Rhiannon Boesl is an ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Thunderbird High School for AZPreps365.com 

PHOENIX -- The field lights up, the crowd begins to roar, and it is game time for senior running back Melakye Little.

It was his freshman year when Little first suited up to play football. He evolved quickly and joined the varsity squad the following year. Little’s older brother was the one who inspired him to play. 

“At first, I didn't want to do football. It was really Elijah Little, my brother, that got me into it. He was like some inspiration for me that really wanted me to try it,” Melakye said. 

Little stepped into his brother’s shoes as one of the varsity running backs and is now leading the Titans with a total of 400 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns according to MaxPreps. His younger brother also joins him on the field.

Little is a versatile athlete not limited to offense, but he also makes plays as a defensive back. His speed and concentration make him a powerhouse on the Titan’s lineup.

“It sets him apart from players on our team. He is very aware and very mindful of just like everything around him,” head coach Matt Nalette said. 

Thunderbird has had a prominent football program with a winning percentage of 0.720 for the past four years. This year the Titans started strong with a six-game win streak. In their season opener, Melakye broke loose for 90 yards to help Thunderbird reach the 47-6 victory. 

However, a challenging new region has made it difficult for the Titans to rack up wins.

Regardless of the tough schedule, Little stays focused and shows up for his teammates. To get in the game mindset, Little said he reminds himself of the reason he plays, for the people who got him to where he is today. 

Quarterback J.P. Stewart shares his appreciation for Melakye, “He's a very caring person, you know, the way he puts his body on the line for the team.” 

Stewart notes that Little always plays hard to help his teammates succeed, and no matter the situation, he remains involved in the game, whether that be gaining yards or making blocks. “He's very much of a team player,” Stewart added. 

Football has helped Little grow throughout the years, and watching him develop is Thunderbird’s head coach Matt Nalette. 

“It's been amazing, just seeing the transformation from when he was just like such a shy, quiet, freshman, to see who he is now.
He's really just come out of his shell. He's evolved into becoming a leader of the team,” Nalette said.

Thunderbird will miss Little’s presence next year. 

“He's very mindful. He's self-aware. I think it makes him a really good person, and it's going to make him successful in life, you know, being able to understand others and connect with other people,” Nalette said. 

Little describes the team as a second family, the brotherhood full of people he can depend on. As he wraps up his last football season at Thunderbird, he hopes to make the most of it by embracing the moments with the fellow seniors and his younger brother.