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Zone Read: Skyler Ormita’s Journey to Chandler & Back

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Life can move fast for teenagers.

In an instant, Skyler “Sky” Ormita went from picturesque beaches of sand and surf to vast deserts of scorpions and snakes.

For the Chandler High senior slot receiver and kick returner (well, those are his primary positions…more on that later), the chapters of his last four years may only serve as a preface for what his bright future holds.

The First Move

In one form or another, the COVID pandemic shaped us all.

For the Ormita family, the crossroads presented two paths: stay on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, or uproot for opportunity.

In this case, a football opportunity.

“In Hawaii, football is a big thing over there,” he said to the “Zone Read.” “A lot of talented kids. During COVID, everything was shut down.

“My parents had to make a big decision whether we were going to stay or come to [Arizona].”

The pre-teen transition was difficult for Ormita who admitted, understandably, he wasn’t comfortable in his new surroundings.

“It was a hard transition in the beginning,” he explained. “I was in a shell a little bit. I’m not even going to lie; I wasn’t even sure where some of the states were.

“Everything started to get good for me when I started playing football.”

Multiple Addresses

Once settled in and acclimated to his new surroundings, he began to thrive playing for the Wolves’ feeder team in 2021.

After a successful freshman season at Chandler, he opted to transfer to Pinnacle with five-star quarterback recruit, Dylan Raiola, whose family was close with the Ormita’s.

Before ever suiting up in the fall for the Pioneers, he was on the move again, this time to Hamilton.

Per AIA regulations, the double transfer would require him to miss his entire sophomore season.

The fit at Hamilton wasn’t right, and at the time, neither was Ormita’s mind.

All the confusion and uncertainty from moving to Arizona came rushing back.

“During that time, mentally, I was in a bad place in my life,” he quietly recalled. “I was also injured.”

New Growth Mindset

Ormita found himself at another intersection of uncertainty.

His love for the game, along with his psyche, was fractured.

“I really had to try to understand why I’m doing this,” he said before pausing. “Find my why.

“My why is, every time I play, coming from Hawaii, I take a lot of pride from where I’m from.

“My dad always reminds me before games, ‘Not only play for your family but to represent myself and where I come from.’”

For Ormita, what was “old,” was “new” again.

He transferred back down Arizona Avenue to Chandler and was eligible to play immediately last season because he sat out his entire sophomore year at Hamilton.

He finished the 2024 season with 24 receptions for 225 yards and four touchdowns, despite missing multiple games at the end of the season.

He often takes time for self-reflection now that he’s fully healthy and able to compete again.

“I always think about,” he detailed. “There was a time in [my] high school career where [I] didn’t get to play. I wasn’t able to step on that field and play the game that [I] love.

“It was always a reminder to [me]. This is what [I] wanted.”

Sky(ler) is the Limit

“I was talking to one of my coaches and he was like, ‘Man, if we had 11 Skyler Ormita’s,’” Chandler first-year head coach Ty Wisdom said shaking his head with a wide grin. “The kid can flat out play football.

“He’s a self-less kid…he can play everywhere.”

That self-less, team-first approach was one of the reasons Ormita, who will also play some running back this fall and “wherever my team needs me,” was named a team captain this off-season.

Transforming from essentially an Arizona high school football vagabond into to a high-level leadership role on one of the nation’s top high school programs, is a script made for Hollywood.

“It’s a big achievement,” said Ormita. “It’s all from hard work. I’m a vocal guy, but I like to lead more by example. My teammates see that in me.

“It’s also being like a big brother to some of my teammates. I love to [mentor]. After practice, I get a group of guys and we work on receiver drills, route running, how we get off our releases. Just getting those guys to look up to me and be a role model to them.”

Fit to Be Ty-ed

Not only has Ormita found stability back at Chandler, but he’s also formed a special bond with Wisdom, widely considered one of the more popular, and respected, player’s coaches in Arizona.

“l love Coach Ty,” he said. “What’s he’s been able to do for us here has been [remarkable].

“The first meeting he had with us here he said, ‘This is going to be the last time we talk about championships because, from here on, we’re just going to talk about the steps to get there.’

“That’s what I love about Wiz. He’s all about us. I love that man. He’s done so much for me and this team already.”

Ormita also formed a special bond with Wisdom’s young son Jennings this summer, often taking time away the field to spend with the 7-year-old in between the Wolves’ 7-on-7 games in San Diego.

“Put football aside, he’s an absolutely great kid,” said Wisdom. “Always positive. Always working. Very coachable.

“Once you build that relationship and trust with him, he’s going to run through a wall for you.

“I’m excited to be just a small part of his high school football career and end it the right way at Chandler.”

The post Zone Read: Skyler Ormita’s Journey to Chandler & Back first appeared on Sports360AZ.

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