Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 12 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Nineteen players from 17 Arizona schools earn medallions and become candidates for Arizona’s top high school football honor
PHOENIX (November 11, 2026) — The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced 19 Week 12 recipients of the 2026 Ed Doherty Award Medallions. The honorees were selected for standout performances in games played November 5–7 or for their body of work this season.
“This week, we get to celebrate what a player can do in one night and what he can build over an entire season, We saw a player score on offense and special teams, a linebacker make 18 tackles in a close game, and players whose consistency shows up in every line of their season totals. Each of these 19 athletes earned a moment to celebrate with the teammates and coaches who helped him get there.”
Nikki Balich, Executive Director, Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Week 12 honorees are Ryder Noche and Noah Stewart (Brophy College Prep); Deakon Rozema (ALA–Queen Creek); Brecken Garday and Jason Haines (Liberty); Kingston Anetema (Mesa); Jesus Enriquez (Pueblo); Tye Kennedy (Mountain View–Mesa); Carter Camac (Highland); Cayl Cox-Liggins (Queen Creek); Colton Fahndrich (Sandra Day O’Connor); Jax Sculley (Hamilton); Lucas Leist (Lee Williams); Aidan Whitaker (McClintock); Andrew Godoy (Desert View); Preston Carney (Sunrise Mountain); Torrin Hill (Centennial); Jack Andrews (Mica Mountain); and Cody Curley (Chinle).
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 12 Medallion Winners
Nineteen student-athletes earned Week 12 Ed Doherty Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Ryder Noche
Brophy College PrepNoche recorded 63 receiving yards, 49 rushing yards and 127 kickoff return yards in a 47–29 win over Higley. He scored three touchdowns, one each as a receiver, rusher and returner.
Deakon Rozema
ALA–Queen CreekRozema rushed four times for 201 yards and four touchdowns in a 54–22 win over Red Mountain.
Brecken Garday
LibertyGarday recorded 18 tackles (eight solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hurries and one pass defended in Liberty’s 21–14 win over Centennial.
Kingston Anetema
MesaAnetema recorded 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a 28–14 win over Williams Field. In 10 games this season, he caught 72 passes for 1,156 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Jesus Enriquez
PuebloEnriquez caught 53 passes for 1,181 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 games this season.
Tye Kennedy
Mountain View–MesaKennedy, a Washington commit, is listed at 6 feet 4 inches and 270 pounds. According to the Rivals recruiting comparison, 247Sports ranked him No. 49 at his position and No. 12 in Arizona.
Noah Stewart
Brophy College PrepStewart completed 14 of 26 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in a 47–29 win over Higley.
Carter Camac
HighlandCamac recorded 80 tackles (41 solo), 34.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in 10 games this season. His submitted season totals also include 10 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Cayl Cox-Liggins
Queen CreekCox-Liggins caught six passes for 120 yards and three touchdowns in Queen Creek’s 42–14 win over Casteel.
Colton Fahndrich
Sandra Day O’ConnorFahndrich rushed for 176 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 10.4 yards per carry in a 38–23 win over Mountain Ridge.
Jason Haines
LibertyHaines completed 150 of 221 passes for 2,145 yards and 21 touchdowns with five interceptions in nine games this season.
Jax Sculley
HamiltonSculley completed 139 of 227 passes for 1,816 yards and 20 touchdowns with four interceptions in 10 games this season.
Lucas Leist
Lee WilliamsLeist rushed 184 times for 2,332 yards and 30 touchdowns in 11 games this season, averaging 212 rushing yards per game.
Aidan Whitaker
McClintockWhitaker caught 61 passes for 1,072 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 games this season.
Andrew Godoy
Desert ViewGodoy completed 126 of 175 passes for 2,138 yards and 22 touchdowns with one interception in 10 games this season.
Preston Carney
Sunrise MountainCarney recorded 119 tackles (65 solo), 19 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 11 games this season. He also returned an interception for 36 yards.
Torrin Hill
CentennialHill caught 47 passes for 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games this season.
Jack Andrews
Mica MountainAndrews recorded 51 tackles (22 solo), 18 tackles for loss, 15 sacks and three quarterback hurries in 10 games this season. He also caught one pass for 12 yards.
Cody Curley
ChinleCurley rushed 182 times for 1,745 yards and 26 touchdowns in nine games this season. On defense, he recorded 68 tackles (23 solo), six tackles for loss and one sack.
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.