The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of the Week 9 Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions™. Eight players are recognized for outstanding play during their respective games on Friday, October 15, 2021: Ricardo Alaniz (Sr. RB, Santa Cruz); Samuel Brown (Jr. WR, Marana); Brandon Craddock (Sr. LB, Sandra Day O’Connor); Zach Hammett (Sr. RB, River Valley); Adryan Lara (Sr. QB, Desert Edge); Tristan Monday (Sr. DE, Saguaro); Elijah Warner (Sr. QB, Brophy; and Demond Williams (So. QB, Basha).
Seven of the eight players were named on the 55-player Week 3 Watch List™ released on September 7, 2021. All eight players will receive their Nomination Medallions at an upcoming school event this week. By earning Ed Doherty Award Nomination Medallions™, they will attend the end of season Ed Doherty Award Luncheon on December 18, 2021, where one athlete will become the recipient of the Ed Doherty Award.
Details on their individual performances on October 15th are as follows:
Ricardo Alaniz – Sr. RB, Santa Cruz
The defending 2A champs are hitting their stride after a 28-17 win over Sequoia Pathway. Alaniz is one of the top rushers in the state and delivered his 4th 200+yd rushing effort of the season with 241yds on 24 carries and 2TDs.
Samuel Brown – Jr. WR, Marana
In the Tigers 36-35 win over Sunnyside, Brown was the favorite target for QB Elijah Joplin hauling in 14 receptions for 178yds and TD.
Brandon Craddock – Sr. LB, Sandra Day O’Connor
Craddock, one of the top tacklers in the state, helped the Eagles get back into the win column by setting a defensive tone early as O'Connor built a 35-0 lead en route to a 49-27 victory over Shadow Ridge. He finished the night with 14 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery and 24yds rushing on 2 carries.
Zack Hammett – Sr. RB, River Valley
The state's leading rusher was in top form as the Dust Devils battled Yuma Catholic to the wire in a 29-23 loss. Hammett had 29 carries for 233yds and 2TDs, and added a 33yd TD pass.
Adryan Lara – Sr. QB, Desert Edge
The senior QB became the all-time passer leader in 5A (9,692yds) while leading the Scorpions to a 33-20 win over Ironwood. Lara finished 24/39 passing with 343yds and 3TDs.
Tristan Monday – Sr. DE, Saguaro
In the Sabercats 24-7 win over Sierra Canyon (CA), Monday was a menace on defense, recording 9 tackles, forced a fumble, 4 tackles for loss, 2 4th Q sacks and a QB Hurry.
Elijah Warner – Sr. QB, Brophy
Warner, who missed all but one game of his junior year with an injury, led the Broncos to a comeback 28-27 win over Chaparral. He completed 27/43 passes for 276yds and 3TDs, including the tying TD in the final minute.
Demond Williams – So. QB, Basha
In Basha's 48-21 win over Mountain Pointe, Williams showed his dual threat ability going 15/19 passing for 183yds and 3TDs, while adding another 108yds on 8 carries and a TD.
To learn more about the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club and to purchase tickets to the Ed Doherty Award Luncheon, visit http://www.gcsgridiron.com/.
About Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is the steward of the Ed Doherty Award and is the most meaningful advocate of high school football in the State of Arizona. The mission of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is to represent Arizona amateur athletics by bringing national attention to the extraordinary qualities of our young people and serve in the pursuit of athletic achievement, academic advancement and greater social affinity.
About the Ed Doherty Award
For 35 years, the Ed Doherty Award has been the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor and is awarded annually to the state’s most outstanding high school football player by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club. The Ed Doherty Award recognizes the player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winner of the award epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. In addition to on-field performance, the Ed Doherty Award recognizes the well-rounded accomplishments of community involvement, school pride, and academics.
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