Joseph "Joey" Counts, a 2012 Desert Ridge High School alumnus, sadly passed away in November 2024. As a student, Joey played three years of varsity football for coach Jeremey Hathcock, quickly establishing himself as a force on the field. After his freshman year, Coach Hathcock saw his immense potential, moving him up to varsity the very next season. No one could have known it then, but Joey was about to become part of a team and a class that would change Desert Ridge athletics forever. In 2011, Joey’s junior year, he along with others, played major roles in leading Desert Ridge to their very first state game in Desert Ridge history against Hamilton High School. Joey had 18 carries, rushing for 124 yards that game ending his season with 174 carries with 1,329 rushing yards, 78 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. He would then be, and is today, the only Junior running back in Arizona history selected to the Super 25. The following season, his senior season, was nothing short of extraordinary. After missing the first two games due to a summer training injury, Joey broke the State single game rushing record for 411 yards against North Canyon, scoring 5 touchdowns at home. The 2012 team would then go on to make it to the semi-finals in a highly anticipated rematch against Hamilton High. In that game Joey had 20 carries for 109 rushing yards and 4 receptions for 20 yards. Though the team lost, it was a great season. Joey ended his senior year once again selected to the Super 25 ending his senior year with 180 carries for 1,719 rushing yards, 200 receiving yards, and 23 touchdowns. Joey finished his football career at Desert Ridge as a scholar athlete with a grand total of 3,485 yards and 46 touchdowns, voted by his teammates and coaches as Most Inspirational Player, selected as an Arizona Cardinals Player of the Week, and a two time nominee and recipient of Arizona’s Super 25. His impact was not limited to just the football field; he also excelled at the state level in both wrestling and baseball. After graduation, Joey wore the number 21 for the University of Montana Griz football team. His legacy continued there, culminating in an iconic historical moment on August 29, 2015. In the final six seconds of the televised College Gameday Opener, he completed the winning touchdown against the four-peat FCS Champions, North Dakota State University, with the final score of 38-35. In 2017, after graduating from the University of Montana, Joey returned home to the community he loved so much. He mentored and trained young athletes, college athletes, and professionals. He even spent time coaching at Desert Ridge alongside Coach Hathcock. In 2021, he joined the Gilbert Fire Department, finding his purpose in serving his community. But Joey was so much more than an athlete; he was an incredibly humble man of faith and had the biggest heart. At Desert Ridge he was part of the Best Buddies program and made it part of the varsity football program his junior and senior years. Joey was also an active member and leader in The Fellowship of Christian Athletes during high school and at the University of Montana. He was not afraid to share his faith and encouraged others to develop personal relationships with God. Joey fiercely loved and truly cared about people,  his community and was a dedicated civil servant. His smile wrapped you in his light  and his spirit touched everyone he met. He cherished and maintained friendships for life and always kept you in his heart. Even now, Joey continues to give and make an impact on the world through his participation with the CTE research program at Boston University.   Joey was always there for his community and his legacy is something that should continue to live on at his high school. Not only did Joey set records on the field, but he depicted how a student athlete should be. Please sign this petition to retire Desert Ridge High School’s Varsity Football’s #4.