ArizonaVarsity.com's "Diary of a Season" feature is a chance to follow along with some of the state's most exciting high school football players by getting the story straight from the athlete themselves. Periodically throughout the season, athletes will check in with updates, sharing their triumphs and adversities in their quest for a state championship.

Aaron Owens- QB Maricopa

My name is Aaron Regus Owens. I like to watch movies, and my favorite school subject is Physical Education. I love rap and hip hop music. My favorite college football team is a tie between USC and Cal Berkeley.

I started playing football when I was 7. I played for the Lancaster Jets in California. My favorite football memory was getting my first varsity start, and playing good.

Maricopa went 4-6 last year under our new coaching staff, but the games we lost we came up just short of winning (besides 1 game). My goal is to try and lead this team as far as possible, and leave no regrets going into my senior year. The team goal is that we all want to hold that trophy in the air. I'm looking forward to going to battle one more season with the people that I've played with all 4 years with, and looking to make a difference in Maricopa the football program To do that, I spent the summer working harder in the weight room, and working on technique.

I play for the passion of the game, but also for the man standing right next to me on the field. Everybody in m family is my biggest supporter.

Football means a lot to me. I want to leave Maricopa with records that can't be broken and to be known as one of the best Quarterback to play for the Rams.

This week we play Agua Fria at home. I expect to play a very good game, and as for the rest of my team, we expect to get a win for our teammate (Nate Ford) that just passed away. I hope to see our whole community, family, and his parents at the game.

Nate was a great player and person. He was always positive. Never negative. He was a great leader. Me and Nate have been playing together since we were in 8th grade, and we also played basketball together and won the championship that year.

My favorite moment with him was every time I was down in a game, he always told me "Aaron, let's go, you're better this, kid. I believe in you." #42Strong

Nate Ford's funeral will be on Saturday the 29th, and we're going to honor a great guy.

Last week I paid attention to two games, Long beach Poly at Centennial, and Mountain Pointe at Marcos de Niza. Both games were surprising.

In this week's game, people should pay attention to my teammates, MLB Jackson Stensgard, my brother, WR David Owens, LT Andrew Earle, and DE,RT,TE Johnny Smith.

Saturday's game between Chandler and Bishop Gorman is going to be a great game. I can't wait to see what Chandler does- they have a great team, and so does Bishop Gorman. I have former teammates on that Gorman squad so I'm looking for Chandler to pull the upset, but if Gorman wins I won't be surprised.

Week 2 (Maricopa beats Agua Fria)

It feels good to take the field after working hard with my teammates all summer, trying to reach one goal. There's nothing better than that, and when we run on that field we all know we've got each others backs. We got the win for us, and for Nate and his family. We want to get another win and take things week by week.

I performed really good against Agua Fria. I threw for 537 passing yards and 6 TDs. My best moment was throwing the first touchdown pass to my brother on a deep ball. Besides that I think can work on getting the ball out quicker, and being accurate. After the game I actually went home and went to sleep. I was so tired.

We play Shadow Mountain this week. I expect me and my team to have a better game than we did last week.