PHOENIX (October 30, 2024) – The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced the recipients of the Week 11 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions, recognizing outstanding performances from Week 10 action.
This week’s nominees include Colton Buckingham* (Sr. QB, Coconino); Eltorna Gant (Sr. QB/DB, Vista Grande); Grant Guidry (Sr. QB, Westview); Brody Hanna (So. LB, Prescott); Beau Jandreau (Jr. LB, Hamilton); Pharis Jenkins (So. RB, Cesar Chavez); Jeremiah Martinez* (Sr. RB, Pima); Jacob Newborn* (Sr. QB, Pusch Ridge); Palmer Podwika (Jr. K, Horizon); Logan Powell* (Sr. OT, Brophy); Fernando Ramirez (Sr. RB, Coconino); Marquis Richardson (Jr. DB, Hamilton); Payton Wales (Jr. OL, Cactus Shadows); Landon Ward+ (Sr. RB/DB, Willcox); Gavin Wyler (So. QB, Benjamin Franklin); and Noble Young-Blackgoat* (Sr. DB/WR, Coconino).
“As we come down the stretch of the 2024 season, regional play continues to bring out the best in our Arizona high school football players,” said Rob Yowell, selection committee co-chair. “The performances these young men are delivering each week have been some of the best we’ve seen in recent years. With the playoffs just two weeks away, we anticipate more great efforts on the gridiron and look forward to following every snap!”
Each nominee will be presented his medallion at his respective school and is now in the running for the 2024 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player. This year’s recipient will be announced at a special luncheon on Saturday, December 14.
*Indicates player was on the pre-season watch list.
Outstanding Performances from Week 11 Medallion Recipients Include:
- Colton Buckingham – Sr. QB, Coconino High School
Buckingham was 8-of-10 in passing for 180 yards and 2 TDs, rushing for 66 yards and 2 TDs on 7 carries, in a 49-12 win over Mingus. - Eltorna Gant – Sr. QB/DB, Vista Grande High School
In a 52-7 win over Mesquite, Gant completed 23-of-30 passes for 484 yards and 3 TDs, adding another 40 yards rushing with 1 TD on 10 carries. Gant also had 3 interceptions, 2 passes broken up and 4 solo tackles. - Grant Guidry – Sr. QB, Westview High School
Guidry was 16-of-22 in passing for 404 yards and 6 TDs in a 50-28 victory over Cibola. - Brody Hanna – So. LB, Prescott High School
Hanna recorded 17 total tackles (5 solo; 2 tackles for a loss) in a 27-17 win over Bradshaw Mountain. - Beau Jandreau – Jr. LB, Hamilton High School
Jandreau had 19 total tackles (4 solo, 3 tackles for a loss) and 1 sack in a 17-7 win over Casteel. - Pharis Jenkins – So. RB, Cesar Chavez High School
In a 41-40 win over Mesa, Jenkins had 235 yards and 2 TDs on 20 carries. - Jeremiah Martinez – Sr. RB, Pima High School
Martinez rushed just 7 times for 173 yards and 3 TDs in a 66-0 shutout of San Carlos. Leads the 2A with 1387 yards and 17 touchdowns. - Jacob Newborn – Sr. QB, Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
In a 22-7 upset of second-ranked (2A) Thatcher, Newborn completed 20-of-28 passes for 315 yards and 3 TDs. - Palmer Podwika – Jr. K, Horizon High School
Podwika kicked a game-winning, 35-yard field goal in a 27-24 win over Higley. He also converted on a personal-best 51-yard field goal, while adding 3 PATs on 3 attempts. - Logan Powell – Sr. OT, Brophy College Preparatory
In a 45-14 victory over Corona del Sol, Powell provided the offensive protection that allowed Broncos’ quarterbacks to throw for 134 yards and 3 TDs, and rushers to gain 180 yards with another 3 TDs. - Fernando Ramirez – Sr. RB, Coconino High School
Ramirez rushed 11 times for 133 yards and 3 TDs in a 49-12 win over Mingus. - Marquis Richardson – Jr. DB, Hamilton High School
In a 17-7 win over Casteel, Richardson recorded 14 tackles (8 solo tackles). - Payton Wales – Jr. OL, Cactus Shadows High School
In the Falcons’ first win over Notre Dame Prep in 10 years, a 28-21 victory, Wales’ leadership on the line resulted in 395 yards in total offense, and 4 TDs. - Landon Ward – Sr. RB/DB, Willcox High School
Ward had 313 yards on 20 carries with 2 TDs, along with 4 solo tackles, in a 39-21 victory over Benson. - Gavin Wyler – So. QB, Benjamin Franklin High School
Wyler completed 8 of just 10 pass attempts for 318 yards and 3 TDs in a 42-7 win over Gilbert Christian. - Noble Young-Blackgoat – Sr. DB/WR, Coconino High School
Young-Blackgoat had 5 catches for 161 yards in a 49-12 win over Mingus.
About the Ed Doherty Award
Since its inception in 1986, the Ed Doherty Award has served as the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor, annually recognizing the most outstanding player on and off the field. Recipients are selected for demonstrating remarkable ability combined with diligence, perseverance, hard work, and integrity in their pursuit of excellence, while also celebrating a commitment to academics, community, and school pride.
About the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is Arizona’s leading advocate for high school football, dedicated to recognizing the state’s top student-athletes. The club presents the prestigious Ed Doherty Award to the most outstanding boys’ prep football player at the end of each season and recently introduced the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, to be given annually to the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Through these initiatives, the club celebrates athletic, academic, and leadership achievements, promoting Arizona’s rich football tradition on a national stage.
About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) is a non-profit organization created in 1988. The commission collaborates with hundreds of partners to help fulfill the mission of bringing national and international sporting events to the state; assisting in the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams; providing volunteer recruitment and organization for large-scale sporting events; and developing youth sports programs. In 2009, it assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2012, the Grand Canyon State Games and the Lori Piestewa National Native American Games. The ASEC was the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl.