Austin Gibbs is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication Student assigned to cover Desert Edge High School for AZPreps365.com

GOODYEAR -- Senior Defensive back Antonio Para does more than make big plays for the Desert Edge Scorpions defense. His impact through his energy, leadership, and presence helps set the tone for his team when they go out under the Friday night lights.

“He always is hyping guys up in game, pregame, halftime, and end of game. He’s just a great teammate that works really hard and leads by example by bringing that passionate energy,” said Scorpions Head Coach Henri MacArthur.

Para is racking up the tackles in his senior year, leading the team in total tackles with 92. Para also leads the team in TFL with 20 and is third on the team in sacks with 5.

Antonio Para gets to Canyon View Quarterback Brady Scott on October 3rd, 2025.

“I’m just trying to lead the team and do my best,” Said Para, “I don’t really focus on having a certain amount of whatever each game. I just want to do my best."

In the Scorpion's game against the Kellis Cougars, Para made his presence felt throughout the entire game with two blocked punts and an interception.

“I’m right here, I could block this," Para said. "The next step was just chasing the ball, because as soon as I blocked it, the ball was rolling away from me. So I’m like ‘I gotta really chase it and then try to scoop and score it.’”

Many around Desert Edge know him by another name: Tarzan.

“My dad used to call me it because I started growing out my hair, and my coaches just started calling me Tarzan because you see my hair out of my helmet, and my coach last year, just started calling me it a lot, and then the name just stuck”, Para Said.”

Tarzan isn’t just a nickname. It’s a playstyle that comes out onto the field.

"It's definitely a pregame ritual to bring that out of me,” Para said. “You know, it's the same thing every single game. I gotta get the music right, headphones on, and really just be alone and more isolated before the game. And then, you know, the minute I step on the field, I just gotta, you know, start screaming.”

Para's closest relationship is with Desert Edge defensive back Camren Hamiel. Hamiel and Para are always seen on the field together. Along with being two of the best defenders in the state of Arizona, they have a brother-like bond on and off the field.

Antonio Para and Camren Hamiel talking on the field during halftime before resuming play against Tolleson on October 17th, 2025

“That's my brother, Hamiel said. Ninety percent of the time were at one another's houses. He was the first dude that I met when I transferred out here, and he’s been a great role model.”

With Para being in his senior year, this will be his last season playing for the Scorpions and Para has no plans to end his football career once his senior year is over.

“I'm definitely striving to be at a D1 school, and obviously committing there and going to a good program, and just working and starting from the bottom to the top again, no different than I was when I first went to high school,” Para said. “I know that the shine is going to come eventually, I'm going to be working really hard, and we'll see where I end up, but I know it's going to be somewhere good.”

Desert Edge won the 5A conference championship in 2024. Para described the feeling of what it is going to be like getting back to the postseason once again.

“I'm extremely excited. That's all I've been thinking about all day," said Para. "We're gonna be one of the top teams, for sure, because the way we come out and the way we work hard in the weight room together, the way we condition hard together, the way we plan the field together, it's just all in sync. And you know, I think we're really gonna tear it up in the playoffs. And you know, we're gonna go for that two-peat.”