Monsoon season arrived late in Arizona this year. When it did, it brought two days of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms that left most of the dry state drenched.

In Globe, Pinal Creek overflowed with about two inches of rainfall, creating a flood nearly 20 feet deep that damaged homes, swept away vehicles, and left three people dead and one missing.

Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency in Gila County, mobilizing support for rescue and cleanup.

Among those answering the call-to-action was the Combs High School varsity football team, when they decided to delay the start of their fall break to help cleanup instead of spending it recovering from a 5-0 season.

When they arrived, it wasn’t immediately clear how bad the damage was.

“At first we didn’t know there was a basement, so our initial impression was that it wasn’t as bad as we thought,” junior Skyler Lawrence said, “But once we went down to the basement, it was much worse than we had expected.”

Through their tireless efforts, the players made sure to make the best of the time they spent with each other by reinforcing bonds that had previously been forged on the football field.

“They turned a bad situation into a great experience. We were able to laugh while working,” said senior Alan Chaparro. “Our bond as teammates only grew.”

The team spent the day clearing debris and cleaning out an antique shop’s basement.

Their clothes were soaked, and their bodies were sore, but they persisted and eventually finished.

Between the mud, laughter, and teamwork, a deeper meaning was found once they were complete.

“This experience showed me how people can come together in a time of need and help out the people affected by this tragedy,” Lawrence said.

As athletes, the team was used to being recognized for their efforts on the field, and this was no different.

Gaining support from their community back home in San Tan Valley and even meeting the expectations that head coach Levi Hoaglund had always believed his players could live up to.

“One of our biggest messages is to treat others the way you want to be treated. What these players did was a perfect example of that,” Hoaglund said.

“Too often, people stand on the sidelines and hope someone else will step in when help is needed. Our guys saw a need and acted. That showed real empathy and leadership – the qualities we try to build every day on the field.”

The effort in Globe shows how leadership can come from anyone—even a group of teenagers who decided that teamwork and compassion doesn’t stop when they step off the football field.