2024 High School Football

Salpointe’s Spivey, Thatcher’s Bingham & Walden Grove’s Layton earn Doherty Award nominations



Salpointe senoir Nathan Spivey is a threat on offense as a running back and receiver as a slot back, on defense as a safety and on special teams as a punt and kickoff returner (Gilbert Alcaraz/AllSportsTucson.com)

Three players from Southern Arizona — Salpointe senior Nathan Spivey, Thatcher senior Kody Bingham and Walden Grove junior Kaleb Layton — are the latest from this area to earn 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 on Wednesday the Week 8 recipients of the Doherty Award nomination medallions.

The Doherty Award will be presented to the top high school football player in the state in December.

Here is a description of the performances of Spivey, Bingham and Layton:

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.

The nominations of Spivey, Bingham and Layton increases the total to nine players from Southern Arizona who will be considered for the Doherty Award.

This year’s 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 www.azsportsent.com, or call 480-517-9700.

The previous six nominees from Southern Arizona:

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.

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