The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), announced on Thursday the Week 12 recipients of the Ed Doherty Award nomination medallions.
Three of them are seniors from Southern Arizona — Buena running back Andres Bonilla (the APS Digital Print/Frog & Firkin’ Player of the Week), Walden Grove running back/linebacker Carlos Montoya Jr., and Safford defensive end Xavier Owens.
Here is a description of what each did last week:
Andres Bonilla — RB, Buena, Sr.
In a 32-15 win over Cienega, Bonilla had 18 carries for 225 yards with a touchdown. He currently ranks 19th in the state with 1,199 rushing yards on the season.
Carlos Montoya Jr. — RB/LB, Walden Grove, Sr.
Montoya, Jr., had 13 total tackles (five solo), 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 10 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown in a 37-21 win over Canyon del Oro. He has 35 tackles for a loss on the season.
Xavier Owens — DE, Safford, Sr.
Owens finished the regular season fourth in the state at all levels with 13 sacks.
This year’s Doherty Award recipient will be announced at a special luncheon in Phoenix 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.
The previous nominees from Southern Arizona:
Week 11
Colten Meyer — QB, Marana, Jr.
Meyer broke Marana’s season passing yards record when he completed 26 of 30 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-12 win over Desert View. The Tigers’ top three in passing yards in a season:
- Colten Meyer — 3,330 yards this season
- Elijah Joplin — 2,987 yards in 2022
- Trenton Bourguet — 2,984 in 2017
Cash Dickey — WR/DB, Canyon del Oro, Jr.
In a 25-8 win over Sahuaro, Dickey had four catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns, with six solo tackles (seven total) and one pass breakup.
Remington Todd — RB/LB, Willcox, Sr.
In a 62-0 shutout of Catalina, Todd had four carries for 79 yards and three TDs, along with two interceptions.
Week 10
Jacob Newborn — QB, Pusch Ridge, Sr.
In a 22-7 upset on the road of then-No. 1 2A school Thatcher, Newborn completed 20-of-28 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
Landon Ward – RB/DB, Willcox, Sr.
Ward had 313 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns, along with four solo tackles, in a 39-21 victory over Benson.
Week 9
Cedar Haynie — RB/LB, St. David, Jr.
In a 66-14 win over Desert Christian, Haynie had 156 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also
recorded two kickoff returns for 125 yards and 10 total tackles (including two for a loss).
Week 8
Nathan Spivey — SS/ATH, Salpointe Catholic, Sr.
In a 43-14 win over Corona del Sol, Spivey had a 54-yard punt return for a TD and a 77-yard
kickoff return for another score. He also rushed five times for 32 yards and had five tackles.
Kody Bingham – RB/DB, Thatcher, Sr.
In a 41-12 win over defending 3A state champion Sabino, Bingham rushed for 177 yards on 10
carries with four touchdowns. He also recorded six total tackles (four solo).
Kaleb Layton – QB, Walden Grove, Jr.
Layton was 22-of-26 in passing for 452 yards and six touchdowns in a 72-27 win over Sahuaro.
Week 7
Nash Moore — QB, Buena, Sr.
Moore had a 264-yard, six-touchdown performance in a 66-42 win at Casa Grande. He completed 16 of 21 pass attempts.
Week 6
Jimmy Leon – TE/DE, Mica Mountain, Sr.
Leon caught two touchdown passes, adding three sacks along with a forced fumble, in the Thunderbolts’ 41-7 win over Casa Grande.
Week 5
Kyah Francone – PK/P, Salpointe Catholic, Sr.
Francone hit two field goals of 51 and 50 yards, added three extra points on three attempts and averaged 40 yards per punt in the Lancers’ 27-23 victory over Centennial.
Matthew Kroner – WR/DB, Ironwood Ridge, Sr.
Kroner had eight catches for 214 yards and three touchdowns, along with 10 total tackles (seven solo), in the Nighthawks’ 35-9 win over Douglas.
Sebastian Lopez – QB/DB, Bisbee, Sr.
Lopez completed 17 of 27 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown, rushed 12 times for 203 yards and three touchdowns, while adding an interception and six total tackles in a 26-0 shutout of Catalina.
Week 4
Dezmen Roebuck – WR/S, Marana, Sr.
Roebuck had 10 catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-28 win over two-time defending 5A champion Higley, setting a state record for career catches with 288.
The Ed Doherty Award nominations started in Week 3.
Recommended for you
