Junior lineman Esteban Ortiz ran onto the field with his Desert View (Tucson, AZ) teammates, ready to take on Sunnyside (Tucson, AZ). But a surprise awaited him before the game began.
As the Jaguars ran onto the field, a man in a white Navy sailor uniform crossed in front of the group and made a beeline for Ortiz. It was Isaiah Ortiz, back from deployment, there to embrace his brother and see him play the high school football game. Javier Morales with All Sports Tucson has the video:
Touching moment - Isaiah Ortiz returned from his deployment with the Navy unbeknownst to his brother Esteban and greeted Esteban after Desert View ran on to the field. pic.twitter.com/zO8B8S6fiI
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) October 2, 2026
It was a touching moment ahead of the game, an away matchup for Desert
View.
Those emotions didn't hinder the Jaguars in any way whatsoever in the Duel in the District, as Desert View took down the Blue Devils 41-12 to win the first El Sol Cup, per Morales. Senior Desmond Dowayee returned the opening kickoff to the house for a 91-yard touchdown and rushed for 78 yards and three more scores on seven carries, according to Sabian Bermudez.
With the win, Desert View improved its record to 6-0. The team has outscored opponents 271-34 this year, and the 12 points allowed to Sunnyside was the most the Jaguars have allowed in a game all year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brother returns from Navy deployment for emotional surprise at Arizona high school football game
