Watch list
Players across Arizona are identified as athletes to watch as the season begins.
The flagship honor
The Ed Doherty Award
Celebrating Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player—and the character, dedication and leadership of a true champion.
The man behind the award
Who Was Ed Doherty?
Edward A. “Ed” Doherty (1918–2000) became one of the defining figures in Arizona football—a college head coach, championship high school coach, athletic director and mentor whose influence still reaches today’s players.
Doherty remains the only person to serve as head football coach at both Arizona State and the University of Arizona. He led the Sun Devils from 1947 to 1950, including consecutive Salad Bowl appearances, and later guided the Wildcats during the 1957 and 1958 seasons.
His greatest Arizona legacy was built with young athletes. Across 12 seasons at Phoenix St. Mary’s and Tucson’s Salpointe Catholic, his teams made nine playoff appearances, won four division titles and captured two state championships. St. Mary’s reached three consecutive title games under Doherty and won championships in 1967 and 1968. He later coached Salpointe to the 1981 big-school championship game and continued serving the school as athletic director.
Known for directing practice with his signature megaphone, Doherty taught preparation, discipline and the importance of finishing together. Salpointe named its stadium for him in 1991, and generations of Arizona players and coaches continue to learn the standard he established.
His honors include induction into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 1983, the ASU Sports Hall of Distinction, the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992 and the inaugural Arizona Football Coaches Hall of Fame class in 2019. First presented in 1987, the Ed Doherty Award carries forward his belief that excellence is measured by performance, leadership, character and commitment.
12Seasons coaching Arizona high schools
9Arizona high school playoff appearances
4Division titles
2State championships
About the award
A standard that extends beyond the field.
The Ed Doherty Award stands as a beacon of excellence in Arizona high school football, honoring the state’s most outstanding athletes who embody commitment, leadership and perseverance.
Established in memory of Coach Ed Doherty, a revered coach whose influence on the game and its players transcended the field, the award celebrates exceptional performance as well as the character and dedication that define true champions.
The road to the award
Watch. Earn. Qualify.
The Week 3 watch list starts the conversation. Weekly medallions determine who advances into the official award pool.
Weekly medallions
The Selection Committee recognizes exceptional weekly performances with award medallions.
Award qualification
Only medallion winners qualify for the final pool from which the top honoree is selected.
The Doherty standard
Performance. Character. Impact.
The award recognizes the complete student-athlete and the positive influence they bring to their team and community.
Exceptional play
Consistent, high-level performance across the Arizona high school football season.
Team leadership
The ability to elevate teammates, meet big moments and lead with purpose.
Champion character
Sportsmanship, commitment and integrity on the field and beyond it.