Three players from Southern Arizona — Ironwood Ridge receiver/defensive back Matthew Kroner, Bisbee quarterback/defensive back Sebastian Lopez and Salpointe placekicker/punter Kyah Francone — earned Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions for their performances last week.
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), announced the recipients Wednesday.
Each nominee will be presented his medallion at his respective school this week and is now in the running for the 2024 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player. This year’s recipient will be announced at a special luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 14. For more information on the award or to purchase tickets to the ceremony, please visit azsportsent.com, or call 480.517.9700.
Southern Arizona Ed Doherty Award nominees:
Kyah Francone – senior, place-kicker/punter, Salpointe Catholic
Francone, the AllSportsTucson.com Player of the Week, made two field goals of 51 and 54 yards, was 3 for 3 on his extra-point attempts and averaged 40 yards per punt in his three punts in the Lancers’ 27-23 victory over Centennial. All of his five kickoffs went for touchbacks.
Matthew Kroner – senior, wide receiver/defensive back, Ironwood Ridge
Kroner had eight catches for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 10 tackles (seven solo), in the Nighthawks’ 35-9 win over Douglas.
Sebastian Lopez – senior, quarterback/defensive back, Bisbee
Lopez completed 17 of 27 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown and rushed 12 times for 203 yards and touchdowns. He also had an interception and six tackles in a 26-0 shutout of Catalina.
Marana receiver/defensive back Dezmen Roebuck earned an Ed Doherty Award nomination medallion last week.
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