RUBENZER DEFINED HIS LEGACY WITH LEADERSHIP

Bordow

TUCSON ears from now, when Luke Rubenzer’s knees ache and his body creaks, his career at Scottsdale Saguaro High School will be measured by numbers.

The two state titles he won as the starting quarterback, as a sophomore in 2011 and as a senior Friday, when Saguaro defeated Queen Creek 47-25 in the Division III title game at Arizona Stadium.

The 130 career touchdown passes, a state record. The 9,648 career passing yards, another state record.

The 61 touchdown passes this year, a third state record, or the 5,444 total yards from the line of scrimmage.

But the statistics, as impressive as they are, can’t come close to measuring the impact Rubenzer had on Saguaro’s football program and the teammates who joyously jumped into his arms after Friday’s victory. He may have been a better leader than he was a quarterback, a player who inspired with his passion and intensity as much as he did his arm and legs.

“An unbelievable competitor.

Y‘‘

The kid just wants to win, and he does whatever it takes to win.” Saguaro coach, on Luke Rubenzer That’s Number 1,” Saguaro coach Jason Mohns said when asked what he would most miss about Rubenzer. “People will talk about his stats, people will talk about his numbers, but he’s a fiery competitor. He’s a leader. That’s the best way to describe the kid.

“The kid just wants to win, and he does whatever it takes to win. He wants to be great, and he’s got an inner drive that I’ve never seen in anybody before.”

Rubenzer’s final game was a fitting end to his career. He completed 19 of 28 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 14 times for 72 yards and another score. His best throw of the night — a 25-yard laser to Cameron Koutsalas in the north end zone — was the pass that set the singleseason record.

Oh, and he also intercepted a pass and punted two times for a 49.5 yard average.

The only Sabercat who had a better night was Mohns, who got on one knee after the game and proposed to his fiancee, Sara Cooper. She said yes. “He got a ring and his girlfriend got one, too,” Rubenzer said. “It’s a great day for both of us.”

It’s hard to imagine now, but there were people who wondered whether Rubenzer would be a worthy successor to quarterback Teddy Ruben, who led Saguaro to a 2010 Class 4A Division I title. Those doubts were quickly put to rest in 2011, when Rubenzer threw for 2,544 yards and 32 touchdowns while leading Saguaro to the Division III title.

Two years later, his place in school and state history is secure.

“It’s the best feeling in the world,” he said. “I can’t even describe it. It’s definitely more meaningful ending my career with the state title.”

Rubenzer, who will play college ball at the University of California, doesn’t look like a great quarterback. He’s listed at 6-foot and 186 pounds, and he’s probably closer to 5-10. But he has a strong and accurate arm, he can make plays with his feet, and his fire is infectious.

Sometimes Rubenzer’s emotions get the best of him — he was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct in the first half — but more often than not they’ve been Sagua- ro’s compass.

“He’s the key to our offense and our team,” said wide receiver/ running back Christian Kirk, who scored four touchdowns (two rushing, two receiving) Friday. “He’s done a remarkable job. He’s everybody’s dream quarterback. I love him. I love him to death.”

After Saguaro posed for team pictures and Mohns proposed to his fiancee and the Gatorade dousing was over, Kirk stood by himself.

He has one more year at Saguaro, a chance to win a third state championship before taking his extraordinary talent to some lucky university.

But he won’t have Rubenzer throwing passes to him or barking at him if he runs an incorrect route. He can’t even imagine what that will be like. Nor does he want to.

“You don’t even know how tough that’s going to be,” Kirk said. “I’m going to miss him so much.”