High school football in the Gila Valley has always been about more than the scoreboard. It’s Friday nights under the lights, entire towns showing up in school colors, and young athletes putting their heart into every snap. This year, four of our own have been recognized among the very best in Arizona, earning a place on a watch list that names them among the top 150 high school football players in the state.
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission recently announced its 2025 Ed Doherty Award Preseason Watch List, and the Gila Valley is represented proudly by Pima’s Keegan Corona, Thatcher’s Chad Johnson and Ryan Jones, and San Carlos’ Brain Valentino. Out of thousands of players across Arizona, only 149 earned this preseason recognition. But it’s important to note — the watch list is just that: a watch list. It doesn’t guarantee anything.
Each week of the season, evaluators look across the entire state for standout performances. Any player, whether they are on the preseason list or not, can earn recognition by delivering an exceptional game. Those athletes are awarded an Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallion — and the medallion is the true golden ticket. Only medallion winners secure an invitation to the exclusive Ed Doherty Awards banquet in December, where the state’s top 10 will be honored and the overall winner will be announced.
Corona, a senior wide receiver for the Roughriders, has become one of the most reliable targets in 2A football. Known for his precise routes and clutch catches, he’s the kind of player who can change a game with one play. Johnson, Thatcher’s senior quarterback, brings poise and command to the Eagles’ offense, while linebacker Ryan Jones anchors the defense with his hard-hitting style and leadership. Valentino, a junior running back for San Carlos, is a dynamic athlete with the speed and toughness to turn heads this fall — a big reason he joins this elite group of preseason honorees.
The Ed Doherty Award, established in 1986, is Arizona’s most prestigious individual honor in high school football. It celebrates more than statistics, recognizing leadership, character, and community impact. For small towns like those in the Gila Valley, having athletes on the watch list is a reflection of the values and hard work woven into local football traditions.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Corona, Johnson, Jones, and Valentino — not just because they’re among Arizona’s top 150 players, but because each week is a new chance to prove themselves. Just being on the list doesn’t punch their ticket; they’ll need the kind of performances that earn a medallion. And whether it’s someone from the Gila Valley or another corner of the state, the race to December is wide open.
