Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 4 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Chandler, Crismon, Desert Edge, Higley, Mesquite, Pueblo and Trivium Prep are home to the first nine medallion recipients of the 2026 season
PHOENIX (September 16, 2026) — The Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission (ASEC) and its managed entity, the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC), have announced the recipients of the 2026 Week 4 Ed Doherty Award Medallions, recognizing outstanding performances from Week 3 action.
The Week 4 honorees are Anthony Palka of Higley, Blake Roskopf of Desert Edge, Eason Hopper of Mesquite, Will Mencl of Chandler, Jai Jones of Chandler, Roman Otero of Pueblo, Ben Wolfley of Trivium Prep, Iona Kupu of Chandler and Walker Higbee of Crismon.
“This first round of voting for the Ed Doherty Award medallion winners showcased the incredible talent across Arizona high school football. With nine outstanding winners representing special teams, defense and explosive offensive play, we’re proud to recognize these young men and their accomplishments. There were so many good matchups, we are in for an exciting season.”
Mark Earle, chairman of the Ed Doherty Award
Each recipient will be presented with his medallion at his respective school and is now in the running for the 2026 Ed Doherty Award. This year’s recipient will be announced at a special luncheon for the Top 10 nominees following the conclusion of the season.
Week 4 Medallion Winners
Nine student-athletes earned the first Ed Doherty Award Medallions of the 2026 season.
Anthony Palka
Higley High SchoolRushed 14 times for 94 yards and five touchdowns, with seven receptions for 108 yards in a 43–42 win over Casteel.
Blake Roskopf
Desert Edge High SchoolCompleted 18 of 32 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a 46–7 win over Notre Dame Prep, adding 16 rushing yards on five carries.
Eason Hopper
Mesquite High SchoolRecorded 15 total tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one pass defended in a 30–28 win over Maryvale.
Will Mencl
Chandler High SchoolCompleted 24 of 35 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns, adding 14 rushing yards and one touchdown in a 42–10 win over Salpointe Catholic.
Jai Jones
Chandler High SchoolCaught 11 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception and three passes defended in a 42–10 win over Salpointe Catholic.
Roman Otero
Pueblo High SchoolCompleted 11 of 17 passes for 350 yards and seven touchdowns in a 56–7 win over Douglas.
Ben Wolfley
Trivium PrepRushed 10 times for 161 yards and five touchdowns, adding two total tackles including one tackle for loss in a 52–0 win over Highland Prep.
Iona Kupu
Chandler High SchoolRecorded 14 total tackles, four tackles for loss, one quarterback hurry, one pass defended and one blocked punt in a 42–10 win over Salpointe Catholic.
Walker Higbee
Crismon High SchoolRushed 20 times for 266 yards and four touchdowns in a 37–22 win over Blue Ridge.
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.