Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club Celebrating the boys and girls whose excellence, leadership and perseverance elevate Arizona high school football.
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.
Ten Arizona high school football standouts earned Week 7 Ed Doherty Award Medallions. Each recipient is now qualified for the final award pool, with new winners recognized every week.
The current week’s recipients are featured here. Earlier weekly results remain available in the News archive, and a medallion is required to qualify for either statewide award.
Meet the 75 players to watch across the 3A through 6A divisions. Weekly medallion announcements begin October 15 and continue through November 12.
How qualification works: Weekly voting determines the medallion winners, and only medallion winners move into the qualified award pool. The original watch list and prior weekly results remain available in the News archive.
The Ed Doherty Award has entered weekly medallion voting, and the girls’ Week 3 Watch List is now available.
The season watch list and earlier weekly results are archived in News. Week 7 medallion winners have entered the qualified award pool.
The opening list identified 105 players to watch. The full release remains available in the News archive.
The Week 7 medallion winners were announced October 7. New winners will be recognized weekly through November 11.
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.
The Week 3 Watch List recognizes 75 Arizona girls flag-football players. Weekly medallions begin October 15.
The statewide list identifies 75 players across the 3A through 6A divisions to follow as the 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.
