Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club Celebrating the players whose excellence, leadership and perseverance elevate Arizona high school football.
Co-Chairs Mark Earle and Rob Yowell with award winner Navi Bruzon 
Co-Chair · Former College and Arizona High School Coach
Few coaches have shaped Arizona football at as many levels as Charlie Ragle. During five seasons as Chaparral High School’s head coach, he compiled a remarkable 63–7 record and led the Firebirds to three consecutive state championships from 2009 through 2011.
His college career included leadership roles at Arizona, California, Idaho State and Arizona State, bringing more than a decade of major-college coaching experience to the committee. In 2025, the National Football Foundation’s Valley of the Sun Chapter honored him with the 2024 Frank Kush Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring commitment to coaching and amateur football.
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is proud to welcome his championship experience, credibility and lifelong commitment to Arizona football.
Welcome to the official website of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club, a proud brand of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission. Here, we honor the exceptional athletes who embody the excellence, leadership and perseverance that define Arizona high school football.
Our flagship honor celebrates Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player. Named in honor of Coach Ed Doherty, it recognizes athletic performance and the character, dedication and commitment that define true champions.
Arizona’s top female flag football player is recognized for the determination, skill, leadership and passion driving the continued growth of girls flag football across the state.
As part of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission, the Gridiron Club is dedicated to building a lasting legacy of excellence, sportsmanship and integrity in Arizona high school athletics.
Meet the Gridiron Club →Meet the student-athletes who set the standard in tackle and flag football across the state.
Established 1987 The club’s flagship honor celebrates Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player and the values embodied by Coach Ed Doherty.
Established 2024 Recognizing the state’s top female flag football player and the talent, leadership and momentum shaping one of Arizona’s fastest-growing sports.
The Week 3 watch list identifies 105 players to follow from the 2A through 6A conferences. Each week, exceptional performances are recognized with medallions. A player must earn a medallion to qualify for the final Ed Doherty Award pool.
Every athlete who earns a weekly medallion will be added here. A medallion is required to qualify for either statewide award.
New winners announced weekly through November 11. Return here each week for the complete running list.
New winners announced weekly through November 12. Return here each week for the complete running list.
How qualification works: The Week 3 lists identify players to watch. Weekly voting determines the medallion winners, and only medallion winners move into the qualified award pool.
Both programs begin with players to watch. Weekly medallion winners then qualify for consideration for each statewide award.
Arizona tackle-football players advance from the Week 3 Watch List through weekly medallions and finalist releases.
The season begins with 105 players to watch from the 2A through 6A conferences.
Nine weekly announcements recognize standout performances. A player must earn a medallion to qualify for the award pool.
The complete medallion list is followed by the Top 50, Top 25 and Top 10 releases.
The season concludes as Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player receives the Ed Doherty Award.
Arizona girls flag-football players follow the same path from a Week 3 Watch List to weekly medallions and the final award pool.
The statewide list identifies the players to follow as the flag-football season develops.
Five weekly announcements recognize standout performances. A player must earn a medallion to qualify for the award pool.
The weekly medallion winners become the qualified candidates for Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year.
Final award details will be posted when the public announcement date is confirmed.
Connect with the Gridiron Club about news, award information, media and partnership opportunities.