Glendale football was best known for their air raid. When Frank Tristan took over in 2024, it was the first time in years that the Falcons had a kept things on the ground with a running back.
Tristan’s quarterback, senior Cash Newberry, had to adjust to the change just as much as the running backs and now he gets to do it in his third and final season starting for Glendale.
What most people don’t see about Newberry is that he excels in the classroom. He might even have a higher IQ on the football field.
“Super cerebral, probably the most I’ve had as a cerebral quarterback,” Tristan said. “I think if I can coach that well he might be one of the best I’ve ever coached and I’ve had a couple really good ones.”
He can face challenges like in the Falcons’ fourth quarter comeback victory against Ozark.
“Going for the [two-point conversion] to win the game,” Newberry said. “We have to get it to win or we don’t and we lose. That is probably my favorite.”
The starting quarterback is one to also accept change.
“Installing the run game under coach Tristan has been a real help taking the pressure off of me,” Newberry said. “Making my job a little easier. Getting the ball to some other guys up front.”
“He’s so hard on himself, he’s the first one to say ‘oh my goodness that was not it’,” Tristan said. “I remember one he threw one out of bounds and I always say ‘hey give him a shot’ and he comes off the field and he’s like ‘give him a shot’.”
So when the pass game isn’t working, Newberry runs with Coach Tristan’s new offensive style, literally.
“He has exceeded expectations,” Tristan said. “I was obviously going to run the ball a little bit more. He has really developed into a good running back just as much as a quarterback. So I’ve been super proud of him.”
Newberry’s legs are a weapon just as much as his arm, but he would say the whole team is an arsenal.
“I got guys to lean on,” Newberry said. “I know my line is going to do their job. And the receiver is going to be where they are supposed to be. I know my running back is going to block. So it’s really that team. I got people to lean on and it makes it really easy on me.”
