ASEC Announces 2026 Ed Doherty Award Week 3 Watch List; Charlie Ragle Joins Gridiron Club as Co-Chair
Watch list recognizes 105 student-athletes across Arizona’s 2A through 6A conferences
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Sept. 8, 2026): The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club, today announced the 2026 Ed Doherty Award Week 3 Watch List, recognizing 105 high school football players across Arizona’s 2A through 6A conferences.
The watch list recognizes players selected for their standout performances during the 2025 season, as well as their leadership, character and commitment to excellence, reflecting the legacy of Coach Ed Doherty.
“Every name on this list represents a young man whose hard work and dedication deserve to be celebrated. We’re excited to watch these student-athletes compete, lead their teams and make their schools and communities proud this season.”
Nikki Balich, executive director of the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission and the Ed Doherty Award
Players will be evaluated weekly throughout the 2026 season. Beginning Sept. 16, outstanding performances will be recognized with Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions presented during on-campus ceremonies. Players not on the watch list remain eligible for nomination. A weekly medallion is required to qualify for the final award pool.
The recipient of the 2026 Ed Doherty Award, honoring Arizona’s most outstanding high school football player, will be announced Dec. 12, 2026.
The Gridiron Club also announced that Charlie Ragle has joined the organization as co-chair alongside Rob Yowell and Mark Earle.
Ragle led Chaparral High School in Scottsdale to three consecutive state championships from 2009 through 2011, compiling a 63-7 record over five seasons as head coach. His coaching career also includes roles at the University of Arizona, California, Idaho State and Arizona State.
“Arizona high school football has been a big part of my life, and I’m excited for the opportunity to give back. I look forward to working with Rob, Mark and the committee to recognize deserving student-athletes and contribute to the continued success of the Ed Doherty Award.”
Charlie Ragle, co-chair of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The club also launched its new website, FootballArizona.com, bringing together the watch list, weekly medallion updates, past winners, voting forms, award information and club news.
2026 Ed Doherty Award Week 3 Watch List
Players are grouped by conference and alphabetized by last name.
2A Conference
9 players| Player | Position | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamerrius Anthony | QB | Sr. | Cortez |
| Cohen Barney | QB | Jr. | Benson |
| Kaleb Cooke | FB | Sr. | Willcox |
| Dom Dickerson | WR/DB | Sr. | Scottsdale Christian |
| Ezra Hall | WR | Sr. | Trivium Prep |
| Xavier Lopez | RB/LB/DB | Sr. | Tombstone |
| Caleb Murphy | WR/DB | Sr. | Scottsdale Christian |
| Braylon Rupp | WR/CB | Jr. | Page |
| Ben Wolfley | ATH | Sr. | Trivium Prep |
3A Conference
9 players| Player | Position | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dandre Dickerson Jr. | RB | Jr. | Valley Christian |
| Louis Evans | WR | Sr. | ALA-Mesa North |
| Race Pinneo | QB | Sr. | Pusch Ridge |
| Xavier Robinson | DB/WR | Sr. | Payson |
| Bodhi Sanford | QB | Jr. | Sabino |
| Christian Sorenson | WR/LB | Jr. | Benjamin Franklin |
| Parker Whisman | QB | Jr. | Safford |
| Corbin Wood | RB | Jr. | Show Low |
| Gavin Wyler | QB | Sr. | Benjamin Franklin |
4A Conference
11 players| Player | Position | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dionte Brandon | RB | Fr. | Maryvale |
| Anthony Cannon | WR/SS | Sr. | St. Mary's |
| Will Forte | DB | Sr. | Shadow Ridge |
| Christian Garcia | RB | Sr. | Marcos de Niza |
| Jakiem Gipson | ATH | So. | Marcos de Niza |
| Jon'te Jones | RB | Sr. | Bradshaw Mountain |
| Jacob LaDuke | QB | Sr. | Snowflake |
| Daryl Little II | ATH | Jr. | Thunderbird |
| Kevin Smith | TE/DE | So. | Maryvale |
| Dontay Tyson | WR | Sr. | Peoria |
| Christian Zarate | RB | Jr. | Peoria |
5A Conference
25 players| Player | Position | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jax Breslo | WR | Sr. | Chaparral |
| D'Mari Bryant | RB | Sr. | Millennium |
| Drake Davis | RB | Jr. | Mountain View Marana |
| Mikyal Davis | DB | Sr. | Desert Edge |
| Jaelyn Easterling-Flores | DB | Jr. | Desert Edge |
| Jalanie George | DE | Jr. | Desert Edge |
| Nicholas Gonzalez | LB | Jr. | Mountain Pointe |
| Chase Grohman | OL | Sr. | ALA-Gilbert North |
| Decker Haskins-Smith | RB | So. | Notre Dame Prep |
| JJ Horne | RB | Sr. | Arizona College Prep |
| Sam Jenkins | DT | Sr. | Notre Dame Prep |
| Jonah Lubno | QB | Sr. | Campo Verde |
| Ben Matecki | QB | Jr. | Casa Grande |
| Jamiere McKinney | RB | Jr. | Mountain Pointe |
| Gunnar Perry | LB | Sr. | Cactus Shadows |
| Kelton Rogers | RB | Sr. | Sunnyslope |
| Blake Roskopf | QB | Sr. | Desert Edge |
| Zerek Sidney | WR | Sr. | Desert Edge |
| Jeffrey Smith III | RB/LB | Jr. | Marana |
| Tiki Teeples | DL | Sr. | Canyon View |
| Ryan Trocki | QB | So. | Chaparral |
| Luca Ugenti | LB | Sr. | Chaparral |
| Chase Valdez | QB | Jr. | Verrado |
| Jayce Wilson | RB | Sr. | Chaparral |
| Jace Wright | WR | Sr. | Notre Dame Prep |
6A Conference
51 players| Player | Position | Year | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylee Abraham | RB | Jr. | Centennial |
| Jeremy Adeyanju | RB | Sr. | Sandra Day O'Connor |
| Kacey Allen | SS | Jr. | Hamilton |
| Kingston Anetema | ATH | Sr. | Mesa |
| Amos Augustine | WR | Jr. | Perry |
| Jaden Baldwin | WR | Sr. | Basha |
| Nolan Balke | P | Sr. | Casteel |
| Dom Barjona | QB | Sr. | Williams Field |
| Mikey Barth | K | Sr. | Basha |
| LeGarrette Blount Jr. | CB | Jr. | Mountain Pointe |
| Lance Briggs Jr. | RB | Sr. | Mesa |
| TK Cunningham | Edge | Sr. | Basha |
| Richie Dexter | OT | Sr. | Hamilton |
| Marc Duerson | LB | Sr. | Basha |
| Nasim Eason | DB | Sr. | Higley |
| Luke Farrell | QB | Sr. | Corona del Sol |
| Keaton Fields | DB | Jr. | Hamilton |
| Ian Fullmer | DE/LB | Jr. | Pinnacle |
| Jimmy Guzman | ATH | Jr. | Tolleson |
| Jason Haines | QB | So. | Liberty |
| Jake Hildebrand | OL | Sr. | Basha |
| Titus Hill | QB | Jr. | Centennial |
| Torrin Hill | TE | Jr. | Centennial |
| Jai Jones | WR | Sr. | Chandler |
| Tye Kennedy | OL | Sr. | Mesa Mountain View |
| Derrick LeBlanc Jr. | DE | Sr. | Hamilton |
| Benjamin Lowther | OT | Sr. | Centennial |
| Donovan McNabb Jr. | WR | Sr. | Brophy College Prep |
| Will Mencil | QB | Sr. | Chandler |
| Cage Moore | K | So. | Mesa |
| Makai Nelson | WR | Jr. | Basha |
| Ryder Noche | WR | Sr. | Brophy College Prep |
| Roye Oliver III | WR | Sr. | Hamilton |
| Preston Patterson | LB | Sr. | Mesa Mountain View |
| Aiden Ramos | LB | Sr. | Pinnacle |
| Noah Roberts | RB | Sr. | Basha |
| Jake Rogers | QB | Sr. | Basha |
| David Rushing | WR | Sr. | Salpointe Catholic |
| Samual Schiermyer | RB | Jr. | Desert Vista |
| Talan Scott | TE | Sr. | ALA-Queen Creek |
| Jax Sculley | QB | Jr. | Hamilton |
| Lash Silva | SS | Sr. | Pinnacle |
| Tarik Slaughter | WR | Jr. | Pinnacle |
| Trey Smith | WR/DB | Sr. | Williams Field |
| Kael Snyder | QB | Sr. | Perry |
| Sire Stewart | LT | Sr. | Chandler |
| Elijah Toms | DB | Sr. | Desert Vista |
| Landen Wade | DL | Jr. | Basha |
| Dax White | LB | Sr. | Higley |
| Cooper Yackley | RB | Sr. | Shadow Ridge |
| Dajohn Yarborough | OL | Sr. | Basha |
About the Ed Doherty Award
The Ed Doherty Award is Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor, presented annually to the state’s most outstanding player on and off the field. The award recognizes exceptional athletic ability, diligence, perseverance, hard work and integrity, along with a commitment to academics, community and school pride.
About the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is Arizona’s leading advocate for high school football, dedicated to recognizing the state’s top student-athletes. The club presents the Ed Doherty Award and the Arizona High School Flag Football Player of the Year Award, celebrating athletic, academic and leadership achievements while promoting Arizona’s rich football tradition.
About the Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission
The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988. ASEC collaborates with hundreds of partners to bring national and international sporting events to Arizona, support the promotion of existing events and Arizona sports teams, recruit and organize volunteers for large-scale sporting events, and develop youth sports programs. ASEC assumed oversight of the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Grand Canyon State Games and Lori Piestewa National Native American Games in 2012. ASEC was also the founding organization and owner of the 2015 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. In 2025, the commission became co-owner and strategic partner of Section 7, one of the country’s premier boys’ and girls’ high school basketball recruiting events.
For more information, call 480.517.9700 or visit azsportsent.com.