This week Deer Valley High School and the greater Skyhawk community are grieving the loss of one of their own.
Baxter Floyd, who began his junior year at the Glendale school, died at age 16 on Aug. 10.
The Deer Valley Unified School District communications department released a statement on Aug. 12.
"DVUSD and the Deer Valley High School community ask for privacy as they grieve the loss of a member of their community. Support is available for students and staff during this difficult time," the district statement reads.
On Aug. 11 dv_skyhawksfootball on Instagram posted a tribute to Floyd. He played two games for the Deer Valley varsity team in 2025.
"Baxter was more than a teammate and more than #33. He was a son, a friend, a brother, a Skyhawk, and a part of this football family. His presence, his smile, his spirit, and the memories he created with his teammates will forever be carried in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him," the post reads in part.
In the post the team also mentions that as it learns more about the Floyd family's needs, it will share them on its page.
Richard Smith Senior News Editor | Glendale & West Valley Preps
Richard Smith has been with Independent Newsmedia since 2016, and worked at a Sun City-based news outfit covering the Northwest Valley for 22 consecutive years.
An NAU alum and lifelong Arizona resident, Richard began as a copy editor and page designer at Surprise Today and the Daily News-Sun, then rekindled his love of sports writing by taking the reins on West Valley Preps in 2008.
For most of the mid-2010s he was the Surprise editor and West Valley Preps reporter. Now he’s the West Valley Preps Editor and Surprise Associate Editor.
As COVID restrictions slowly lift, Richard is cautiously optimistic he will visit book stores, football fields and gyms again this fall.
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here