Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 11 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Eleven players from 11 Arizona schools earn medallions and become candidates for Arizona’s top football honor
PHOENIX (November 4, 2026) — The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced 11 recipients of the 2026 Week 11 Ed Doherty Award Medallions, recognizing performances from games played October 29–30.
“This week’s recipients show how many ways a player can make the difference in a game. A defensive stop or a kick that changes field position can be just as important as a touchdown. We’re proud to recognize these 11 athletes and give their schools and teammates another reason to celebrate the work they’ve put into this season.”
Nikki Balich, Executive Director, Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Week 11 honorees are Kael Snyder (Perry); Christian Garcia (Marcos de Niza); Jake Rogers (Basha); Larry Moore Jr. (Youngker); Jaylee Abraham (Centennial); Keilor Pizarro (Lake Havasu); Carter Volrich (Casteel); Bryce Coston (Prescott); Esteban Antonsen-Ayala (Desert Edge); Nic Regina (Mica Mountain); and Tank Hamblin (Blue Ridge).
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 11 Medallion Winners
Eleven student-athletes earned Week 11 Ed Doherty Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Kael Snyder
PerrySnyder completed 18 of 26 passes for 322 yards and 4 touchdowns with 1 interception, adding 22 rushing yards on 3 carries in a 45–14 win over Mesa.
Christian Garcia
Marcos de NizaGarcia rushed 8 times for 100 yards and a touchdown in a 36–30 win over Tempe.
Jake Rogers
BashaRogers completed 18 of 24 passes for 303 yards and 4 touchdowns, adding 31 rushing yards on 5 carries in a 35–0 win over Salpointe Catholic.
Larry Moore Jr.
YoungkerMoore caught 6 passes for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns and returned 2 punts for 45 yards in a 49–28 win over Deer Valley. He finished with 312 all-purpose yards.
Jaylee Abraham
CentennialAbraham rushed 6 times for 119 yards and 3 touchdowns and caught a 9-yard touchdown pass in a 51–7 win over Boulder Creek. He finished with 128 yards from scrimmage and 4 total touchdowns.
Keilor Pizarro
Lake HavasuPizarro completed 18 of 23 passes for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns and rushed twice for 25 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 48–0 win over Somerton. He accounted for 349 total yards and 5 touchdowns.
Carter Volrich
CasteelVolrich recorded 13 tackles, including 6 solo stops, a tackle for loss and a sack in a 42–14 win over Corona del Sol. He also added 2 quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
Bryce Coston
PrescottCoston averaged 57.8 yards on 4 punts for 231 yards, with a long of 72 yards and 1 punt downed inside the 20, in a 31–28 win over Bradshaw Mountain. He also rushed 13 times for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns and completed his only pass attempt for 5 yards.
Esteban Antonsen-Ayala
Desert EdgeAntonsen-Ayala made all 3 field-goal attempts, with a long of 46 yards, and all 3 extra points in a 30–23 win over Millennium. He finished with 12 kicking points and added 7 kickoffs for 460 yards and 6 touchbacks.
Nic Regina
Mica MountainRegina recorded 11 tackles, including 5 solo stops, an interception and a fumble recovery in a 30–0 win over Sahuaro.
Tank Hamblin
Blue RidgeHamblin rushed 17 times for 182 yards and 5 touchdowns in a 43–15 win over Kingman. He also contributed 7 assisted tackles on defense.
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.