for the Jaguars’ Oct. 15 home game against Tempe Corona del Sol anyway. He watched from outside the stadium but spoke with media:
“I’ve been here for four years. My brother went through here. I love the community. The community’s got my back.”
Athletic director Kevin Swann turned away Arizona Republic reporter Richard Obert and a photographer attempting to cover the Jaguars’ matchup against Corona del Sol on Thursday, Oct. 15. Swann said he was acting under a directive from Gilbert Public Schools.
What’s next
Kristie Stark said she had a “GREAT conversation” with principal Scott Smith earlier this week, but the 12 suspended players remain out for the season, and Smith and Swann have not publicly commented on the Brewer dismissal.
