Gareth Kwok is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Coronado for AZPreps365

Jacob Finch is not a hard player to recognize. His helmet reaches up to his teammates’ shoulder pads. His small stature catches the eyes of opposing teams. Sometimes opponents try to take advantage of his size.

Yet, it doesn’t matter for the Coronado freshman cornerback and wide receiver.

During a team scrimmage in last Wednesday’s practice, Finch lined up as cornerback five yards from his man. After the snap, he backpedaled and kept his receiver in front of him, playing tight defense while angling his man to the sideline. The pass intended for the receiver fell to the ground.

“It would be nice if we can get a touchdown!” offensive coordinator Josh Denhalter said in frustration after the play.

Finch immediately looked at Denhalter and wagged his index finger.

“No it’s not!” Finch yelled.

For a winless Coronado (0-6) team that has struggled because of depth and disciplinary issues, the smallest player on the team is playing with the big boys. Yet, he is no stranger to the game unlike most of his teammates.

Finch can often be seen directing his teammates to better positioning while also giving them tips, which has caught his coach’s attention.

“He’s showing leadership and that’s partly because of him and his family and how he was brought up and also by witnessing some of these older guys and how they carry themselves,” coach Curt LeBlanc said. “It’s not a hierarchy of you’re down here and we’re up here. If we get everyone to buy into that, that’s going to take us to the next level much faster.”

Finch said he started playing football at around age 5 and 6 and he’s been playing tackle since the beginning of his career. His dad taught him how to catch the ball, which inspired him to play wide receiver.

“It’s very challenging,” Finch said. “It pushes myself and it releases stress most of the time. So when I’m angry, I can just let it out.”

Despite his size, his teammates are impressed with his IQ, work ethic and talent. 

“To be in his first year and to be his size, he’s incredibly talented,” junior wide receiver Daijon Safford said. “Even though he’s short, he might not show it all now but I feel like in the future, he will be a force.”

Finch said playing varsity football has been difficult, due to the physicality.

“I’ve received big hits and they hurt,” Finch said. “Like when you get hit by a senior, it hurts a lot.

“It’s very tiring. Sometimes people don’t keep their grades up so you got to step in and lay the hit and work hard.”

For LeBlanc, his size and age do not matter on the field.

“When the ball is kicked, your class of freshman, sophomore, junior, senior is irrelevant,” LeBlanc said. “The ball doesn’t know what class you are. The ball knows who’s hustling and who’s getting after it and he has experience in tackle football before high school. He’s a tough little kid. He’s a sponge. He wants more and he’s not going to shy away from what we’re trying to do and I think that’s pretty neat.”

LeBlanc has high expectations for Finch for next season and beyond.

“He needs to be an impact player because he’s earned his spurs this year,” LeBlanc said. “He’s got that initial varsity experience behind him; now it is time to grow. These younger guys, this is their year to get that initial experience and then next year, the expectations of those guys will be that much more.”

LeBlanc’s expectations do not compare to Finch’s, though.

“I want to play college football and hopefully go on to the NFL,” Finch said.

Which colleges are on his radar? One of them isn’t far from his high school.

“ASU or Michigan State,” Finch said.

The team is excited to see the youngster develop into a key player for Coronado.

“I hope to see him grow,” Safford said. “I also hope to see him get smarter and more athletic and honestly, he’s going to be a beast one day.”