GLENDALE — The injuries began piling up for Glendale running back Gevork Papazayan.
Concussions and a lingering upper body injury took away the power and explosiveness he once had. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry when healthy in 2024 but in 2025 a series of injuries forced him to hang up his helmet and cleats his senior season.
It was time to give his younger brother Arman a shot to carry the ball. Arman was a sophomore at the time and stood 5-foot-4 and a hair above 140 pounds.
But Arman had mentally and physically prepared himself for the opportunity. He was a little quicker than his brother and he relied on his footwork and evasiveness as opposed to being the smashing boulder his older sibling had been.
“Once I got the opportunity, I just blew up,” Arman said.
Papazyan rushed for 1,063 yards, scored 13 touchdowns and became Glendale’s quiet leader.
“He was just a hard worker,” Glendale coach Manuel Lemus said. “He’s fast and part of three other kids who should run track because they can smoke people.”
Papazyan saw potential in himself after his breakout season, even if coaches in the Pacific League didn’t notice because of Glendale’s 2-8 record.
“I have really high goals for myself,” Papazyan said. “I’m trying to play Division I (college) football, and I have to work hard for it. I can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen. I have to put in the work to get to that level.”
He hit the weight room hard and put on 40 pounds of muscle through a strict protein-based diet. He also cut out junk food.
Pazayan gives credit to his mom, Elizabeth. There was nothing fancy about the food she made for him. Just chicken and rice with a light seasoning of salt and pepper.
“She makes everything I need,” Papazyan said. “Salmon, pasta, chicken, rice. I’ve had really great support from her and my whole family.”
Papazyan believes he’s capable of doing more on the football field this season. His hands have improved and he expects to be targeted more on passes. He’ll also be returning kickoffs and punts.
“His speed is constant, and it doesn’t die down,” Lemus said. “He’s going full speed the whole time, and he doesn’t lose his speed inside the gaps or outside. He’s got one speed, and that’s what makes him special.”
Papazyan hopes to feature his skills as a pass blocker as well, as he enjoys being the final line of protection for the quarterback, often taking on multiple pass rushers.
“The sky is the limit,” Lemus said. “He is a little bit undersized to play at the next level, but he’s caught the ball for us a lot this summer. He can play slot if we need him to.”
Lemus has also noticed the leadership style inherent in Papazyan.
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“He’s never the loudest, just very even-keeled every day,” Lemus said. “He’s never too high, never too low, and he’s constantly bringing it.”
Papazyan found his self-belief and could be the key igniter for the Dynamiters who are hoping to rebound and put together their first winning record since 2008 under Rafik Thorossian.
“Speed is what I’m known for, and I think I’m also one of the strongest,” Papazyan said. “I’ve always had it in me.”