Chico High WR/DB stars in Panthers’ season opening win against Sutter | Prep Athlete of the Week

CHICO — If the Chico High football was going to have to a chance at taking down NorCal powerhouse Sutter, the Panthers knew they’d have to come out fast and score points early.

That’s just what wide receiver Troy Sommer did, as Sommer connected with quarterback Azari Cruz for six catches and two touchdowns in the first half. Sommer finished with seven catches for 84 yards, two touchdowns and a possible game-saving deflection on defense when he was in a one-on-one situation with Sutter’s leading receiver Jordan Lee (7 catches, 142 yards, 2 TDs). Sommer dove and batted a ball away inside the 5-yard line, and the Panthers sealed the victory on the next play.

Due to Sommer’s standout performance, he has been named this week’s Chico Enterprise-Record Prep Athlete of the Week.

“He is very athletic, loves football and works hard during off season,” said Panthers’ head coach Jason Alvistur. “Going into his senior year he has been one of our hardest working kids, consistently participating in all of our off season activities, demonstrating his dedication and really becoming a leader. This team is depending on him to be a two-way starter and make big plays on both sides of the ball. I am really pleased how much he has grown up the last year into one of our top kids, not just physically but as a kid who coaches and teammates can count on and someone who his teammates look up to.”

For Sommer, it wasn’t always football that was his No. 1 sport. Despite being an athlete his entire life, he grew up a basketball player and always thought that was going to be his path. It wasn’t until fourth grade when he started playing football. In eighth grade he decided to fully devote his time to football, realizing his passion for basketball was not what it used to be.

“We were putting so much grind in and having fun and I just lost my love for basketball and gained a love for football,” Sommer said. “It was so real, and I realized I could actually do it. I wanted to focus all my energy on football. I knew what I wanted to do and I had to put my everything and all into it.”

Sommer’s first experience was traveling to Durham with a friend in fourth grade. He got on the team after practice had already started, and was put on the offensive and defensive line. He quickly transitioned to the outside to wide receiver, where he’s been ever since.

In fifth grade he met the Panthers’ quarterback Cruz and running back Dion Coleman. All three players were playing for the Chico Jr. Panthers under Chico High School varsity quarterbacks coach Roger Cruz. By the time the three players teamed up with the Panthers’ current tackle and a captain of this year’s team Travis Dobson, they were blowing teams out and playing some of the toughest teams in the West in Sacramento and Las Vegas.

“That’s when we knew we had a special group and wanted to keep it tight,” Sommer said.

Sommer, along with Coleman and Dobson, are the only three four-year varsity players who Alvistur has coached. Sommer said playing four years on varsity has helped a lot.

“Being at this competition at such a young age it’s nothing new now.”

In the first season Sommer and Cruz played together at the varsity level, Sommer had what many would call his breakout season. He had 23 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns, in addition to 15 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Now, just one game into his senior season, he’s already got two receiving touchdowns.

“Me and Azari hadn’t connected in so long and it felt like we finally got it back right there. Everything came together,” Sommer said about his touchdown catch in the back of the end zone in the second quarter of Friday’s game.

Sommer credits several people for the development of his game to where it is today. Coach Kysean Green and Coach Quinn Riley came to Chico from North Carolina and have been training with both Sommer and Coleman since their sixth grade season.

“I don’t expect anything less from either of them and they both hold themselves to a very high standard,” Green said.

Sommer also credited Panthers’ wide receiver/defensive back coach David Brannon with helping his game the last two seasons and taking it to the next level.

“(Brannon) got here and kind of put everything together and put the final touches on me,” Sommer said. “He elevated my game to where I’m at now. His knowledge on the game, what he has us do and how hard he pushes us has helped a lot.”

As for several things the everyday person may not know about Sommer, he started off by saying his favorite food (by far) is chicken wings. He’s scared to go on roller coasters, but loves water slides. His family is all from the East Coast in New York and Florida. Sommer prays before each game, and locks in on his hype song before every game “First Day Out” by Tee Grizzley ever since it came out in 2017.

“I think high school sports are really everything,” Sommer said. “Being out here being coached and being disciplined shapes us as young men and young individuals in general. It gets us ready for the real world more than any teacher could show us. Having these personal connections and bonds out here with these teammates and coaches is everything.”