Ironwood Ridge RB Nick Brahler. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club announced the winners of the Ed Doherty Award Week 8 Performance Medallions this afternoon. Six players were recognized for outstanding play during their games last week: Ricky Pearsall (Corona del Sol, WR, Jr.), Hendrix Johnson (Boulder Creek, WR, Jr.), Donjae Logan (Desert Ridge, DB, Sr.), Kenny Churchwell (Mountain Pointe, DB, Sr.), Nick Brahler (Ironwood Ridge, RB, Sr.) and Josh Walker (Desert Mountain, WR, Sr.) By earning these medallions, all six players are added to the end of season awards luncheon on December 9 and are officially eligible for the 2017 Ed Doherty Award.
“Week 8 started with Thursday night’s game giving us two medallion winners and then a record-setting performance highlighted excellent games during Friday Night Lights,” stated Selection Committee Co-Chairman Rob Yowell.
“Our committee does such a great job each week and these players don’t make these selections easy. These six young men represent the best of a talented group this week and deserve their official nominations for the Ed Doherty Award.”
Four players named were on the 43-player Watch List (Logan, Churchwell, Brahler & Walker), while Pearsall and Johnson came from the field after receiving consideration in previous weeks. Each player will receive their medallions at an upcoming school event later this week and will join the other medallion winners at the Ed Doherty Award luncheon on December 9.
Ricky Pearsall, Tempe Corona del Sol, WR, 6-1, 175, Jr.
In a 48-34 loss to Gilbert, Pearsall set a 6A single-game receiving record with 342 yards. He did it on 14 catches, five of which went for touchdowns.
Hendrix Johnson, Anthem Boulder Creek, WR, 6-0, 170, Jr.
Johnson, who converted from quarterback to receiver a month ago, caught six passes for 131 yards and four TDs and ran for two more scores in a 41-27 6A win over Glendale Mountain Ridge.
Donjae Logan, Mesa Desert Ridge, DB, 5-11, 170, Sr.
The Stanford commit was the defensive leader for the Jaguars in their 31-20 upset win over Mountain Pointe. Logan helped spark the 2nd half rally with his 4th INT of the season and tallied 9 tackles on the night. He even chipped in with an 11yd reception.
Kenny Churchwell, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, DB, 6-2, 180, Sr.
“Church bells” were ringing all night long in the Pride secondary as the senior safety picked off his first pass of the season as the Mountain Pointe defense collected 4INTs during the game. Churchwell racked up 8 tackles (49 on the season) and had 3 pass defense in the 31-20 loss the Desert Ridge.
Nick Brahler, Ironwood Ridge, 6-0, 185, RB, Sr.
Brahler racked up 194yds on 18 carries and 1TD in Ironwood Ridge’s 35-17 victory over Tucson. On the season, he has 1,239yds and 13 TD for the 6-2 Nighthawks as they make a 5A playoff push.
Josh Walker, Scottsdale Desert Mountain, 6-1, 185, WR, Sr.
Walker was sensational in the Wolves 41-38 back and forth loss to Horizon with 8 receptions for 176yds and 2TDs, including an 80yd scoring grab. He leads the Wolves with 61 catches for 1,028yds and 13TDs.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Rob Yowell (Co-Chairmen)
Ward Hickey (Co-Chairmen)
Ralph Amsden (Arizona Varsity)
Chris Eaton (Gridiron Arizona)
Jason Jewell (24/7 Scout.com)
Kevin McCabe (Arizona Sports 98.7)
Andy Morales (AzPreps365.com/AllSportsTucson.com)
Richard Obert (Arizona Republic)
Rhett Stallworth (Yuma Catholic Administrator)
Jason Skoda (MyNewsMesa.com)
From news release.
FOLLOW @ANDYMORALES8 ON TWITTER!
Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and he was awarded the Ray McNally Award in 2017 and he has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
Recommended for you
