Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 10 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Fourteen players from 11 Arizona schools earn medallions and become candidates for Arizona’s top football honor
PHOENIX (October 28, 2026) — The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced 14 recipients of the 2026 Week 10 Ed Doherty Award Medallions, recognizing performances from games played October 22–23.
“Eight touchdowns from one quarterback, four interceptions from one defender, and five touchdowns from a player who scored as both a receiver and a returner. These are performances that deserve to be celebrated. We’re also proud to recognize the offensive linemen whose work makes big nights possible. This group gives us a lot to celebrate about Arizona high school football, and we look forward to honoring each player with his school and teammates.”
Nikki Balich, Executive Director, Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Week 10 honorees are Kody Dodson (Chandler Prep); Marcus Escobedo (Maryvale); Javion Carter (Verrado); Isaiah Neloms and Luke Cardis (San Tan Charter); Maximus Harder (Ironwood Ridge); Hajj Brown (Desert Edge); Bernard Butler (South Mountain); Kevon Wright (Heritage Academy–Mesa); Noah Roberts, Jake Hildebrand, and DaJohn Yarborough (Basha); Cole Douglas (Cactus); and David Puig (Rio Rico).
Each recipient will be presented with his medallion at his respective school and is now in the running for the 2026 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player. The award recipient will be announced following the conclusion of the season. For more information, visit www.azsportsent.com or call 480.517.9700.
Week 10 Medallion Winners
Fourteen student-athletes earned Week 10 Ed Doherty Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Kody Dodson
Chandler PrepDodson completed 16 of 21 passes for 360 yards and 6 touchdowns without an interception in a 54–13 win over Pima. He also rushed 8 times for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns, accounting for 8 total touchdowns, and added 1 solo tackle.
Marcus Escobedo
MaryvaleEscobedo completed 11 of 17 passes for 275 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 41–0 win over Carl Hayden Community. He also added 6 rushing yards on 1 carry.
Javion Carter
VerradoCarter intercepted 4 passes for 60 return yards and a touchdown in a 67–28 win over Tolleson. He also recorded 2 tackles, including 1 solo tackle and 1 tackle for loss.
Isaiah Neloms
San Tan CharterNeloms caught 9 passes for 301 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 61–24 win over St. Johns.
Maximus Harder
Ironwood RidgeHarder completed 15 of 20 passes for 230 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception, in a 40–34 win over Tucson High Magnet School. He also rushed 23 times for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns, finishing with 446 total yards and 5 total touchdowns.
Hajj Brown
Desert EdgeBrown caught 5 passes for 134 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 69–0 win over Kellis.
Bernard Butler
South MountainButler caught 5 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown and returned 2 interceptions for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 50–14 win over Trevor G. Browne. He also recorded 2 solo tackles, both for loss, returned 6 punts for 172 yards, and added 3 rushing yards on 1 carry.
Luke Cardis
San Tan CharterCardis completed 15 of 17 passes for 436 yards and 5 touchdowns, with 1 interception, in a 61–24 win over St. Johns. He also rushed twice for 31 yards, finishing with 467 total yards.
Kevon Wright
Heritage Academy–MesaWright recorded 8 tackles, including 5 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks in a 30–19 win over Fountain Hills. He also added 1 quarterback hurry.
Noah Roberts
BashaRoberts rushed 17 times for 179 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 42–17 win over Brophy College Prep. He also caught 1 pass for 3 yards.
Cole Douglas
CactusDouglas caught 2 passes for 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, returned a kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown, and returned 2 punts for 59 yards and another touchdown in a 67–6 win over West Point. He finished with 252 all-purpose yards and 4 total touchdowns.
David Puig
Rio RicoPuig caught 4 passes for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns, returned 2 kickoffs for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns, and returned a punt 54 yards for another touchdown in a 55–26 win over Cholla. He also rushed once for 10 yards and recorded 4 tackles (3 solo), finishing with 329 all-purpose yards and 5 total touchdowns.
Jake Hildebrand
BashaHildebrand earned a Week 10 medallion for his play on Basha’s offensive line as the Bears defeated Brophy College Prep 42–17. The Arizona State commit stands 6 feet 5½ inches tall and weighs 311 pounds.
DaJohn Yarborough
BashaYarborough joined Basha teammates Noah Roberts and Jake Hildebrand among the Week 10 recipients following the Bears’ 42–17 win over Brophy College Prep. The California commit stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 340 pounds.
About the Ed Doherty Award
The Ed Doherty Award serves 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 (GCSGC) 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 prep football player at the end of each season, and in 2024 introduced the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, now given annually to the state’s top girls’ flag football player. Through these initiatives, the club celebrates individual 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 also the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. The commission is also co-owner and strategic partner for Section 7, one of the most prestigious boys' and girls' high school basketball recruiting events in the country. For more information on the ASEC, please call 480.517.9700 or visit www.azsportsent.com.
For more information, call 480.517.9700 or visit azsportsent.com.