Marana QB Connor Leavens not letting up after father's sudden death

Connor Leavens came into this football season with a chip on his shoulder after narrowly missing out on a trip to the state playoffs last fall.

Now Marana’s senior quarterback will be playing with a heavy heart as well.

Todd Leavens, Connor’s father, died Wednesday, after a lengthy battle with substance abuse. He was 53.

“Singlehandedly, I would say that my father was the most influential person in my life up to this point,” Connor said. “I wouldn’t be the man, the athlete or the football player that I am without his guidance and his leadership.

“He was my best friend, there’s nothing else to really put it into simpler words.”

His father also left behind his 46-year-old wife Shara and daughter McKenna, a junior at Marana High School with her brother. Services are planned for Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. at Casas Church, 10801 N. La Cholla Blvd. Click here to make a donation to the family.

Connor was still in shock Thursday night, trying to process everything that came about very suddenly. But the 6-foot-1-inch, 170-pound signal caller didn’t have to think long about whether he’d play on this week, as the Tigers host San Tan Valley Poston Butte.

“I feel like it would almost be disrespectful not to play,” Connor said. “Football is the one thing that swore us inseparable since I can remember. The love I have for the game is because of him and he’s been at least 60 percent of my drive and my motivation to do all these things and make him proud.”

Connor said his father introduced him to football at age four and spent a decade coaching him. One of Connor’s best memories came six years ago, when the father-son duo led the Marana Broncos to a city championship.

“All I can remember is, after we won, I just took a big ol’ sprint over to him,” Connor said. “He just said, ‘I’m so proud of everything you’re becoming and I can’t wait to see where this game takes you.’”

Connor has been one of Tucson’s premier passers over the last few seasons and he has Marana on the verge of its first state playoff appearance since 2007. In 22 games, he has completed 236 of 399 passes for 3,257 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Most recently, Connor put together a perfect game last week, completing 6 of 6 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns in a 63-14 win against Cholla.

The Tigers have won five straight games since opening the season with a pair of road losses, to Ironwood Ridge and Cienega. Another victory Friday night would pull them within one game of capturing the 5A Sonoran regional crown.

Even though his father won’t physically be there, Connor is sure he’ll be present in spirit.

“I’m very excited to play because now he’s got the best seat in the house,” Connor said. “I know that every game I play from here, he will be there with me on the field and help me through any adversity I go through.”