Omar Tafoya scored and so did Highland High and Cesar Chavez after giving Tafoya a memorable moment. 

Tafoya is a special needs student at Highland as well as the school's equipment manager. On Wednesday, Highland and Cesar Chavez allowed Tafoya to score a touchdown during a scrimmage game. Highland recorded the moment. 

Click here to watch the video of Tafoya scoring. 

8/20/14

Make way for Omar Tafoya.

As the school’s equipment manager, the Gilbert Highland senior looks out for his fellow student athletes. But those student athletes will return the favor Tuesday (8-20-14).

They’ll give Tafoya, a special needs student at Highland, one of the greatest gifts he’s ever received — a pathway to score a touchdown during a game. Highland athletic director Rod Huston got the ball rolling to allow Tafoya to score in a game after contacting Tafoya’s guardian and Cesar Chavez assistant football coach George Medrano.

Huston and Medrano used to teach special education when they were at Desert Vista. Huston asked Medrano if he could help give Tafoya a lasting memory during today’s 6 p.m. home scrimmage against Cesar Chavez.

After Cesar Chavez and the Arizona Interscholastic Association cleared Tafoya to play, all that’s left is the big moment.  

is travelling to Highland today to scrimmage at 6 p.m.

After Cesar Chavez and the Arizona Interscholastic Association cleared Tafoya to play, all that remains is Tafoya’s big moment. It might happen during the scrimmage or after each team runs its allotted amount of plays.

“Omar calls himself our school’s lucky charm,” Huston said. “He’s just a happy-go-lucky kid who love athletics and know every athlete.” 

                                  (Highland will give its equipment manager, Omar Tafoya, another reason to smile Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Highland High.)