Mica Mountain coach Pat Nugent, who experienced his first state championship in his 22 years as a high school head coach last week, is the Arizona Cardinals/Circle K Coach of the Year..
The Cardinals announced the player of the year and coach of the year selections Tuesday morning in a press release.
The selections:
COACH OF THE YEAR: Pat Nugent, Mica Mountain
PLAYER/OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: QB Tait Reynolds, Queen Creek
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: LB Rocky Stallworth, Yuma Catholic
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: KR/PR Jamar Beal-Goines, Desert Edge
Nugent coached the Thunderbolts to a 42-13 win over Chandler AZ College Prep in the 4A state championship game, finishing the season with a perfect 14-0 record. He is 172-66 in his 22 years at the high school level, including stops at Flowing Wells, Canyon del Oro, Cienega and Mica Mountain.
Nugent and the players will be introduced Sunday at the Cardinals-New England Patriots game at State Farm Stadium. They will be joined by all of the Cardinals and Circle K High School Players and Coaches of the Week from the 2024 season.
Nugent will be honored with $4,000 to support the Thunderbolts’ football program and a trophy to commemorate the award.
Notable winners of the Cardinals High School Player of the Week award from the past include Falcons RB Bijan Robinson (2019) of Salpointe Catholic, 49ers QB Brock Purdy (2017-18), Vikings CB Byron Murphy (2015), former Rams QB Bryce Perkins (2014) and former Cardinals RB D.J. Foster (2011).
Reynolds from Queen Creek completed 156 of 252 passes (61.9 percent) for 2,238 yards and 22 touchdowns while also running for 1,426 yards and 19 touchdowns on 137 carries. Reynolds led the Bulldogs to the 6A state semifinals.
Stallworth finished the season with 201 tackles (117 solo), 10 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, one interception for 63 yards, four passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Beal-Goines had 360 yards on eight kickoff returns (45.0-yard average) and two touchdowns while also returning 11 punts for 292 yards (26.5-yard average) and one touchdown.
Each player winner will receive a customized jersey and glass trophy.
The awards were selected by a local sports panel consisting of former high school football coach Kelly Epley, Arizona’s Family sports anchor Julia Lopez, former 12 News sports anchor Bruce Cooper, Cardinals Community Relations Director Horace Raymond, Arizona Republic/azcentral.com high school writer Richard Obert and Circle K Merchandising Manager Mitchell Miranda.
A list of all the Cardinals and Circle K High School Coach and Player of the Week winners from this season:
2024 Player of the Week Winners:
Week 1: QB Jaxon Knutson, Tempe McClintock
Week 2: LB Bastian Vanden Bosch, Phoenix Brophy Prep
Week 3: QB Hayden Fletcher, Peoria Liberty
Week 4: LB Apaita Tengei, Mesa Westwood HS
Week 5: QB/S Uriah Tenette, Prescott
Week 6: RB Dylan Hayhurst, Phoenix Goldwater
Week 7: QB Bryce Herges, Scottsdale Desert Mountain
Week 8: RB Reese Bodily Sr., Mesa Mountain View
Week 9: QB/CB Eltorna Gant, Casa Grande Vista Grande
Week 10: WR Cooper Perry, Phoenix Notre Dame Prep
2024 Coach of the Week Winners
Week 1: Travis Dixon, Chandler Hamilton
Week 2: Travis Schureman, Queen Creek
Week 3: Brian Belles, Glendale Cactus
Week 4: Rick Benjamin, Scottsdale Coronado
Week 5: Brock Farrel, Gilbert Highland
Week 6: Kyle Enders, Mesa Red Mountain
Week 7: Dr. Robert Newcombe, Queen Creek Casteel
Week 8: Tyson Ditmore, Scottsdale Horizon
Week 9: Travis Schureman, Queen Creek
Week 10: Ryan Freeman, Gilbert Campo Verde
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