Arizona Sports & Entertainment Commission Announces Week 8 Medallion Recipients for 2026 Ed Doherty Award
Benson, Casteel, Chandler Prep, Hayden, Horizon, Marana, McClintock, Millennium, and Notre Dame Prep Home to Medallion Recipients, Candidates for Arizona's Top Prep Football Player
PHOENIX (October 13, 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 8 Ed Doherty Award Medallions, recognizing outstanding performances from Week 8 action.
“Outstanding performances from around the state were rewarded for their hard work. The road to the Ed Doherty Award is heating up and Arizona’s best are making their case every Friday night.”
Mark Earle, Co-Chairman of the Ed Doherty Award
The Week 8 honorees include Vedder Wolfley (Jr., Edge, Horizon); D’Mari Bryant (Sr., ATH, Millennium); Decker Haskins-Smith (Sr., RB, Notre Dame Prep); Tee Smith (Sr., QB, Casteel); Ryan Garner (Sr., RB, Hayden); Rene Lorta (Sr., RB, Benson); Seaton Lobato (So., QB, McClintock); Aaron Crawford (Class of 2027, WR, Chandler Prep); and Jeffrey Smith III (Jr., RB/LB, Marana).
Each nominee will be presented with his medallion at his respective school this week and is now in the running for the 2026 Ed Doherty Award, annually recognizing Arizona's most outstanding high school football player. This year's recipient will be announced at a special luncheon for the Top 10 nominees following the conclusion of the season. For more information on the award, please visit www.azsportsent.com, or call 480.517.9700.
Week 8 Medallion Winners
Nine student-athletes earned Week 8 Ed Doherty Award Medallions and entered the qualified award pool.
Vedder Wolfley
Horizon High SchoolWolfley recorded 10 tackles (5 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 pass defended, and 1 forced fumble against Cactus Shadows.
D’Mari Bryant
Millennium High SchoolBryant rushed 11 times for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns against Tolleson.
Decker Haskins-Smith
Notre Dame PrepHaskins-Smith rushed 19 times for 221 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding a 2-yard reception against Chaparral.
Tee Smith
Casteel High SchoolSmith completed 17 of 21 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns, with no interceptions, and rushed 10 times for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns against Desert Vista.
Ryan Garner
Hayden High SchoolGarner rushed 17 times for 393 yards and 7 touchdowns, added 2 receptions for 30 yards, and returned 2 kickoffs for 130 yards and a touchdown against Cicero Prep Academy. He also recorded 10 punt return yards, 3 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass defended, and a two-point conversion.
Rene Lorta
Benson High SchoolLorta rushed 22 times for 279 yards and 5 touchdowns, added 4 receptions for 20 yards, and totaled 83 kickoff return yards against Desert Christian.
Seaton Lobato
McClintock High SchoolLobato completed 18 of 22 passes for 341 yards and 6 touchdowns against Goldwater.
Aaron Crawford
Chandler PrepCrawford caught 5 passes for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns, returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown, and recorded 3 tackles (1 solo) against ALA–Anthem South.
Jeffrey Smith III
Marana High SchoolSmith rushed 8 times for 181 yards and 5 touchdowns while recording 14 tackles (9 solo) against Casa Grande.
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.