Who is Gunner Brewer? Desert Ridge High School quarterback dismissed from team for changing play, 12 teammates suspended for supporting him

Gunner Brewer, a quarterback for the Desert Ridge High School football team in Arizona has revealed that he was dismissed from the team. Brewer was dismissed for calling an audible and changing the play which led to the dispute.

Brewer also claimed that 12 of his teammates who disagreed with the decision in front of coaches were suspended. The 12 players have reportedly been suspended for the rest of the season. The decision has led to mounting criticism over Brewer’s suspension.

The former quarterback told KTVK 3TV that the team’s head coach Miles Smith asked to speak with him after the game. According to Brewer, Smith told him that he had disrespected the head coach and was kicked off the team. Since his suspension, Smith had only been in contact with Brewer’s mother. On a game day Brewer said he was told not to be around the team.


“The only word he said to me was when I tried to go help out last week’s game…he told me to get out,” Brewer told the Arizona news channel. He added that Smith asked him not to go near the field house or near the players.

Brewer returned to support team on October 15, media was denied access

Amid the dispute, Brewer returned from suspension to support his team on October 15. Media persons, including an Arizona Republic reporter and photographer were turned away by the high school’s athletic director Kevin Swann. Swann said he was acting under directions from Gilbert Public Schools.

Despite the suspension, Brewer remained present at the game. He spoke to reporters outside the stadium. Brewer said, “I cannot give up on my brother, I want to support my brothers.”

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Why was the quarterback suspended?

The Desert Ridge High School has not disclosed any disciplinary issues behind Brewer’s dismissal. Brewer said he had been late to a meeting earlier this season, due to some issues with his car and sat out a quarter. He told reporters that the dismissal felt extreme.

During the game he was dismissed after, Brewer said he wanted his running back to carry the ball and get a first down to win them the game. Brewer said his play worked out. He also said that he had not been told that he could not change a call.

The former quarterback said that he had been allowed to change the play at the line under the previous offensive coordinator, who was fired at the end of September.

Speaking to reporters Brewer said, “Basically called the play, trusted my running back behind me who scored a touchdown…Definately was rolling with him”. He added that the play was originally called for him but he wanted the running back to seal the game for the team.

Who is Gunner Brewer?

Gunner Brewer is a senior at the Desert Ridge High School in Arizona. He played for the school’s football team as the quarterback before being dismissed. Brewer wore a jersey with number 2 during games. He won the ‘Player of the Game’ award twice, one in August 2026 and the other in November, 2024. According to his stats on high school football website, Maxpreps, Brewer has 1,589 yards and 12 touchdown passes.

This comes amid another high school football drama as Marist Catholic High in Oregon fired their head coach Zach Loboy. He was fired for running up the score after calling for two onside kicks in the first half, according to Bleacher Report. The team was playing against Cottage Grove High.