02/03/2026
We are so excited to officially share some BIG news following our parent meeting on Sunday — news that represents an incredible opportunity for our athletes and our entire organization.
As discussed, the Tigers will not be participating in Pop Warner this season. Instead, we will be moving forward in the AZYFl league, which opens the door to something truly special.
We were approached with an amazing opportunity. After thoughtful conversations and meetings, we are thrilled to announce that we are moving forward with this partnership.
That means an exciting new chapter for our team:
-🔥 We will now be the JR PUMAS
-Team colors: Navy Blue, Cardinal Red, and White
-🏈 Official feeder program for Perry High School
- League rule: boys will need to be 12 before July 1st
As part of this opportunity, we met with our new organization president, Rod Rivera, who will be partnering closely with Coach Jeremy Hathcock, a highly respected high school coach with a remarkable track record. We want to take a moment to introduce both of them so you can see the strength behind this program.
Meet Rod Rivera – Organization President
Rod has been coaching football for the past 12 years. He began his career at Desert Ridge High School, starting as the freshman linebackers coach, then becoming the defensive coordinator, and later the JV offensive coordinator. After nine years at Desert Ridge, Rod chose to focus on coaching his son as he began his football journey. Since then, Rod has coached two seasons of flag football and five seasons of tackle football.
Rod’s passion is developing young athletes into strong young men, teaching them the game the right way, and always advocating for the kids in this program as if they were his own. He is deeply committed to this organization and welcomes any questions from families.
Meet Coach Jeremy Hathcock
Coach Hathcock brings an incredible amount of experience and success to our program. He began his head coaching career in Show Low in 2002 and won a state championship in 2003.
From 2006–2020, he served as head coach at Desert Ridge High School, leading the program to two state championship appearances and maintaining a winning record every season.
He later returned to his alma mater, Blue Ridge High School, before becoming head coach at Verrado High School in 2024 and then Mesa High School in 2025, where he led the team to the playoffs. Coach Hathcock holds an impressive 179–90 career record in Arizona and is widely respected for developing competitive, disciplined, and well-prepared athletes.
Practice Location Update
Practices will now be held at Perry High School, giving our athletes the incredible benefit of training in a true high school football environment — with access to top-tier facilities and resources.
More details are coming soon, including:
• Registration information
• League details
• Sponsorship and donation opportunities
• Fundraisers
• New Puma swag and spirit wear
We are beyond excited about the competition ahead and about preparing these boys for high school football the right way — with structure, discipline, and pride.
Thank you for your continued support and trust as we step into this exciting new chapter. We truly believe this move sets our athletes up for long-term success both on and off the field.
Let’s go JR PUMAS 🐾💪
