Mikey Cruz is having the senior season he expected when he enrolled at Shadow Ridge, with the big wins and big numbers.

He never would have imagined the role he would play in that success or the winding road the Stallions would take to success.

At 5-8, 160 pounds, Cruz always played slot and/or cornerback until late in the 2024 season. Now he is the second leading rusher in the 6A Conference — and 15th in Arizona including smaller schools that have played five games — with 581 rushing yards.

“He runs like a dude that weight a buck ninety-five or 205,” Shadow Ridge Coach Mike Zdebski said.

His transformation into an every down back began late in the 2024 season. Cruz carried 10 times for 60 yards in week seven at Apollo, then eight times for 108 yards in the final game against Valley Vi

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