Jordan Porter (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club announced the winners of the Ed Doherty Award Week 4 Performance Medallions Tuesday afternoon. Five players were recognized for outstanding play during their games last week: Zidane Thomas (Centennial, RB, Sr.), Tyler Shough (Hamilton, QB, Sr.), Jack Plummer (Gilbert, QB, Sr.), Jordan Porter (Cholla, QB, Sr.) and Akubar Abdi (Camelback, RB, Sr.). By earning these medallions, all five players are added to the end of season awards luncheon on December 9 and are officially eligible for the Ed Doherty Award.
“Week 4 showed us that the top players on the Watch List continue to shine, but we also had several winners came from outside that group,” stated Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club Selection Committee Co-Chair Ward Hickey.
“Zidane Thomas was a unanimous selection this week, but at least a dozen players were debated by our selection committee for the other medallion awards. These five young men proved worthy and earned their official nomination for the Ed Doherty Award.”
Three players named were on the 43-player Watch List (Thomas, Shough and Plummer), but Porter and Abdi are the first players not on the list to receive this recognition. Each player will receive their medallions at an upcoming school event later this week and will join other medallion winners at the Ed Doherty Award luncheon on December 9.
Zidane Thomas, Peoria Centennial, RB, 5-10, 205, Sr.
The Boise State commit ran 28 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns, leading Centennial to a 23-20 victory over Phoenix Pinnacle. He has 781 yards, averaging 12.6 yards a carry.
Abukar Abdi, Phoenix Camelback, RB, 5-7, 165, Sr.
In a 33-27 win over Phoenix Alhambra, Abdi carried 32 times for 315 yards and four TDs. It was his third consecutive game rushing for more than 100 yards.
Tyler Shough, Chandler Hamilton, QB, 6-5, 195, Sr.
With star running back Jawhar Jordan having to leave the game with an injury, Shough went to work, passing for 293 yards and three TDs, completing 13 of 22 passes in a 59-12 6A rout of Laveen Cesar Chavez.
Jordan Porter, Tucson Cholla, QB, 5-10, 178, Sr.
In a 62-23 win over Palo Verde, Porter accounted for 8 TDs (5 pass/3 rush), 267yds passing and 202yds rushing. Through 5 games, Porter’s stats for Cholla (3-2) are staggering: 1,636yds passing 18TD/8INT; 877yds rushing 14TD, 62yds KO return.
Jack Plummer, Gilbert, QB, 6-5, 200, Sr.
The Purdue commit connected for 256yds passing and 4TDs in the Tigers’ 41-7 victory over Westwood. After 4 games this season, Plummer has 15 TD passes and no interceptions.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
Rob Yowell (Co-Chairmen)
Ward Hickey (Co-Chairmen)
Ralph Amsden (Arizona Varsity)
Chris Eaton (Gridiron Arizona)
Jason Jewell (24/7 Scout.com)
Andy Morales (AzPreps365.com/AllSportsTucson.com)
Richard Obert (Arizona Republic)
Rhett Stallworth (Yuma Catholic Administrator)
Jason Skoda (MyNewsMesa.com)
From news release.
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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
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